Cedar Creek • Tour the Battlefield • Battle Maps • The Armies
Stop Eight – Sheridan’s Arrival is northeast of Middleville on Klines Mill Road (see map below).
Sheridan was not with the army during the morning of the attack. He had been called to a conference in Washington, and had returned as far as Winchester the night before the battle. Uneasy at the distant sound of artillery off to the south in the morning, Sheridan hurried his breakfast and started for Cedar Creek with a small cavalry escort. He quickly ran into fugitives from the battle.
Leaving most of his escort to form a straggler line across the turnpike, he headed south. Along his way he rallied the men, telling them that by nighfall “they would be back in their camps” and would “make coffee on Cedar Creek”. Many of them turned around and followed him.
He arrived to find the Sixth Corps and his two cavalry division drawns up and ready for battle
Sheridan Arrives 10:30 a.m. wayside marker
Text from the marker
General Philip Sheridan arrived on the battlefield following his famous and dramatic “Ride” from his headquarters in Winchester. Along the way he ordered Captain (and future U.S. President) William McKinley to stop retreating units and direct them back to the fighting. At the end of his ride, near this point, Sheridan assessed the situation, rejected all suggestions to retreat, and then rode the length of his battle lines to restore his men’s morale. Soon after, he began to make plans for a counterattack. By early afternoon he had units in place, he and his commanders had a plan, and they were ready to attack.
Caption to the background image
The men sprang to their feet and cheered as only men under such circumstances can…. Hope and confidence returned at a bound. No longer did we merely hope the worst was over…. Now we all burned to attack the enemy, to drive him back, to retrieve our honor…. And every man knew that Sheridan would do it.
– Union soldier, on reaction to Sheridan’s return
Text from bottom right
Sketch by James E. Taylor, an artist for Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, 1864
Location of Stop Eight – Sheridan’s Arrival
Stop Eight and the Sheridan Arrives wayside marker are on Klines Mill Road.
From the northest edge of Middletown take the Valley Pik northwest 1 1/3 miles. Turn left (west) on Klines Mill Road for about a half mile. The wayside markeris on the bridge over Meadow Brook. There is a small pull off on the southwest side of the road. (39°03’10.6″N 78°15’46.8″W)
Coming from Stop Seven, return to the stop sign at the intersection (do not go over the train tracks, it is the wrong way). Turn right and continue northwest 0.8 mile on Cougill Road. Turn right onto Hites Road for 0.9 mile. Turn right onto Klines Mill Road for 0.9 mile.