The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-06-29

TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 1865.
SKETCH OF SHERIDAN.

1 Se.~> 80. ~---@~-0-~
HOURS AT HOME. This new monthly
publication contains, in the June num-
Der, an article upon g urQuartermaster,
General SHERIpAN--fromw which we will
extract the chief features of interest,"
SHERIDAN has achieved military repu-
tation during the war only inferior, per-
haps, to the flames of GRANT and SHER-
MAN. And, yet, very little is popularity
known of his antecedents. That he is
of Irish decent, but native of Massa-
chusetts; that he was West Pointer,
and professional soldier; that he has
won his laurels at the age Of thirty-four
these and a few similar general points
are all that are widely known of SHER-
IDAN. The present article describes
Captain PHILLIP HENRY SHERI-
DAN, as he reported in December, 1861
at Lebanon, Missouri, for assignment by
General CURTIS to duty as Chief Quater-
master of the Army of the Southwest,
then forming at that point for an active
campaign. The writer says: 8" A modest,
"quiet little man was our Quartz rmaster.
"Yet nobody could deny the vitalizing
energy and mastery force of his pres
fence, when he had occasion to exert
"himself. Neat in person, courteous in
demeanor, exact in the transaction of
business, and most accurate in all mat
ters appertaining to the regulations,
orders, and general military custom, it
"was no wonder tia! our Acting Chief
Quartermaster should have been uni
versally liked. Especially was be IN
favor socially, for it soon became
known that he was, off duty, most
genial companion, answering the most
mythical requirement of that vaguest
"of comprehensive terms-a good fell
"low.'n
The following sketch of SHERIpAN's
life will be interesting to our readers
He born in Massachusetts, but was raised in Perry
County, Ohio His parents were poor and Phillips OPP
portunes of education quite limited AT early
be began to his durnal allowance OF buttered
bread and when appointed to West Point by the then
member of Congress, engaged at GAINESVILLE Ohio in
driving water cart and supplying the Inhabitants with
tca influence, and SHERIDAN himself had attracted the
attention Of the Congressman The result that in
1848 SHERIDAN entered the Military Academy, being at
the time seventeen old He remained until June,
1853 when he graduated WELL and received appoint
ment as brevet second lieutenant in the First U. s. In
fany Joining his company at Fort Duncan Texas in the
fall Of the year. To the Nation SHERIDAN owed all
bis early opportunities And noby has he repaid the
debt. Unlike many other recreant child of her munif
cence he has altered in devout allegiance to tho
country which endowed him with education and profess
sion or failed to serve the flag he had sworn to follow
From the time of entrance into active service at tho age
of twenty-five, SHERIDAN actively and laborously
gagged in the duties of his position Till after the Rebel
lion broke out his life was spent in active service against
the hostile Indians in command Of exploring parties and
at solitary posts upon the frontier distant Pacific ter
| ritores.
the Calnanches of Texas. Then gazeted second eute
nant in the Fourth Infantry bo ordered to join his
regiment in Oregon, which he did. On arrival he took
command of escort for Lieutenant WILIAMsoNs
poration of branch of the Pacific from Columbia River
to San Francisco In the discharge of his duty he was
highly commended In the report of WILLIAMSON, pub
| In September, 1856 at Vancouver Washington Tori
tory he accompanied Major RAINS of the Fourth tsnce
Rebel msjor-gsneraD, on an expedition against tho
Iokima Indians For gallanry in engagement at the
Cascades of Columbia April 2Sth 1855 he specially
noted in general orders In May following he took
mand of the Yokima Reservation in the range
mountains He then selected site for military post in
the Seletz Valley In the spring of 1857 he compi
mened by General SCOTT for mertorous conduct in the
settlement of difficulties with the Indians at Yokima
Bay In the same year he built post at Yamhill Wash
ington Territory During the following three years he
actively engaged against Indians in the mountain
ranges. The fatgues and hardhips incidental to such
life have hardened him until he tough hickory sap
| ling and hardy as Northern pine. We have heard him
diet which might fifty train man for the long cavalry
raids since Characteristic of SEnIDANs operations He
carried his provisions for two weeks in blanket
When the additional regiments authorized for the
Regular Army SnENDAS was promoted to captaincy in
the Thirteenth lie then ordered to join it at Jeier
Ira VIII he in ,bnr1 Gna,
after he placed duty president of the board
audit the claims growing out Of FaEMoNrs sdmnisra
ton at the West Here the order directing him to report
to General CURrs found him.
We have said Captain SHERIDAN was modest In those
days he especially SO. Whenever he did allow his
ambition to appear it appeared to be Of moderate cast
"Hewas the sixty fourth Captain the list and with the
chances ofwar thought he might soon be Major" Such
were the which the future Major General spoke of
promotion. No visions Of brilliant stars single or dual
then gmmered on the horizon of his life. II he could
pluck an old leaf and gid the sam for his shoulders
possibility of brgadiership Quartermaster would
have supposed II meant in irony Yet he was even then
recognized 40 man of vigorous character. The judg.
ment then given by prominent staff officer has since
been verified by his brilliant career 1t was that suERI.
DAN was not great brain to plan, but tremendous
an arm 10 execute .. LII.
None who knew SHERIDAN then can lay claim to an un-
Outstanding of his great qualities Those which their
esteem were the genial and attractive ones which all
member with something akin to affection Especially ia
this true of the subordinates who into immediate
| contact with our Quartermaster. The enlisted
duty at headquarters, or In his bureau remember
him kindly. Not clerk orderly but treasures
act of kindness done by Captain SHERIDAN. Never for
getting allowing Others forget the respect due to
him and his POSITION he yet the approachabe
officer at headquarters His knowledge of the regulations
and customs OF the army and of ell professional minuG
at the disposal of any proper inquirer. Private
soldiers seldom allowed to carry away pleasant aud
kindly associations Of superior those with which
Captain Sheridan endowed When the army was rea
dy to move he his personal attention seeing that
all attached to headquarters properly equippei for
service in the field issuing the stores animals
etc.. without difficulty or discussion Many man re,
ceived information about the preparation of papers and
other matters which has since been of invaluable asss
lance.
The author tells story at the expense
of SHERIDAN, which we find it a little |
hard to believe. However, here it is -
SHERIpAss modesty amounted to bashfulness especial
y in the presence of the gentler His life, having
been passed the frontier among Indians at so
tary post it not at all surprising that Quarter
master should hesitate when urged to 60 where ladies
might be expected. If by chance he found himself in
such gathering, he to shrink into obscure
corner and keep silent We remember amusing Incl
young lady Springfield where he engaged in for
wardng supplies to the Army DESTROYS of showing her
attention, he altogether too modest to venture
on such step. Finally he hit upon sxpedient He
had gay young clerk, Eddy, in his Office whom he in.
duced to take the young lady out riding while he SHRRI
DAM furnished the carriage and horses Themodest little
captain could often be looking with pleasure on this
arrangement. Counting by proxy seemed to please him
as much las certainly less embarrassing if 1t had
been done by himself There are hut few men whose
modesty. would carry them SO far What the result was
learnt We think IL most probable Eddy carried