Under Fire: A Tale of the Shenandoah Valley — page 167: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

160 SHERIDAN’S RIDE. if Early had attacked his strong position at Cedar Creek, he would be terribly beaten. On rode Sheridan with the calmness of one riding out for a pleasure trip. As the thunder of distant guns grew fonder and more continuous, and was evidently rolling back toward him, his practiced ear told him too well that a heavy battle was raging in front, and that his army was retreating. Startled from his composure, as the terrible truth flashed upon his brain, he dashed the spurs into his horse, and was soon far ahead of his escort, tearing madly along the road. Louder, deadlier than before, came the boom of distant cannon. The earth seemed to vibrate under him as Sheridan swept furiously onward. A deep presentiment of evil possessed the brave chief as he tore furiously down the road toward the sound of conflict. Soon a sight met his strained vision that confirmed his wildest fears—men in Union blue rushing in the headlong flight down the road. Camp-followers and fugitives without number. ‘“Men, what does this mean ?’’ Sheridan demanded, sternly, his eye flashing’ fire. ‘The army’s bu’sted, gen’ral. The rebs are comin’ full-tilt!’’ cried a fleeing private, who was well-nigh winded by his anxious endeavors to escape from the — devastation at the front. Fora moment the great commander sat on his horse like one bereft of sense. The truth seemed too near impossible for belief. What! his noble army, that only a few weeks be- fore he had led PES to victory, broken, shattered, gone? In a moment the ene in his nature was roused, and . nal ™~ ~comicbooks.co mi