Eve of Battle

Eve of Battle. "Indications were ominous". , The Union victory at Third Winchester on September 19, 1864, affected the mood of both armies as they prepared to face each other at Fisher's Hill. Moving to Fisher's Hill, Union Lt. John Mead Gould wrote, "I marched down that road with a grand consciousness that for once the Shenandoah had not been the 'Valley of Humiliation'. I began to feel that my days of retreating before a victorious enemy have ended.", Some of Gen. Jubal Early's Confederates, in contrast, despaired. Cavalryman John Opie recalled: "What was left of our army had now lost all confidence in General Early as a leader, and they were, therefore, much demoralized.", But the defensive strength of Fisher's Hill reinvigorated some in Early's command and gave the Federals pause. "We had, it is true, the prestige of victory, and the Confederates had the discouragement of defeat..." wrote Capt. James F. Fitts of the 114th New York. "...but their army... now occupied one of the best defensive positions in Virginia; and that it would be held with all the stubbornness of veterans we could not doubt.", Many Confederates agreed. "We are strongly fortified and have a commanding position..." Confederate William F. Brand wrote. "We may be able to give them a sound thrashing." Another southerner believed, "We could whip the world we was so well fortified.", Not all were so optimistic. "Our position was naturally strong but our army was too small to man it," recalled Confederate Capt. Samuel D. Buck. And Capt. Henry Kyd Douglas remembered that "Indications were ominous... They knew our exact force now, and caution would have looked like cowardice." Unfortunately for the Confederates, Union commander Gen. Philip Sheridan had no intention of being cautious., (Captions):, Sheridan's army following Early up the Valley of the Shenandoah. , Courtesy Library of Congress, John Mead Gould. , Courtery Nicholas Picerno Collection, Capt. Henry Kyd Douglas. , Courtesy Antietam National Battlefield