BATTLE SUMMARY
After twice beating Lt. Gen. Jubal Early’s army, Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan had switched to destroying the resources of the Valley so that no Confederate army could again support itself there and no foodstuffs would move east to Gen. Robert E. Lee’s army. He also withdrew slightly closer to his supply lines and prepared to detach one of his 3 veteran infantry corps. But Early was reinforced and urged to be aggressive – and from Lee a letter urging something was usually more effective than a direct order from other generals. Early examined the Union position behind Cedar Creek and found an opening. Expecting an attack across the open valley floor to the west, the Union left relied on natural obstacles for cover. Early reckoned he could get his men across the Creek and pounce on the Union left, then roll up the line defeating each part in sequence. A bright moon helped the night marches (Early deployed his men in 3 columns, a risky move that only experienced commanders with reliable staff officers could safely try) and at dawn everyone was in place.