Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-01-22
yanhicatup,
FRIDAY MORNING, JAN. %, 1916.
Local

REcoLLECTIoNs OF SHERIDAN.-As
Gen. Sheridan is the central figure in the
country just now, we have talked with
several gentlemen with view of reviving
some personal recollections of that officer
while he was in Augusta during the war.
Dr. Cyrus Alexander, then surgeon in
the Confederate army, was on furlough at
his residence in Waynesboro when Sheri-
dan defeated Gen. Early's little band
When the stampede took place, Dr. A., in
riding along the road was overtaken, and
received sabre cut over the head from a
Federal eavalryman. which forced him to
surrender. He was carried by staff Off
cer to Sheridan. He found Sheridan to be
a stout, broad-shouldered, athletic man,
about feet inches high, with full head
of dark hair, and a heavy face, square
iawed, not unlike Grant. He was very po-
lite, promptly handing DR.. A. a. chair, and
inquiring with apparent interest how he
received his wound. and as officers of his
staff would drop in he would introduce
him to them. He seemed very full of him
self. and talked much of his success in the
Valley, with the air of man who was
surprised at his victories, He remarked
that Gen. Early's making a stand at
Waynesboro, with an unfordable river be-
hind him, was an inexcusable military mis-
take. He ought to have known the
strength of his enemy; as for him (S.)s he
knew every man Early had, from his
..,,4, IJo e, i'll If EorIv had Jofirnd into
the mountain gorge, II would not have
troubled him; | would have gone on and
left him behind me-" He commenced in
curing about the forces at Lynchburg,
where Dr. A. was stationed, but being told
that Confederate soldier could not an
swer such questions, he changed the con-
versation. He was very obliging in order
ing a guard for the house of anybody in
Waynesboro who asked it. His manner Of
conversation was calculated to impress the
listener as rather high flown, boastful, and
somewhat dramatic. Dr. A. expressing a
Union army had always treated surgeons
as non-combatants, but the Confederates
had not done so. When DR.. A. CONTRA
dicted this, Sheridan replied shortly and
peremptorily that he knew they did, but
that should not be a precedent for him,
and calling an officer had DR.. A. paroled.
Mr.. JnO. j. Bell Of Waynesboro, whose
house Gen. Sheridan made his headquar-
ters. saws that he arrived there in the even
inc with his staff. He asked Mr.. Bell who
was proprietor there, and upon receiving
the answer that he Mr. B. was at home,
said that was right, and it would be much
hetter il all citizens stayed at home, and
did not desert their residences. Upon
learning that Mr.. Bells wife was i'll, he
offered the services Of his surgeon, who, he
said was a good physician, but being told
that she did not need physician, re-
marked. s'Then, perhaps, she needs some
medicine: if so, my surgeon will give you
whatever you need" Upon being told
that she was beyond the reach Of medicine,
he expressed much sympathy, and gave his
officers orders that there should be no
noise in the house. On the next day Mrs.
Z r. Finks came to get the release Of her
husband, Capt Finks, who had been cap
what he was, aid being told railroad
conductor. turned away. remarking, "Well,
he will have to conduct himself to Win
.chester.'' MI Bell, who was standing by,
and who had introduced Mrs. f. to Sheri-
dan. called ont, General, he is an Odd
Fellow whereupon he turned back quick
" and gave orders for Capt. F.'s release.
THE husband Of Mr.. Bells colored cook
having been taken away by the Federal
soldiers. Gen. S. being informed of it,
said, ssMrby, what on earth would they
want with your negro MANI" and sent an
officer WITH MI, Bell to the prisoners pen
to get him out, but the negro was not
there. Gen. sheridan's commissary stores
not having come up, he lived very plainly,
receiving cup of rye coffee without sugar
from Mr.. Bell with thanks.