Battle of Fisher's Hill

Battle of Fisher's Hill. "Our army was too small to man it". On September 22, 1864, Union Gen. James W. McMillan's brigade, roared past where you are standing as his troops assaulted the Confederate line atop the high ground to your left during the Battle of Fisher's Hill., The fight at Fisher's Hill occurred after Union Gen. Philip H. Sheridan's army defeated Confederate Gen. Jubal Early at the Third Battle of Winchester on September 19. Early withdrew his force here to Fisher's Hill. Sheridan pursued, positioning his own troops on the heights to your right., Fisher's Hill was "a natural fortification," Confederate Capt. Samuel D. Buck recalled, but he also lamented "Our army was too small to man it." Only dismounted cavalry held Early's left, where the ground was lower and the position weaker., Sheridan sent Gen. George Crook's Army of West Virginia on a march around Early's left flank. At 4 P.M. on September 22, Crook's men charged down the side of the mountain and routed the Confederate cavalry. Sheridan ordered the rest of his force forward, the center of the Union force advancing up the slope on which you stand. The Confederate line collapsed, but not after vicious fighting., The southerners withdrew into the Blue Ridge Mountains, leaving the Valley open to the destruction of "The Burning.", Medal of Honor Recipients , About 40,000 soldiers fought at Fisher's Hill, and five Union soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions here: , 1 Pvt. James Connors, 43rd New York , 2 Pvt. John Creed, 23rd Illinois , 3 Pvt. George G. Moore, 11th West Virginia , 4 Sgt. Sylvester D. Rhodes, 61st Pennsylvania , 5 Lt. Edward N. Whittier, 5th Battery Maine tight Artillery, (captions) Lt. Edward Whittier was only 24 when he earned the Medal of Honor at Fisher's Hill. The artillery officer rode with the attacking Union columns, captured Confederate cannons, then turned them on the former users. Courtesy Don Troiani