The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1869-12-02
PHIL. SHERIDAN.
Personal RecOllectiOns by an Officer of
His Command.

One sultry day, says the Sacramento
Union of October Both while Sheridan,
seated upon a log by the roadside, was
attentiveiy observing the passing column,
a pail of ice water near him attracted the
notice of trooper trudging along on foot
Wiping the perspiration from his brozed
forehead with his coatsleeve, he brusque
ly accosted the General, emitting even.
the customary Can have drink OF
that ar water ?'' Remembering the Sc
we're etiquette with which officers OF the
regular army are wont to surround them
selves, the soldier might meet with re
buff Certainly. SIR said Sheridan
certainly" at the san time handing
him a draught and adding word cf en-
enlargement, which caused the tired sol
der to go on his way rejoicing, Thu
did he render himself to those on whom
he had ultimately to rely in the earring
ont of his plans and the Winning OF his
victories. Whenever he had any oecas
ION to reprimand soldier for any derelic
ton of duty, his reproof wa
always couched in the most courteous lar.-
guage, and never savored of harshness
If trooper, tt tempted by a stream OF ruE-
ing water left the column for the pur
pose of filling his canteen or watering hi
horse, and afterward urging the ANNA
to too great speed in endeayoring t.
overtake the same, Sheridan had only to
say to him in the mildest maner, WAX
your horse sir to prevent recurrence It
the offense. IF it became necessary fol
him to pass the column while in motion
he never crowded or jostled any one
but worked his. way carefully along the
flank on that famous "black' which, af-
terward rendered him such good servic,
on the road from Winchester to Ceda,
Greek.
Any service which contributed to the
general result Sheridan did not regard as
degrading, even to thecomanding Gen
eral. Thus for hours I have seen him,
with his Chief of staff, holding an unse-
cure plank in it's place until all its caval-
ry had passed over the bridge. On an
other occasion, while watching the move
ments of party engaged in destroying
lock of the James River caLal, I could
detect sympathetic inclination o. bis DO
dy corresponding to the oscillation Of the
gate as it yield ed to the axes and levers
ofthe destroying party.
At the battle of Cedar Greek over for
ty pieces of artilary fell into our hands.
The cavelary were occupied until a lac
hour of the night in securing these tro
plies. An officer of my brigade, fearing
recapture rode back to Sheridan head
quarters, when the following dialogue
ensued
Captain-General, have come back
to ask for brigade of infantry to helr
hold the captured artillery, Of which, ]
believe. we have at least twenty
pieces.
Sheridan-I don't believe it. Who
are you?
Cartain-Captain Britton of the Isl
New York dragons. General L believe
we now have over twenty pieces.
Sheridan-Captain you shall have two
brigades. Can any one of my staff furn-
ish this officer with something to
| drink ?
Custer having come up shortly after to
| report his wonderful success, Sheridan
caught him in his arms, embraced him,
and then wrestled with him with all the
playfullness ola child.