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General Jubal A. Early's Confederate Army attacked the Union forces at Cedar Creek, in Frederick, Shenandoah, and Warren Counties of Virginia, just before sunrise under a cover of dense fog, routing two of the divisions of the Army of the Shendoah. General Horatio G. Wright , the Union commander, was wounded but remained on the field. General Philip H. Sheridan, coming back from a conference in Washington, heard the cannonading from near Winchester, some twenty miles away. He picked up fleeing soldiers along the way and arrived on the battlefield by midmorning. He rallied the troops and by evening the battle was over.

General Sheridan's report of the famous ride:

"...and was unconscious of the true condition of affairs until about 9 o'clock, when having ridden through the town of Winchester, the sound of the artillery made a battle unmistakable, and on reaching Mill Creek, half a mile south of Winchester, the head of the fugitives appeared in sight, trains and men coming to the rear with appalling rapidity. I immediately gave directions to halt and park the trains at Mill Creek, and ordered the brigade at Winchester to stretch across the country and stop all stragglers. Taking twenty men from my escort, I pushed on to the front, leaving the balance under General Forsyth and Colonels Thom and Alexander to do what they could in stemming the torrent of fugitives. I am happy to say that hundreds of the men, when of reflection found they had not done themselves justice, came back with cheers. ...still none behaved more gallantly or exhibited greater courage than those who returned from the rear determined to reoccupy their lost camp. ..."

Reports of Maj. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan, U.S. Army, commanding Middle Military Division, including operations August 4, 1864-February 27, 1865: The War of the Rebellion, Vol. 43, Part I, pages 52-54.

Forces:

• Union - 31,944
• Confederate: - 15,265

Casualties:

• Union - 5,665 (644 killed, 3,430 wounded, 1,591 missing)
• Confederate - 2,910 (320 killed, 1,540 wounded, 1,050 missing)

Significance:

The battle resulted in a crushing defeat for the Confederacy. They were never again able to threaten Washington, D.C., through the Shenandoah Valley.

Source: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Union and Confederate Armies, Government Printing Office, 1893.

The participation of the Vermont Brigade in the battle (more Vermonters took part in this battle than any other in the war) is commemorated by a large wall-sized painting in the Cedar Creek Room on the second floor of the Vermont State HouseThe Vermont State House located in Montpelier, Vermont, is the capitol and seat of government of the U. state of Vermont. The current Greek revival structure is the third building on the same site to serve as the state house. It was designed in 1857 and o in MontpelierMontpelier is the capital of Vermont, a state of the United States of America. As of the 2000 census, it was the least populous U. state capital, with a population of 8,035. Barre and Montpelier form a small labor market area in the center of the state.. In 19971997 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar), and was designated the International Year of the Reef''. Events January January 3 NBC's Today Show Bryant Gumbel signs off for the last time January 8 Mister Rogers receives a star on t, proposed highway construction threatened a ridge where the 8th Vermont Regiment, commanded by Stephen Thomas, lost nearly two-thirds of its men in a heroic early morning stand. The proposal prompted the Vermont State Legislature to adopt a resolution asking Virginia to prevent building on the ridge [1].