Personal Memoirs of P. H. Sheridan, General, United States Army - Volume 2 , livre ebook

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pubOne.info present you this new edition. While occupying the ground between Clifton and Berryville, referred to in the last chapter of the preceding volume, I felt the need of an efficient body of scouts to collect information regarding the enemy, for the defective intelligence-establishment with which I started out from Harper's Ferry early in August had not proved satisfactory. I therefore began to organize my scouts on a system which I hoped would give better results than bad the method hitherto pursued in the department, which was to employ on this service doubtful citizens and Confederate deserters. If these should turn out untrustworthy, the mischief they might do us gave me grave apprehension, and I finally concluded that those of our own soldiers who should volunteer for the delicate and hazardous duty would be the most valuable material, and decided that they should have a battalion organization and be commanded by an officer, Major H. K. Young, of the First Rhode Island Infantry. These men were disguised in Confederate uniforms whenever necessary, were paid from the Secret-Service Fund in proportion to the value of the intelligence they furnished, which often stood us in good stead in checking the forays of Gilmore, Mosby, and other irregulars

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Histoire

USA

History of the Americas

American Civil War

États-Unis

Guerre de Sécession

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Publié par	Pub One Info
Date de parution	06 novembre 2010
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9782819942238
Langue	English

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CHAPTER I.
ORGANIZING SCOUTS—MISS REBECCA WRIGHT—IMPORTANTINFORMATION—DECIDE TO MOVE ON NEWTOWN—MEETING GENERALGRANT—ORGANIZATION OF THE UNION ARMY—OPENING OF THE BATTLE OF THEOPEQUON—DEATH OF GENERAL RUSSELL —A TURNING MOVEMENT—A SUCCESSFULCAVALRY CHARGE—VICTORY—THREE LOYAL GIRLS—APPOINTED ABRIGADIER-GENERAL IN THE REGULAR ARMY —REMARKS ON THE BATTLE.
While occupying the ground between Clifton andBerryville, referred to in the last chapter of the precedingvolume, I felt the need of an efficient body of scouts to collectinformation regarding the enemy, for the defectiveintelligence-establishment with which I started out from Harper'sFerry early in August had not proved satisfactory. I thereforebegan to organize my scouts on a system which I hoped would givebetter results than bad the method hitherto pursued in thedepartment, which was to employ on this service doubtful citizensand Confederate deserters. If these should turn out untrustworthy,the mischief they might do us gave me grave apprehension, and Ifinally concluded that those of our own soldiers who shouldvolunteer for the delicate and hazardous duty would be the mostvaluable material, and decided that they should have a battalionorganization and be commanded by an officer, Major H. K. Young, ofthe First Rhode Island Infantry. These men were disguised inConfederate uniforms whenever necessary, were paid from theSecret-Service Fund in proportion to the value of the intelligencethey furnished, which often stood us in good stead in checking theforays of Gilmore, Mosby, and other irregulars. Beneficial resultscame from the plan in many other ways too, and particularly so whenin a few days two of my scouts put me in the way of getting newsconveyed from Winchester. They had learned that just outside of mylines, near Millwood, there was living an old colored man, who hada permit from the Confederate commander to go into Winchester andreturn three times a week, for the purpose of selling vegetables tothe inhabitants. The scouts had sounded this man, and, finding himboth loyal and shrewd, suggested that he might be made useful to uswithin the enemy's lines; and the proposal struck me as feasible,provided there could be found in Winchester some reliable personwho would be willing to co-operate and correspond with me. I askedGeneral Crook, who was acquainted with many of the Union people ofWinchester, if he knew of such a person, and he recommended a MissRebecca Wright, a young lady whom he had met there before thebattle of Kernstown, who, he said, was a member of the Society ofFriends and the teacher of a small private school. He knew she wasfaithful and loyal to the Government, and thought she might bewilling to render us assistance, but he could not be certain ofthis, for on account of her well known loyalty she was underconstant surveillance. I hesitated at first, but finally decidingto try it, despatched the two scouts to the old negro's cabin, andthey brought him to my headquarters late that night. I was soonconvinced of the negro's fidelity, and asking him if he wasacquainted with Miss Rebecca Wright, of Winchester, he replied thathe knew her well. There upon I told him what I wished to do, andafter a little persuasion he agreed to carry a letter to her on hisnext marketing trip. My message was prepared by writing it ontissue paper, which was then compressed into a small pellet, andprotected by wrapping it in tin-foil so that it could be safelycarried in the man's mouth. The probability, of his being searchedwhen he came to the Confederate picketline was not remote, and insuch event he was to swallow the pellet. The letter appealed toMiss Wright's loyalty and patriotism, and requested her to furnishme with information regarding the strength and condition of Early'sarmy. The night before the negro started one of the scouts placedthe odd-looking communication in his hands, with renewedinjunctions as to secrecy and promptitude. Early the next morningit was delivered to Miss Wright, with an intimation that a letterof importance was enclosed in the tin-foil, the negro telling herat the same time that she might expect him to call for a message inreply before his return home. At first Miss Wright began to openthe pellet nervously, but when told to be careful, and to preservethe foil as a wrapping for her answer, she proceeded slowly andcarefully, and when the note appeared intact the messenger retired,remarking again that in the evening he would come for ananswer.
On reading my communication Miss Wright was muchstartled by the perils it involved, and hesitatingly consulted hermother, but her devoted loyalty soon silenced every otherconsideration, and the brave girl resolved to comply with myrequest, notwithstanding it might jeopardize her life. The eveningbefore a convalescent Confederate officer had visited her mother'shouse, and in conversation about the war had disclosed the factthat Kershaw's division of infantry and Cutshaw's battalion ofartillery had started to rejoin General Lee. At the time MissWright heard this she attached little if any importance to it, butnow she perceived the value of the intelligence, and, as her firstventure, determined to send it to me at once, which she did with apromise that in the future she would with great pleasure continueto transmit information by the negro messenger.
"SEPTEMBER 15, 1864.
"I learn from Major-General Crook that you are aloyal lady, and still love the old flag. Can you inform me of theposition of Early's forces, the number of divisions in his army,and the strength of any or all of them, and his probable orreported intentions? Have any more troops arrived from Richmond, orare any more coming, or reported to be coming?
“You can trust the bearer. ”
"I am, very respectfully, your most obedientservant,
“P. H. SHERIDAN, Major-General Commanding. ”
"SEPTEMBER 16, 1864.
"I have no communication whatever with the rebels,but will tell you what I know. The division of General Kershaw, andCutshaw's artillery, twelve guns and men, General Andersoncommanding, have been sent away, and no more are expected, as theycannot be spared from Richmond. I do not know how the troops aresituated, but the force is much smaller than represented. I willtake pleasure hereafter in learning all I can of their strength andposition, and the bearer may call again.
“Very respectfully yours, ” …………
Miss Wright's answer proved of more value to me thanshe anticipated, for it not only quieted the conflicting reportsconcerning Anderson's corps, but was most important in showingpositively that Kershaw was gone, and this circumstance led, threedays later, to the battle of the Opequon, or Winchester as it hasbeen unofficially called. Word to the effect that some of Early'stroops were under orders to return to Petersburg, and would startback at the first favorable opportunity, had been communicated tome already from many sources, but we had not been able to ascertainthe date for their departure. Now that they had actually started, Idecided to wait before offering battle until Kershaw had gone sofar as to preclude his return, feeling confident that my prudencewould be justified by the improved chances of victory; and then,besides, Mr. Stanton kept reminding me that positive success wasnecessary to counteract the political dissatisfaction existing insome of the Northern States. This course was advised and approvedby General Grant, but even with his powerful backing it wasdifficult to resist the persistent pressure of those whosejudgment, warped by their interests in the Baltimore and Ohiorailroad, was often confused and misled by stories of scouts (sentout from Washington), averring that Kershaw and Fitzhugh Lee hadreturned to Petersburg, Breckenridge to southwestern Virginia, andat one time even maintaining that Early's whole army was east ofthe Blue Ridge, and its commander himself at Gordonsville.
During the inactivity prevailing in my army for theten days preceding Miss Wright's communication the infantry wasquiet, with the exception of Getty's division, which made areconnoissance to the Opequon, and developed a heavy force of theenemy at Edwards's Corners. The cavalry, however, was employed agood deal in this interval skirmishing heavily at times to maintaina space about six miles in width between the hostile lines, for Iwished to control this ground so that when I was released from theinstructions of August 12, I could move my men into position forattack without the knowledge of Early. The most noteworthy of thesemounted encounters was that of McIntosh's brigade, which capturedthe Eighth South Carolina at Abraham's Creek September 13.
It was the evening of the 16th of September that Ireceived from Miss Wright the positive information that Kershaw wasin march toward Front Royal on his way by Chester Gap to Richmond.Concluding that this was my opportunity, I at once resolved tothrow my whole force into Newtown the next day, but a despatch fromGeneral Grant directing me to meet him at Charlestown, whither hewas coming to consult with me, caused me to defer action untilafter I should see him. In our resulting interview at Charlestown,I went over the situation very thoroughly, and pointed out with somuch confidence the chances of a complete victory should I throw myarmy across the Valley pike near Newtown that he fell in with theplan at once, authorized me to resume the offensive, and to attackEarly as soon as I deemed it most propitious to do so; and althoughbefore leaving City Point he had outlined certain operations for myarmy, yet he neither discussed nor disclosed his plans, myknowledge of the situation striking him as being so much moreaccurate than his own.
[Extract from “Grant's Memoirs, ” page 328.]
“…. Before starting I had drawn up a plan ofcampaign for Sheridan, which I had brought with me; but seeing thathe was so clear and so positive in his views, and so confident ofsuccess, I said nothing about this, and did