On October 17, unsatisfied with the initial plans, General John B. Gordon set out to find a possible alternative to Early's plan of attack. From atop the Shenandoah Peak and dressed as a farmer cutting corn stalks, Gordon could see not only "every road and habitation and hill and stream," but also "every piece of [Sheridan's] artillery, every wagon and tent and supporting line of troops" (Lewis, 1987, p. 141). After surveying the Yankee position, he found that if he could move a strong Confederate force through the thick woods and across the river, they could bag the entire Federal left. And after discovering a trail leading through the woods around the Union line, Gordon's idea was approved by Early.
The plan was as follows: Gordon was to attack the Union left with three divisions. Early would then coordinate an assault on the Union center along the Valley Pike. The two cavalry divisions under Rosser to the west and Lomax to the east would attack the Federal flanks. By nightfall on October 18, the plan was put into action.
Next Week: The Battle of Cedar Creek, Part II.
Sources
Hanson, H. (1961). The Civil War: A history. New York: Mentor.
McPherson, J.M. (1988). Battle cry of freedom: The Civil War era. New York: Ballantine Books.
Lewis, T.A. (1987). The Shenandoah in flames: The Valley Campaign of 1864. Alexandria, VA: Time-Life Books.
The copyright of the article Cedar Creek Part I: A Prelude to Battle - Page 2 in American Civil War is owned by . Permission to republish Cedar Creek Part I: A Prelude to Battle - Page 2 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
1.
Mar 2, 1999 2:41 AM
Hi, Mike, got your message, and sure am glad to see this!
Looks perfectly good so far! I won't spoil it by talking about the battle yet... just want to say to the readers- this is one Civil ...
-- posted by not_him_again
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