Wright, Horatio Gouverneur (1820-1899) to Louisa M. Bradford Wright
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04065 Author/Creator: Wright, Horatio Gouverneur (1820-1899) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 26 October 1864 Pagination: 6 p. ; 20.5 x 12.6 cm. Order a Copy
Major General Wright replies to a letter from his wife while "In the field," following the Battle of Cedar Creek, Virginia. Mentions an enclosed dispatch (within the letter from his wife) from General Philip Sheridan. Referring to Sheridan's dispatch, writes, "It is highly colored, naturally enough perhaps, for he had come up from Winchester thro' the crowd of skulkers who had fled from the battle field! but when he arrived, the lines were forming, the retreat of all who would fight (and those who always run away...) had been arrested, and the preparations for an offensive movement had been commenced. I had always been confident that the moment our lines could be formed we could whip the Enemy... that we should have whipped the Enemy, if Sheridan had not come up, I have no doubt now as I had none then; but his coming up was a relief to me..." Reports getting shot through his chin and the brim of his hat during battle. Notes that his horse was shot, and describes the flight of Union troops who panicked during the battle. Instructs his wife to visit Mrs. Ricketts and the General (possibly General James B. Ricketts), and to inform the General that "the Old 6th fought splendidly, and saved the day- The 19th generally did well..." Refers to General Emory (William H. Emory). Sends his love to his children, and remarks "Mrs. Ricketts writes every day tho I dont expect you to do so much." Written on Headquarters, 6th Army Corps stationery.
At dawn, 19 October 1864, the Confederate Army of the Valley Federal army at Cedar Creek and routed the VIII and XIX Army Corps. Commander Major General Philip Sheridan arrived from Winchester to rally his troops, and, in the afternoon, launched a crushing counterattack, which recovered the battlefield.
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