Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1867-11-01


victory at shutdown, We need not describe. |
They are especially fresh to Vcrmonters for |
almost all the Vermont troops in the army at |
that time were under Sheridan. The Old |
Brigade, the Eighth and other Vermont |
regiments, sustained right nObly there the |
fame of the Green Mountain State and the |
Vermont cavalry, at Cpequan Creek, made
the heaviest capture Of rebel artillery-twen-
ty-three pieces, the receipt for which is now
on file among the State papers at Montpel- !
ier-on record by any one regiment in the
war. For these great services, Sheridan
received the thanks of Congress, and was
appointed a Major General in the regular
army, in place Of Mcclellan, resigned.
Sheridan's campaign sent Early ''whirling
down the Valley" and ended the fighting in
the Shenandoah and lie returned TO Peters
burgh to aid in the final overthrow Of Lee.
On the twenty-ninth Of March, 1865. by
General Grants orders, he moved out from
Ream's Station, on the Weldon Road, with
nine thousand cavalry, to operate on Gener-
al Lees right flank. He was met at Din
widdle Court House by greatly superior num-
bers, and driven back; but, having added to
to his force the Fifth Corps, General Narren,
whom Sheridan relieved from command just
before the battle, for too dilatory or reluc-
tant obedience to his orders. be renewed his
advance next day, and, attacking the rebels
in an inuenched position, won the famous
victory Of Fair Forks, which completely
turned Lees flank, and compelled him at
last to leave his entrenchmcnts at PeteIsburgh,
and make for the open country. 1t was now
a race for life or death to the renel General
but be had to deal with a man whose resO-
luton cqualled the rebel desperation. Max
ing for the Danyille Railroad, Lee was head
co by Sheridan. who reached that road be-
fore and beyond him. Pushing for his one
more chance Of escape by the turnpike, he
was met again by Sheridan, who attacked
him with the cavalry and the Sixth Corps,
at Sailors Creek. and took several thousand
prisoners and many guns. Lee made one
more desperate attempt to reach the Dan
vile turnpike at Farmville; but Sheridan
had already sent Crook thither with the
cavalry, and Lee was compelled, as a last
resort, to make for Lynchburg. By the
eighth of April, he reached Appomattoz
| Court House but Sheridan had again head
ed him of at AppomattOx Station, five miles
beyond. and General Lee Surrendered. The
pluck, energy, tactical ability, prompt accept
ance Of responsibility, true military genus,
displayed by Little Phil 80 in this campaign
was probably never surpassed in the war.
1t renamed for him to show equal courage
and constancy as a District commander at
the South. Sent to New Orleans, he refused
to whltewash the infamous New Orleans
rlots, which were justified, if not instisated,
by President johnson. Deeming it bis duty
to carry out the will Of the loyal people Of
the land, as expressed by Congress, be prompt
ly removed the rebel impedimcnts 20 recon
strucuon wherever they stood in bis way.
That he should have been himself removed
for refusing to lend himself to the President IS
policy of restoring the Southern States to the
control Of rebels at heart, is the GROWING
glory Of his career. Blunt brave, stcaIiast-
few in words but brilliant in deeds, is not
this man whom Vcrmonters DO well to
honor. -. hail and welcome TO General
Phil Sheridan