ards held. That it was "the turning-point of the fortunes of the
war in Virginia," was the verdict of a Confederate officer of high
rank, and Nicolay and Hay in the "Life of Lincoln" describe it as "one
of the most important of the war."

As for the Litchfield County regiment, among its many proud memories,
none surely holds a higher place than that of the worthy and effective
part it took in this day's work, forming, as it did, so large a part
of the brigade which, in the words of General Upton's biographer,
turned possible defeat into certain victory.

* * * * *

General Sheridan's method of operation could hardly be held as
dilatory. It would doubtless have commended itself more highly to his
men if it had been somewhat more so, when at daylight on the morning
after the splendid success of September 19th they were ordered in
pursuit of Early's army.

The Confederate forces had taken position on Fisher's Hill, considered
the Gibraltar of the Valley, and according to Sheridan, almost
impregnable to a direct assault. Two days were occupied in bringing up
troops and making dispositions for the attack. The Second Connecticut
reached its assigned position on the 21st near midnight, and found
itself "on the very top of a hill fully as high as Fisher's Hill, and
separated from it by Tumbling River. The enemy's stronghold was on the
top of the opposite hill directly across the stream."

On the 22nd more or less skirmishing took place all day. A force had
been sent round the enemy's left flank; the attack it delivered late
in the afternoon was a complete surprise to Early's men, and an
advance by the whole Union line quickly routed them.

To make this charge the regiment moved down the steep hill, waded the
stream, and moved up the rocky front of the rebel Gibraltar. How they
got up there is a mystery,--for the ascent of that rocky declivity
would now seem an impossibility to an unburdened traveller, even
though there were no deadly enemy at the top. But up they went,
clinging to rocks and bushes. The main rebel breastwork, which they
were so confident of holding, was about fifteen rods from the top of
the bluff, with brush piled in front of it. Just as the top was
reached the Eighth Corps struck the enemy on the right, and their
flight was disordered and precipitate. The Second Connecticut was the
first regiment that reached and planted colors on the works from the
direct front.

They w