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Whittaker, Frederick, 1838-1889 / A complete life of Gen. George A. Custer: Major-General of Volunteers; Brevet Major-General, U.S. Army; and Lieutenant-Colonel, Seventh U.S. Calvery
(1876)
Chapter II. Cedar Creek, pp. [263]-270 ff.
Page [263]
CHAPTER II. CEDAR CREEK. FOR about ten days after "Woodstock Races," the cavalry and army in general enjoyed comparative quiet. Sheridan and Grant were in correspondence as to further movements, and it was almost determined by the latter that Sheridan should continue his advance and operate on Charlottesville and Gor- donsville, through Manassas Gap. Sheridan, on the other hand, wished to send back the Sixth Corps to Grant; and on the 10th of October, it actually started and Marched toward Front Royal, on its way to Washington. On the 12th, it was at Ashby's Gap; but the same day news came that Early had once more advanced to Fisher's Hill. The Federal army was encamped at Cedar Creek, near Strasburg, and the Sixth Corps was re- called. On the 13th, Rosser, not yet discouraged, caine down on the extreme right of the army, and drove in Custer's pickets. He had three brigades of cavalry and one of infantry, but re- tired when Custer moved out of camp. From thence to the 18th, all was quiet. Merritt and Custer sent frequent recon- noissances up the pike and the back road, but found no enemy nearer than Fisher's Hill. The Confederatescavalry was in the Luray Valley, and occasionally annoyed the extreme right of the army. Everything seemed to point in Wright's opinion to a quiet sulky enemy, with a possible attack onl their right rear. On the 16th, Sheridan was summoned to Washing- ton to see Secretary Stanton. As he was at Manassas Gap, and about taking the train, he received a note from General Wright of the Sixth Corps, who was left in command of the army. It
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