point myself, as the ascent was very rugged, and it required
several hours to go and come, and I could not leave my command for that time. I had therefore, necessarily, to rely on the reports of my officers.
General Gordon and Captain Hotchkiss, on their return, reported the route between the mountain and river, which was a blind path, to be practicable for infantry but not for artillery, and a temporary bridge was constructed under Captain Hotchkiss's superintendence, at the first crossing of the river on our right. The plan of attack on which I determined, was to send the three divisions of the 2nd Corps, to wit: Gordon's, Ramseur's, and Pegram's, under General Gordon, over the route which has been specified to the enemy's rear, to make the attack at five o'clock in the morning, which would be a little before day-break—to move myself, with Kershaw's and Wharton's divisions, and all the artillery, along the Pike through Strasburg, and attack the enemy on the front and left flank as soon as Gordon should become engaged, and for Rosser to move with his own and Wickham's brigade, on the Back Road across Cedar Creek, and attack the enemy's cavalry simultaneously with Gordon's attack, while Lomax should move by Front Royal, cross the river, and come to the Valley Pike, so as to strike the enemy wherever he might be, of which he was to judge by the sound ol the firing.
At two o'clock P.M., all the division commanders, except Pegram, who had not returned from the mountain, came to my head-quarters, and I gave them their instructions. Gordon was directed to cross over into the bend of the river immediately after dark, and move to the foot of the mountain, where he would rest his troops, and move from there in time to cross the river again and get in position at Cooley's house in the enemy's rear, so as to make the attack at the designated hour, and he was instructed, in advancing to the attack, to move for a house on the west side of the Valley Pike called the "Belle-Grove House," at which it was known that Sheridan's headquarters were located.—A guide who knew the country and the roads, was ordered to be sent to General Gordon, and Col-
