The Battle of Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864 - A Paper Read Before the Massachusetts Military Historical Society, December 8, 1879 #254866

Pike an army, in all weathers and seasons of the year, could march at great speed, and except in very wet seasons in many parallel columns, with baggage and artillery up. This was always the' chosen route for the rebel armies to march by to invade Pennsylvania and Maryland. NO large bridges spanned the rivers and creeks it crossed, so that it was always ready for the march of troops and trains.