Battle of Cedar Creek: A U.S. Army force under Philip Sheridan destroys a Confederate army under Jubal Early.
The Battle of Cedar Creek, or Battle of Belle Grove, was fought on October 19, 1864, during the American Civil War. The fighting took place in the Shenandoah Valley of Northern Virginia, near Cedar Creek, Middletown, and the Valley Pike. Confederate Lieutenant General Jubal Early launched a surprise attack against the encamped army of Union Major General Philip Sheridan while Sheridan was away. What appeared to be a Confederate victory was reversed when Sheridan returned and rallied his men in the afternoon. The revived Union army drove away Early's men while capturing most of their artillery and wagons.
Early's surprise attack occurred before dawn in heavy fog and completely surprised the sleeping Union soldiers. Seven Union infantry divisions were forced to fall back, and Early captured over 1,000 prisoners and over 20 artillery pieces. By 10:00 am Early had what appeared to be a victory, but paused his attack to reorganize his forces. Sheridan, hearing distant sounds of artillery from Winchester, arrived at the battlefield around 10:30 am and rallied his retreating army. At 4:00 pm his army counterattacked, and Early's army was routed.
The battle ruined the Confederate army in the Shenandoah Valley, and it was never again able to maneuver down the valley to threaten the Union capital city of Washington, D.C. or northern states. The Shenandoah Valley had been a key producer of supplies for the Confederate army, and Early could no longer protect it. The Union victory aided the reelection of Abraham Lincoln, and along with earlier victories at Winchester and Fisher's Hill, won Sheridan lasting fame.