On October 19, 1864, Confederate forces launched a surprise attack against the encampment of Union Army Major General Philip Sheridan. Hundreds were killed. Many more were wounded or taken prisoner. Many pieces of Union Artillery were captured.
Sheridans Ride. This drawing by Alfred R, Waud depicts "Sheridan's Ride".
At the time of the attack in his encampment General Sheridan was about 20 miles away at Winchester VA. At first reports of artillery fire were dismissed as there was no military action expected that day. When the sounds began to increase in volume Sheridan realized his army had to be retreating.
Accompanied by several staff officers and a cavalry escort he rode hard to intercept the retreating army. he rallied the troops exclaiming; "Come on back, boys! Give 'em hell, God damn 'em! We'll make coffee out of Cedar Creek tonight!"
The Confederate forces failed to notice Sheridan's return and broke off the attack. When Sheridan and his men hit back the Confederates were overwhelmed. They suffered losses far greater than what they had inflicted on the Union encampment.
The loss was a huge one as the Confederate Army was now cut off from using Shenandoah Valley to attack the North states and in particular Washington D.C.
Sheridans Ride. A drawing that depicts General Sheridan and his horse by Alfred R. Waud.
General Sheridan's horse was named Rienzi. As a farrier it's undoubtedly true that Henry would have been responsible for helping to care for the horse.
As the public took notice of "Sheridan's Ride" The general renamed his horse Winchester. In 1878 when the horse died he was preserved by taxidermists and he has since been on display at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C.
- 1864 
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