Cedar Creek - Part2
October 19, 1864
Belle Grove Plantation
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This picture is from Rt. 11, or the Valley Pike, toward Belle Grove Plantation. The Confederate divisions advanced to the Valley Pike, and over this field to Belle Grove. Belle Grove was the Union army's headquarters, and contained the army's staff and wagon trains. The tree line on the far left marks the fortified line of Emory's XIX Corps, which faced Cedar Creek off the picture to the left. The small hill slightly to the right of the tree-line is where Davis's brigade of the XIX Corps briefly resisted the attack. The 114th NY of this brigade lost 115 of its 250 men in the battle. Near Belle Grove plantation near the center of the picture, VIII and XIX Corps survivors held off the Confederates for about half an hour, long enough for the wagon trains to flee.
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From Belle Grove to Red Hill
The power lines that you can vaguely make out on the left of the picture follow the road which passes Belle Grove and roughly follow the Confederate line of advance. The road dips into a hollow and intersects with Meadow Mills Road, which, along with Meadow Brook, parallels this hollow. Obscured by trees, Meadow Brook cuts through the hills Emory and the VI Corps were encamped on and flows into Cedar Creek.
Union resistance now centered on the ridge visible here beyond the Meadow Brook hollow, called Red Hill. The Union forces included VIII and XIX Corps survivors, but also the as yet un-engaged VI Corps of Ricketts which had camped on the hill. At about 7:30 A.M., this ridge was also evacuated, but this time the retreat was to the northeast, off the picture to the right, along the army's lines of communication.
From Northern End of Meadow Mills Road
With the Yankees withdrawing northeast, the Confederates now switched the axis of their advance, following the Federals along the axis of Meadow Mills Road, visible on the far right of the picture. Gordon's and Kershaw's Divisions advanced along this road while Ramseur's and Pegram's Divisions advanced along the Valley Pike atop a ridge labeled "Artillery Ridge" in the photo. (We'll see later why I've it such.) Although most of the Union army was in retreat, the Confederates found Getty's division buying time on a hill labeled "Cemetery Hill" in the picture.
Cemetery
Getty's division of the VI Corps was the last Union unit to withdraw from the Red Hill area, and Getty saw the opportunity to delay the Confederates by making a stand on this hill to the west of Middletown, which we've already seen from the Confederate perspective. He took up position at 8 A.M. while the rest of the army was reforming to the rear. Getty's flanks were somewhat protected by cavalry, so Early hurled most of his army directly at him. The Middletown Cemetery has held by Bidwell's brigade. All attacks on the Union position were thrown back, and sometimes counterattacked. Early then positioned 20 cannon on the Valley Pike on the hill visible in the distance on the right of the picture. The bombardment did not dislodge the Federals. Only when a flank attack seemed eminent did Getty order a retreat. He had given the Union army two hours to reform.
Final Confederate Line
Early followed the retreating troops, but did not attack the new Union position. Instead, he took up position along a road extending into the distance from the house visible on the left of the picture. The Confederate line continued to the Valley Pike, where this picture was take, but further to the rear, off the picture to the left. A lull set in, and General Sheridan reached the battlefield. Finally, at 4 P.M., inspired by Sheridan, the Union army attacked. The fight included action in this small valley as Union forces pressured the thin rebel line. Early's forces broke and ran, and Union cavalry pursued relentlessly. The victory was decisive, and Gen. Ramseur was mortally wounded during the retreat.
There was no longer a major Confederate threat in the valley, and many of Sheridan's troops were free for use around Petersburg. Fall turned into winter, which turned into spring. Sheridan once again advanced up the Valley, routing Early again at Waynesborough. He continued with his cavalry to Petersburg, where they were decisive in beating Lee at Five Forks.
topo map Kershaw's division crossed Cedar Creek at Route 635. Thoburn's men were on the hills to the northeast of there. McInturff's Ford across the Shenadoah was near a ravine along Route 611. Bowman's Ford was near where 611 makes a hard left turn. Gordon's column followed this road and deployed near the filtration plant and the Cooley Mansion just NNE of it. They struck the end of Emory's fortified line near the intersection of Route 11 and 840, and Wharton's division crossed Cedar Creek near where Rt. 11 now crosses. The Belle Grove plantation was along Route 727.
topo map After pushing past Belle Grove, the Confederates were held up on Red Hill north of Meadow Mills. Getty made his stand at Mount Caramel Cemetery. The final Confederate line was along Route 634, and its picture was taken from Rt. 11.