As the sequel shows,
Sheridan had concluded that
Early was pretty well used up, and had gone to
Washington.
General H. G. Wright, of the Sixth Corps, who commanded in his absence, was informed on the 18th that
Early had retreated, and the
Federal army lay with a feeling of security on the north bank of
Cedar creek; but
Early was only crouching to spring.
Unable to attack the fortified position of the enemy, he determined to take him by flank, and by surprise if possible.
He had sent
General Gordon, with
Captain Hotchkiss,
chief engineer, to the signal station on
Massanutton mountain, to examine the enemy's position, and General
[
307]
Pegram to examine the creek on the enemy's right.
Hotchkiss returned with a sketch designating the roads on the enemy's left and rear, and with information that it was practicable to move the infantry between the base of the mountain and the
Shenandoah river, into which the creek there empties to a ford below the mouth of the creek.
Next morning
General Gordon confirmed
Captain Hotchkiss's report, expressing confidence that an attack could be successfully made on the enemy's left and rear, and
Early resolved to move over the ground designated by
Hotchkiss's sketch to the assault.
That afternoon the division commanders met at
Early's headquarters for final instructions, and
Early directed that
Gordon should proceed immediately after dark to the foot of the mountain, crossing the river, and move for a house on the west side of the
Valley 'pike called ‘
Belle Grove,’ where
Sheridan had his headquarters, taking with him the Second Corps—namely,
Gordon's,
Ramseur's and
Pegram's Divisions.
Early in person, with
Kershaw and
Wharton and all the artillery, was to move along the
Valley 'pike from
Strausburg and attack the enemy's front and left as soon as
Gordon was engaged.
Rosser, with his own and
Wickham's Brigades, was to cross
Cedar creek on the enemy's right flank and attack simultaneously with
Gordon, while
Lomax, with his division, was to move to
Front Royal across the river, thence to the
Valley 'pike, and strike the enemy wherever the firing might indicate his presence.
Colonel William H. Payne, with his small brigade of 300 to 400 men, was to go with
Gordon and endeavor to capture
Sheridan, who was supposed to be at ‘
Belle Grove.’
