r than others,
but all were suffering. Things began to look dark. At the most critical
moment, a large body of Sheridan's splendid cavalry, with swords drawn,
wound slowly around the right, then at a trot, and finally, with shouts,
at a gallop, charged right into the rebel lines. Hayes, now in command
of the division, his division commander having fallen, pushed on, and
the enemy in utter confusion fled. Crook's command carried the forts
which covered the heights, and Hayes led the advance of that command.
His division entered Winchester in pursuit of Early far in advance of
all other troops. The spirit of Early's brave army was broken. Its loss
in this battle was nearly seven thousand men.

The day following the battle of Opequan, Stanton telegraphed Sheridan:
"Please accept for yourself and your gallant army the thanks of the
President and the department for your great battle and brilliant victory
of yesterday." An official report of Colonel Comly, commanding the
Twenty-third Ohio, thus refers to Colonel Hayes, division commander: "He
is everywhere exposing himself recklessly, as usual. He was the first
one over the slough; he has been in advance of the line half the time
since; his adjutant-general has been severely wounded; men are dropping
all around him; but he rides through it all as if he had a charmed
life."

FISHER'S HILL.

The assault on South Mountain, or Fisher's Hill, occurred on the 22d of
September, three days after the battle of Opequan. Sheridan was in hot
pursuit of Early, and had followed him up the Shenandoah valley,
overtaking him in position at Fisher's Hill. This is a ridge stretching
across the valley where it is only about three miles wide. There is a
creek running in front of the ridge. Early had fortified the ridge, and
was in strong position. Sheridan was disposed to attack him in front,
trusting to the demoralization from the recent defeat for an easy
victory.

Crook insisted upon trying to turn their left flank. It was finally
determined that it could be done. He was ordered to take Hayes'
division, which led the advancing column. Crook and Hayes rode side by
side at the head of the men. Pretty soon Crook and every officer, except
Hayes, dismounted. The latter had a horse that could go wherever a man
could. The command went up mountains, pushed their way through woods,
and slid down ravines and gorges. When the enemy's left was supposed to
be passed, they turned by the flank and bor