Middletown in Frederick County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Sheridan Arrives
10:30 am
Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 19, 2023
1. Sheridan Arrives Marker
General Philip Sheridan arrived on the battlefield following his famous and dramatic "Ride" from his headquarters in Winchester. Along the way he ordered Captain (and future U.S. President) William McKinley to stop retreating units and direct them back to the fighting. At the end of his ride, near this point, Sheridan assessed the situation, rejected all suggestions to retreat, and then rode the length of his battle lines to restore his men's morale. Soon after, he began to make plans for a counterattack. By early afternoon he had units in place, he and his commanders had a plan, and they were ready to attack.
The men sprang to their feet and cheered as only men under such circumstances can.... Hope and confidence returned at a bound. No longer did we merely hope the worst was over.... Now we all burned to attack the enemy, to drive him back, to retrieve our honor.... And every man knew that Sheridan would do it.
Union soldier, on reaction to Sheridan's return
Sketch by James E. Taylor, an artist for Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 1864
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil
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Location. 39° 3.175′ N, 78° 15.776′ W. Marker is in Middletown, Virginia, in Frederick County. Marker is on Klines Mill Road (Virginia Route 633) half a mile west of Valley Pike (U.S. 11), on the left when traveling west. Marker is located at Tour Stop 8 on the Cedar Creek Battlefield Driving Tour. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Middletown VA 22645, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. End Of Sheridan’s Ride (approx. half a mile away); Union Counterattack 4:00 p.m. (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Fatal Halt (approx. 1.1 miles away); Battle of Cedar Creek (approx. 1.2 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Cedar Creek (approx. 1.3 miles away); Middletown (approx. 1˝ miles away); The Shenandoah Valley / Battle of Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864 (approx. 1.6 miles away); Engagement Of Middletown (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Middletown.
Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 19, 2023
2. Sheridan Arrives Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2023, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 56 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 2, 2023, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
