The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-01-09
Biography Of General sheridan.

Messrs. Editors: Whether a man rises to
fame or acquires notoriety, desire to know
something about his history and personal
characteristics is natural.
Northumberland Sheridan seems not
opIy to have intensified the odious notoriety
which bis brutality in war had justly as
signed to him, but even to have dimmed the
lustre of the very questionable fame which
his admirers think he has earned.
Sheridan graduated at the United States
Military Academy about 1858, and was soon
after assigned to the Fourth United States
infantry, then serving on the Pacific coast.
Grant was a captain of the same regiment
and company, and it was during the years
Immediately preceding the war that the
foundation was laid for the remarkable con-
eeniality which now exists between these
two.
It is probable that Grants estimate of
Sheridan as soldier Of nerve and prompt
action may have first been formed from one
ence. On certain occasion be, with a de.
tachment of infantry, was OBTAINING, under
an enforced surveillance, number of Indian
warriors and chiefs who had been brought in
to have talk ana sells some issue which
! led ss been made with the Government. Con.
siderable delay having taken place in assem-
bling all the parties to the proposed council,
| these Indians became FESTIVE and impatient
and suspicious, and finally, headed by their
principal war.chief, they proceeded 10 body
to Sheridan's tent. and through their leader
notified him defiantly that they would re.
main there no longer. The young lieuten.
ants only reply was shot through the
heart of the Chief which laid him dead at the
tent-door, and caused the whole force to in
SANITY surround and iron the remaining
warriors.
In this we see the peculiar capacity de-
yeloped at an early age which marks him
above all other soldiers or civilians in the
country as especially qualified to deal with
an issue so grave and delicate as that which
now bears down the people of Louisiana to
the very earth and fills the whole continent
with gloom and anxiety.
How simple solution of the whole trou-
BILE to shoot McEnery, and Penn, and Mari,
and put all other respectable citizens OF
Louisiana who cherish the delusion that
they have any voice IN the government OF
their State into prison. -,.-~-a-.----
This ever readiness to shed blood, or do
any other violence, seems the most striking
characteristic of Sheridan, and 1t Is an evil
dence of the great need Of able soldiers in
the Federal army that Sheridan ranks so
high. Had any Confederate commander
with 90, 900 men have suffered 1000 Fede.
rails to brave him lin the Valley, TO cheek
him, TO attack him, to defeat him, as for
months General Eariy's lutte army did
Sheridan, what q cowardly imbecile we
would consider him! Yet, Sheridan's
military reputation was made on this
CAMPAIGN: for since that time be has
done nothing. Mr.. S8inton praises him
much for throwing bis corps OF cavalry In
front OF General Lees line of march al
Appomattox. Why should he not have done
that when be had all his men well mounted
on fresh horses-a force many fold greasei
than ours, and shorter route open, 10 bin
than was available by General Lee and hi
starving, worn.out infantry? And bon