Midnight
Neither Dick nor his companions felt exhaustion . Their excitement was too great , and the taste of triumph was too strong . They had seen no such victory before , and eager and willing they still led the advance . Midnight passed and the pursuit never ceased until it reached Woodstock , ten miles from Fisher 's Hill . By that time Sheridan 's infantry was exhausted , and as Early was beginning to draw together the remains of his force he would prove too strong for the cavalry alone . At dawn the army of Sheridan stopped , the troopers almost falling from their horses in exhaustion , while Early used the opportunity to escape with what was left of his men , leaving behind many prisoners and twenty cannon . Yet the triumph had been great , and again , when the telegraph brought the news of it , the swell of victory passed through the North .