The Everything Civil War Book by Brooke C. Stoddard & Daniel P. Murphy

Author:Brooke C. Stoddard & Daniel P. Murphy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook, book
Publisher: Adams Media, Inc.
Published: 2009-07-15T00:00:00+00:00

The grandfather of World War II general George S. Patton was George S. Patton I. A graduate of the Virginia Military Institute and commander of the Twenty-second Virginia Infantry Regiment, he was mortally wounded at the Battle of Winchester in September 1864.

Grant wanted an aggressive commander and chose Phil Sheridan for the job. He told Sheridan to make the valley barren so that no cattle, pigs, or crops could be used to sustain Southern forces. This, of course, meant the destruction of farmers’ buildings and fields, but Grant felt it necessary, and the North sustained him.

Sheridan’s Attacks on Early

With about three times as many men as Early’s 15,000 Rebels, Sheridan set off toward the lower valley. His force defeated Early’s men at Winchester on September 19, and Early retreated up the valley. Sheridan’s army defeated Early again at Fisher’s Hill three days later, and Early retreated again. Sheridan set out destroying barns, cribs, stables, and other structures that sustained the valley’s rich agriculture.

Early sprang a surprise attack on Sheridan’s left flank at Cedar Creek on October 19. Sheridan himself was miles away at Winchester. He set off at a gallop toward Cedar Creek, rallying his men and getting them to turn and face the advancing Southerners. This celebrated “Sheridan’s Ride” helped turn the tide of battle. Early’s men were crushed by Sheridan’s counterattack. They would never be a force in the Shenandoah Valley again.

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