Description
Painting of Union Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes on horseback crossing Red Bud Run during the Third Battle of Winchester.
The Third Battle of Winchester, fought on September 19, 1864 between the Union forces under the command of General Philip Sheridan against Confederate General Jubal Early, was the largest and costliest battle ever fought in the Shenandoah Valley.
Around 3 p.m the 2nd Union Division was ordered to attack the Rebel left flank, which required crossing Red Bud creek. The creek was easily crossed in some places, but in others was a deep, miry pool from twenty to thirty yards wide and almost impassable.
During the afternoon action, Colonel Isaac H. Duval was struck down, putting Col. Rutherford B. Hayes of the 23rd Ohio in charge of the 2nd Union Division. As the division came upon swampy banks of Red Bud creek, the whole line staggered for a moment, unable to go on. Lieutenant Colonel James Comly of the 23rd Ohio described what happened next. “Just then I saw Colonel Hayes plunge in with his horse, and under a shower of bullets and shells, with his horse sometimes down, sometimes up, he rode, waded and dragged his way through, the first man over.” This seemed to inspire the Union troops, and they followed Hayes through and across the murky creek to the other side to continue the advance on the Confederate left.
Colonel Rutherford Hayes survived the battle and the war to become the 19th President of the United States (1877-1881).
Print of an original 24″ x 30″ oil on canvas painting.
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