SHERIDAN'S RIDE
A Short Historical Account of the Greatest Ride Made During the Civil War
The battle of Cedar Creek occupies a particularly unique position in the history of the great war, in that it was not only one of the decisive battles of the great contest, but was one in which both armies were victorious, and both armies met defeat.
In the early morning of October 19, 1864, during Sheridan's absence, his army was completely surprised by a terrific onslaught of the enemy. At the first blush of dawn, the Southern Army, which had been advancing under the cover of darkness, dashed across the stream, swept over the breastworks, captured the batteries, and hurled them against the unsuspecting foe, many of whom were still asleep in their tents. The Federal generals tried to stem the impending disaster. In the gray mists of the early dawn, the legions of the South looked like phantom warriors, as the Northeners sprang to arms. There was a brief struggle, then panic and disorganization; the Union Army broke like a mill-dam, and poured across the fields, in utter rout and confusion, leaving their guns, accouterments, tents, etc., in their mad haste to retreat. The fields in the rear of the army were covered with wagons, ambulances, stragglers and fleeing soldiers. The Southern Army seemed willing to rest on the well-earned laurels of their early morning achievement, and did not pursue the Federal Army, considering what they had accomplished was "glory enough for one day."
Sheridan, on a return trip from Washington, had reached Winchester, 20 miles from his army headquarters. In the early morning of October 19, his well trained ear heard unmistakable thunder peals of artillery in the distance. Realizing that the battle was on at the front, he hastily saddled "Rienzi," his beautiful jet-black war charger, and on the broad highway, known as the Valley Turnpike, leading from Winchester south, he galloped with the speed of the hurricane, fast and faster. News from the field told him of the crushing defeat of his hitherto invincible regiments. As the Master and his coal-black charger, flecked with foam and dust, reached the scene of the disaster, the disheartened and demoralized troops greeted him with thunderous cheers.
The left of the road was held by Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes and his gallant brigade; while on the right stood Major William McKinley, commanding the remnants of his fighting regiment, the 26th Ohio. Both officers saluted Sheridan, who taking off his hat, dashed in a sweeping gallop to the crest of the field riding up and down in front of his lines, and shouting to his retreating soldiers, "Face the other way, boys; we are going back and recover our camps." The spirit of the magnetic Master and the spirit of the Charger, sent an inspiring electric thrill that permeated through the entire army. From the rear of the soldiers there suddnely arose, as from the earth, a line of regimental flags, which waved recognition to their leader. Color-bearers reassembled, straggling lines were re-formed. Eight thousand cavalry under the command of General Geo. A. Custer were made ready for the charge. The whole army, as one man, swept forward as an avalanche under the command of their peerless leader, in an overwheliming and vigorous attack of the enemy, recapturing prisoners, arms, camps, etc., and turned disaster into one of the most famous victories of the entire war.
In writing Sheridan's Ride as a musical composition, the Author has endeavored to make it a companion piece to his celebrated musical number, "Paul Revere's Ride," which is a universal favorite with every one who hears or plays it; and as the Poem of "Paul Revere's Ride," written by Henry W. Longfellow has become world renowned, so too has the poem of "Sheridan's Ride," by Thomas Buchanan Read become equally so, and in greater part, is as follows:
| 1 | Up from the South at break of day, Bringing to Winchester fresh dismay, The affrighted air with a shudder bore, Like a herald in haste, to the chieftain's door. The terrible grumble, and runble, and roar, Telling the battle was on once more. And Sheridan twenty miles away. |
2 | But there is a road from Winchester town, A good, broad highway leading down; And there through the flush of the morning light, A steed as black as the steeds of night Was seen to pass, as with eagle flight. As if he knew the terrible need, He stretched away with his utmost speed; Hills rose and fell; but his heart was gay, With Sheridan fifteen miles away. |
3 | Still sprung from those swift hoofs, thundering South The dust, like smoke from the cannon's mouth, Or the trail of a comet, sweeping faster and faster; The heart of the steed and the heart of the master Were beating like prisoners assaulting their walls, Impatient to be where the battlefield calls; Every nerve of the charger was strained to full play, With Sheridan only ten miles away. |
| 4 | Under his spurning feet, the road Like a narrow Alpine river flowed. And the landscape sped away behind Like an ocean flying before the wind, And the steed, like a bark fed with furnace fire, Swept on, with his wild eye full of ire. But lo! he is nearing his heart's desire; He is snuffing the smoke of the roaring fray, With Sheridan only five miles away. |
5 | The first that the general saw were the groups Of stragglers, and then retreating troops; What was done--what to do--a glance told him both, And striking his spurs, with a terrible oath, He dashed down the line, 'mid a storm of huzzas, And the wave of retreat checked its course there because The sight of the Master compelled it to pause. With foam and with dust the black charger was gray; By the flesh of his eye and his red nostril's play, He seemed to the whole army to say, "I've brought you Sheridan all the way From Winchester down to save the day." |
