English: Even with winter weather settling in the valley, Union General Phillip Sheridan began mounted operations against Confederates in the valley. He later wrote in his memoirs: "The winter was a most severe one, snow falling frequently to the depth of several inches, and the mercury often sinking below zero. The rigor of the season was very much against the success of any mounted operations...on the 19th of December I started the cavalry out...Tolbert, with Merritt and Powell, marching through Chester Gap, while Custer moved toward Staunton to make a demonstration in Torbert's favor, hoping to hold the enemy's troops in the valley."

• Keywords: army; generals; shenandoah; mounted operations; union general; union; war; winter