CEDAR CREEK II
David.Gettman October 30th, 2008
From now until October 19, the Second Cavalry with the rest of Merritt’s division was doing reconnaissance and picket duty as the army withdrew down the valley. On this date it took part in the battle of Cedar Creek at Middletown. The enemy attacked the pickets of the First Brigade at Cupp’s Ford and this unit was soon supported by the Reserve Brigade. As a result of the strong attack of the enemy there was much straggling on the left of the infantry line. The Fifth Cavalry and the Second Brigade were interposed to stop this by requiring the stragglers to form line as they moved to the rear. At about 10:00 a.m. the whole division was placed on the left of the infantry with the Reserve Brigade in the center of the division. This was done to stem the tide of the successful attack of the Confederates, who had just captured eighteen pieces of artillery from Crooks corps. Lieutenant Wells was soon wounded severely and this left only one officer, Captain Smith, on duty with the Second Cavalry.
General Wright reformed the Federal infantry and was preparing to attack when General Sheridan arrived from Washington. His presence on the battlefield is supposed to have raised the morale of the troops. The line was soon advanced, driving the enemy across the open country. During most of the day the Rebel artillery was so accurate the cavalry had difficulty in finding a place for the led horses. The entire cavalry division under Merritt later was ordered to make a mounted attack. Forming the brigades in column of regiments, Merritt moved forward to the charge in a resistless mass. The Second and Reserve Brigade galloped to Cedar Creek, crossed it and pursued the enemy to Fisher’s Hill. The Reserve Brigade commander, Colonel Lowell, fell mortally wounded. In the final attack, most of the enemy artillery was captured, thus more than offsetting the loss of Crook’s guns that morning. Near the end of the day’s fighting Captain Smith fell wounded and the Second Cavalry now was without an officer. It was attached temporarily to the First Cavalry under the command of Captain Baker, and then on the 20th moved out as usual in pursuit of the fleeing Confederates. The entire division pursued to Woodstock and the Reserve Brigade followed on to Edenburg without coming up to the enemy. In this battle the First Division under Merritt captured 389 prisoners, twenty-two cannon, and much property.
The Second Cavalry continued to do picket and reconnaissance duty with the Army of the Shenandoah until November 3. On this date it was detached and placed on guard duty protecting workmen who were building the military railroad from Harper’s Ferry to Winchester. Continue Reading »
