In fifteen minutes Crook's sleeping soldiers were routed. The first line was carried, and the Sixth Corps alone stood its ground. Wright was wounded, but refused to leave the field. Stoutly resisting the enemy, he covered the Federal retreat toward Winchester.

Sheridan had slept at Winchester that night, on his return from Washington. He heard the sound of battle, and hastened toward it to meet his own army in the full flight which told of defeat. Swinging his old hat, he cried, "Face about! Face about, boys! We're all right. We'll whip them yet! We'll sleep in our old quarters to-night!" Cheer after cheer greeted their leader, as the fugitives quickly turned toward the battle-field again. On he rode, as fast as his jet-black horse could carry him.

"He dashed down the line mid a storm of hurrahs;

And the wave of retreat checked its course there, because
The sight of the master compelled it to pause."

One more charge, and the war in the Shenandoah Valley was ended. Early was whipped. His army became a mob, and took to the hills and open fields. Each army had lost heavily in this campaign,—Early, twenty-three thousand; and Sheridan, seventeen thousand men.

Early was never heard from but once again during the war, when a body of troops which he led were captured, and Lee immediately relieved him from all command.

CHAPTER XXX.

"IF ONE WISHES A THING DONE WELL, LET HIM DO IT HIMSELF."

BY

Y the beginning of May, General Sherman was all ready to move. Having succeeded to Grant's old command of the Military Division of the Mississippi, Sherman was responsible for all the armies within that district. He therefore paid a visit to each of his three army commanders, and explained to them his plans and wishes. General James B. McPherson had taken Sherman's place at the head of the Army of the Tennessee. To General John M. Schofield had been given the Army of the Ohio; and General Thomas remained with the Army of the Cumberland, at Chattanooga. The most thorough preparations were made for a campaign in which both officers and men resolved to compel success. To the staff of every general competent civil engineers were attached, whose duties were to construct bridges, repair roads, and to furnish accurate information and maps of the country through which the army must pass. A telegraph-corps accompanied the expedition, carrying its own wires and instruments, but depending upon the forest-trees for the necessary poles. There was also a signal-corps for the purpose of communicating by means of flags or lights. Allowing but the smallest amount of necessary baggage, the wagon-train for such an army must be immense. The commanding general was strict in his orders to cut down the amount of personal baggage; and he set an example of sac

rifice of comfort by carrying no tent for himself, except such slight shelter as was allowed to every soldier.

His storehouses at Chattanooga were bursting with food for his soldiers. His ranks were full, and Sherman only awaited marching-orders. But, before the tramp of a hun

dred thousand men falls upon our ears, let us spread out our map, and see what enemies they were likely to meet.

Behind a range of mountains which lies to the south-east of Chattanooga is the town of Dalton, Ga. Here, intrenched in a deep gorge of Rocky Face Mountain, lay the Confederate army. The gap is known as Buzzard's Roost, and between its rugged sides flows Mill Creek. The rebel position was strong; and General J. E. Johnston had succeeded Bragg in command, so that Sherman felt that he had to