Person:Daniel Riel (5)

Daniel Riel, last battle in which he fought and died:

CEDAR Creek, VAOct. 19TH, 1864Cedar Creek, VA., Oct. 19, 1864. 6th and 19th Army Corps and Army of West Virginia. On the evening of the 18th the Confederate forces under Early occupied a position at Fisher's Hill, A Short distance south of Strasburg. The Union army was encamped about 5 Miles North, on the north bank of Cedar creek, in the vicinity of Middletown. The Army of West Virginia, commanded by Gen. George Crook, Lay West of the pike running from Middletown to Strasburg, probably a mile and a half north of the former, Thoburn's division (the 1st) occupying the extreme left. Along the pike and extending West from it lay the 19th Corps, Gen. William H. Emory commanding, and still further up the creek was the 6th corps, under command of Mail-Gen. Horatio G Wright, who, in the absence of Gen. Sheridan, was the Ranking Officer Still farther to the right and up the creek was Torbert's cavalry in three divisions, commanded by Gens. Merritt, Powell and Custer, respectively.The Federals had destroyed all the supplies between Cedar creek and Staunton, Making it necessary for Early to transport all his rations, feed, etc., from the Latter Place by wagons-a somewhat difficult task- and for several days the Confederates had been expected to either attack or fall back for supplies. Reconnaissances on the 18th showed no enemy in the immediate front, and it was generally believed that they had retreated up the valley. To make sure, however, Wright issued orders that evening for two brigades to make another reconnaissance the next morning. One of these was to move up the Strasburg Pike and the other was to take the Back road, some 3 Miles West and nearly parallel to the pike. Both were to move at dawn and to go forward until the enemy was found and strongly felt, in order to learn his intentions.From the signal station at the end of Three-top mountain, which overlooked all of Sheridan's Camps, Capt. Hotchkiss had on the 17th made a map of the Federal position, and it was from this map that Early planned his attack. At midnight, on the 18th, Kershaw and Wharton marched from Fisher's Hill to Strasburg, where they separated, Wharton continuing on up the pike to Hupp's Hill, While Kershaw Turned to the West Along A by-road leading to Bowman's Mill. Gordon, Pegram and Ramseur had marched several hours before, moving along the base of Three-top mountain to the North Fork of the Shenandoah at Bowman's Ford, where they crossed and gained position on the Union left. Rosser's command was moved by the Back road to attack the cavalry.At the first blush of dawn on the 19th the Federals were aroused from their slumbers by the roar of artillery and the rattle of musketry. The attack was commenced by Kershaw and fell upon Thoburn's division. Before the men had time to form, the Confederates, fired by the prospects of victory, were among them. The division was swept from its position, many of the men and 7 guns being captured. These were immediately turned upon the retreating troops. The corps commanders Wright, Emory and Crook, exerted themselves to form a line, with Hayes, and Kitching's divisions as A Base, West of the pike for the defence of the road. Pursuant to the order of the evening before Molineux's brigade was in line, ready to start upon its reconnaissance. This brigade was ordered by Emory to Cross the pike and take position on a wooded ridge, in order to support Crook, While Wright ordered two more brigades to the same locality. Had this movement been carried out it would no doubt have checked the advance of the enemy in the beginning of the engagement. But before the line could be formed Gordon and Ramseur suddenly debouched from the Woods West of the pike and struck the divisions of Hayes and Kitching on the flank. These divisions were without intrenchments of any kind and the men, already demoralized by the retreat of Thoburn's division, could not withstand the sudden and unexpected assault. The line broke, thus exposing the 19th corps to an enfilading fire for its entire length. Under the circumstances Wright issued the order for the 6th and 19th corps to fall back. A dense fog prevailed and some confusion resulted in the execution of the movement, but the batteries of the 6th corps finally took a position on the ridge near the cemetery West of Middletown, where they did such effective work that the enemy was compelled to halt and strengthen his lines. About the same time Ramseur and Pegram Sent Word to Early that they must have reinforcements on the Union left or they would be unable to break through. Wharton's division, the men of which were busy in plundering the evacuated camp of the 19th corps, was rallied and sent to their assistance. Wharton was met by a destructive fire from the infantry of Getty's division, now commanded by Brig.-Gen. L. A. Grant, before which the whole line recoiled, and while the confusion existed Grant charged and drove Wharton Back down the Hill. The charge was met by a discharge of artillery, all the enemy's guns being concentrated on the division, which was compelled to fall back. It was in this charge that Brig.-Gen. Bidwell Fell mortally wounded.A little after 8 o'clock the fog lifted and the movement of troops could be directed with more intelligence. In the early part of the engagement the general movement of the Union forces had been toward the left, to confront the enemy in his attack on that portion of the line. In falling back they had maintained a position en echelon, each corps being farther north than the one on its left, and the charge of the 6th corps was well to the Confederate right. To make matters worse for the Confederates the attack of Rosser on the Union cavalry had not been so successful as that of the infantry on the left. Here the order of the previous evening redounded to the advantage of the Federal arms. The 1st and 3rd divisions were both stirring before daylight, preparing to send men on the reconnaissance, and when Custer's pickets were driven in the men were promptly ordered into the saddle to repulse the attack that they felt sure was coming. Forming the cavalry on the right of the infantry Torbert Sent his trains to the rear, and when Rosser advanced far enough for the cavalry batteries to open on his line he was greeted by a fire that drove him to the shelter of the Woods Near by, where he remained until the tide of battle was turned in favor of the Union side. In the meantime Powell's division was holding Lomax's cavalry in check at Front Royal, so that the cavalry attack might be characterized as a failure. After the fog lifted Wright ordered all the cavalry to the left. Leaving three regiments to Hold Rosser in Check, Torbert promptly made the transfer. The 1st brigade, 2nd division, Under Col. Moore, which had been stationed at Burton's Ford as a picket, was cut off by Gordon, but rejoined the main body at Middletown, Having made A Detour around the Confederate right. Seeing the Federals massing their strength in this quarter, Early crowded his troops farther to the eastward to prevent his right wing from becoming enveloped.When the fight commenced Gen. Sheridan was at Winchester, where he had paused on his return from Washington. Reports of the cannonading reached him early in the morning, but not attaching much importance to it he remained at Winchester until two hours later, when it became certain that a battle was in progress. Mounting his horse he started for the scene. On the way he met and turned back many of his men who were straggling to the rear. Inspired by the example of their intrepid commander they hurried back to the front and took their places in line with a determination to do or die. Under Sheridan's orders the line of battle was formed on the prolongation of Getty's Line and a temporary breastwork of logs, rails, etc., hastily constructed. Early advanced and attacked, the assault falling principally on the 19th corps, which bravely withstood the shock and after some severe fighting the Confederates were driven back. At 4 P. M. Sheridan ordered a general advance. Early's promised victory became a defeat and the defeat became a rout. Custer's gallant charge with his division of cavalry was closely followed by a combined movement of all the Federal forces and the enemy was forced back across Cedar creek. The difficulties in crossing added to the confusion and all efforts to rally the men were vain. Custer's division and Devin's brigade of Merritt's pursued the routed mass to Fisher's Hill, A distance of over 3 Miles, the road all the way being covered with abandoned artillery, wagons, caissons and ambulances. The Federal loss was 644 killed, 3,430 wounded and 1,591 missing. Most of the missing men belonged to Thoburn's division and were captured in the first attack. Early stated his casualties as being "about 1,860 killed and wounded, and something over 1,000 prisoners." The 24 cannon lost by the Union troops in the morning were all recaptured together with 24 pieces that had belonged to the enemy. Scores of wagons were piled up and burned by the Federal cavalry and 56 ambulances fell into Sheridan's hands. This battle broke the Confederate hold upon the Shenandoah Valley. Although Early remained for some time in that part of the state he did not again assume the aggressive until Sheridan withdrew to Kernstown. (See Cedar Creek, Va., Nov 12, 1864)CEDAR CREEK, VANOV. 12TH,1864Cedar Creek, Va., Nov. 12, 1864. Sheridan Cavalry Corps. After the battle of Cedar creek on Oct. 19, the Confederate forces under Early retreated to New Market, where they remained inactive for about three weeks. On Nov. 9, Sheridan withdrew to Kernstown and the next Day Early advanced down the pike, crossed Cedar creek and took up a position at Middletown. On the 12th Sheridan ordered Powell's division of cavalry to move out on the Winchester and Front Royal Pike, While Custer moved Via the Middle and Back roads and Merritt on the Valley pike to learn the enemy's intentions. At Nineveh Powell Met and routed Lomax's division of cavalry, capturing their 2 pieces of artillery 3 wagons, 50 horses, 2 battle flags and 161 prisoners. The Confederates here lost 20 killed and 35 wounded, Powell's Loss Being 2 killed and 15 wounded.Custer Struck Rosser's cavalry about 4 Miles North of Cedar creek and drove him back to the other side with severe losses, several being killed and wounded and 16 captured. Merritt engaged a body of Confederate infantry about dark and skirmished with them until 10 p. m., when he returned to camp. Meantime detachments of infantry were sent out to the support of the cavalry, as it looked like an engagement was imminent the next Day, but when morning came it was found that Early had retreated during the night and taken up his old quarters at New Market.Source: The Union Army, vol. 5