t, and I
determined to attack."

His plan was, like his adversary's at the last encounter, a surprise
around the left flank with a feint on the right, and it was carried
out on the morning of October 19th with complete success. General
Sheridan had been called to Washington a few days before, as no active
operations seemed imminent, and the army lay feeling quite secure.

Good fortune attended the attacking forces, and the surprise was
perfect. General Merritt writes: "Crook's (Eighth Corps) camp and
afterwards Emory's (Nineteenth Corps) were attacked in flank and rear,
and the men and officers driven from their beds, many of them not
having time to hurry into their clothes, except as they retreated,
half awake and terror-stricken from the overpowering numbers of the
enemy. Their own artillery in conjunction with that of the enemy, was
turned on them, and long before it was light enough for their eyes,
unaccustomed to the dim light, to distinguish friend from foe, they
were hurrying to our right and rear intent only on their safety.
Wright's (Sixth Corps) infantry, which was farther removed from the
point of attack, fared somewhat better, but did not offer more than a
spasmodic resistance." Nevertheless, they made Early "pay dearly for
every foot gained and finally brought him to a stand," as Nicolay and
Hay record.

The history of the Second Connecticut tells the story of the day as
follows: "Most of the regiment were up next morning long before
Reveille and many had begun to cook their coffee on account of that
ominous popping and cracking which had been going on for half an hour
off to the right. They did not exactly suppose it meant anything, but
they had learned wisdom by many a sudden march on an empty stomach and
did not propose to be caught napping. The clatter on the right
increased. It began to be the wonder why no orders came. But suddenly
every man seemed to lose interest in the right, and turned his
inquiring eyes and ears toward the left. Rapid volleys and a vague
tumult told that there was trouble there. 'Fall in!' said Mackenzie.
The brigade moved briskly off toward the east, crossing the track of
other troops and batteries of artillery which were hurriedly swinging
into position, while ambulances, orderlies, staff officers, camp
followers, pack horses, cavalrymen, sutler's wagons, hospital wagons,
and six-mule teams of every description came trundling and galloping
pell mell toward the right and rea