Benson J. Lossing, Pictorial Field Book of the Civil War. Volume 3.

[370] plunder, eat, and rest after sixteen hours of hard service, and during that lull in the pursuit Wright re-formed his lines, and took a position for the purpose of changing front and advancing upon the foe, or making an orderly retreat toward Winchester.¹ It was now about ten o'clock. The Nationals had lost, since daybreak that morning, twelve hundred men made prisoners, besides a large number killed and wounded; also, camps and equipage, lines of defenses, and twenty-four pieces of artillery.

At that critical moment Sheridan appeared upon the field. He had returned from Washington, and slept at Winchester the night before. He had heard the booming of cannon up the valley early in the morning, but supposed it to be the noise of a reconnoissance only. After breakfast he mounted his horse, and moved leisurely out of the city southward. Before he reached Kernstown he met the van of the fugitives from the army, who told him a piteous tale of disaster. He immediately gave orders for parking the retreating train on each side of the turnpike. Then directing his escort to follow, he put his horse upon a swinging gallop, and at that pace rode nearly twelve miles, to the front. The fugitives became thicker and thicker every moment. He did not stop to chide or coax, but as his powerful horse thundered on over that splendid stone road, he waved his hat, and shouted to the cheering crowds: “Face the other way, boys! Face the other way! We are going back to our camp. We are going to lick them out of their boots!” The man and the act were marvelously magnetic in their effects. The tide of disordered troops was instantly turned and drawn after the young general by a wonderful and irresistible influence, akin to the faith of the Christian believer. His presence was an inspiration. As he

Operations at Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek.

dashed into the lines, and rode along the front of forming regiments, he gave to each stirring words of cheer and encouragement, and declared, in substance, to all, “We'll have all those camps and cannon back again.” The men believed him, and showing their faith by their works, secured a speedy fulfillment of the prophecy.