The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-08-21
GRANTS VALIANT LIEUTENANT.
What Colonel 7. B. Thorpe Knows
About Sheridan'S Ride.
HISTORIC INCIDENT AT NEW ORLEANS.
Rienzi the Noble War Horse or
the Shenandoah Valley.
70 TIE EDIrox or THE HERALD

To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
The discussion relative 10 the reality OF shsrdan's
ride appears mo curious dsiusion, for more
SOLID act, generally and in detail, II not recorded
among the incidents OF the rebellion. Wine General
sheridan was military governor oil New Orleans
held position that brought me in daily contact with
him, and found him always communicative on the
business OF The hour, but always recent Ia speaking
OF his own actions. or in making comments upon his
brother officers One MOI ming I. Buchanan REID, the
poet and artist, called upon me dates not remem-
bsred) and stated that he had New orleans TO
paint General Sheridan's portrait Tor the Union
League Club OF CincnuaLi. l accompanied Mr.. Reid
to General Sherioan's headquarters lhe artists
sion stated IN few words, arrangements
promptly made, and "LItte Phil" sat down 10 his
work witn commendable patience. This little mol
dent pleasantly varied The routine OF semi-mitary
life, and eliminated IN General Sheridan's giving 10
Mr. Reid dinner, At winch were present six or eight
persons AZ ! believe. except NE ksid an, ana
Tue dinner was OF course asligntiul Que,
and after the subssantiais disposed Of and many
personal compliments distributed Mr. REID rose anu
10 the evident consternalisu OF General Sheridan,
delivered brilliant skotch oil Sneridans services,
and concluded with magnificent delivery 0l MS in
mortal poem .'SherIda1's RIDE" sat directly OPP
posite sheridan, and u was treat indeed 10 witnrsS
the smooth glowing lace o. inc poe. hgnt up WIN
but had AN opportunity OF study ing obsriuAns lace
such As w.x never before and never VIII again be
presented. His eyes nt hrst were filled with almost
childish astonsn ment tor he mad no notice oil Reds
inten lion, and lam not certain that he mad ever be-
fore heard Inc poem. In moment more the red
blood forced Itself into his cheeKs, aud finally,
losing sight OF the personal illusions 10 nmsei his
dark eyes flashed, the spirit great soldier
aroused, ne followed the whole OF the RIDE Incl
alter incdcD and probably Tor tho hrst time had
some self ecation Of his wonderful exploit But
II was only wnen the brave work oil his black horse
was alluded 20 that he INDUCED IN any approving
aemonslration. When MI Reid concluded he sank
IL All VAR
ment, and inc silence that followed Tor moment Was
painfully embarrassing.
said, "Mr. Reid. BY your genius ysu have made what
supposed would be an inclacnt In war subject Tor
'.You are indebted ~ me, General, tor nothing.
(Reid still glowing with sxctemenL) l would have
morse emerging from the dust aud confusion that en-
velopcd your person As you came IN full view ON The
turnpike beyond MiddieIown"
sheridan wr1ggied In his char, tho compliments
paid him embarrassed him, and as defence ne natur-
ally commenced, warming up Win the suoject aud IN
q short and modest manner gave tho details OF The
events that culmnatca at Winchester. he said no
was In Washington on important business that day,
and was in his iu reg menIals. he said he thor
oughiy unconscious when he set out on bis return
journey OF what was going on III front. He took up
buchanan Kelds progress OF his ride and character
lzed II AZ an excellent but rather poeucal arrange
ment Of has advance. He spoke OF his feel
ings as he arst got the suspicion OF the possible
rout IN front, and appealing 10 bis ever faithful
horse Rsnzi 10 stand by him. he started OIL in tue
chase, distancng all his san, and WAS finally left
electricity upon tho struggling ana demoraiized sol
diers. Tns ucn Sheridan did ut least, and while ne
MADE NO remarks Of self-g nc ran over In
detail the positive Of rIde-a ride witnessed
by thousands ana The results oil which are embalmed
immortal history.
AS near as could understand General Sheridan
gives all the credit OF his Victory to his horse he
said he was ING safest aud possessed me best stay
ing,' qualities oil any animal N the army; that ne
SICK and never oub OF humor, and In let
recently written speaks OF the generous animal as
a pension INST, taken care OF ~ long as the
General had home. II there IL any fact well cera
fed 10 connected with The war It - Sheridan's
ride l. b. 4.
now CEDAR CREEK LOOKED TO "NoN
coM."-No MORE RETREATS wHLN LITTLE
PHIL GAME UP.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
ON the morning OF The Cedar Greek hight The regi-
ment In when / served occupied tho extreme right
OF the line, but during the fight We wore made the
extreme left Our corps rhe SIXTH faced the moun-
tains to Tho west the Eighth ana Nineteenth corps
being on our left and facing up tho valley, south.
About four O'Clock in the morning we were ordered
up and marched by fife right, a. double quick,
across the valley as far as the turnpike There we
halted, faced 10 the right (southl which MADE Us the
extreme left, and suppose the right OF the line
rested about where We started IRON. All this time
the straggIers from tho front running through
line, without their arms, and they appeared
thoroughly demoralizeo. AS soon us we formed
in
US. We REFUSED them and they reTeateo
Tho general comma ding our brigade was killed and
our colonel was severely wounded. We thcn Tell back
in good order about three miles and made breast
work OF rails, benlnd winch we LAID down, our line
being right angles with and joining the read. We
had idea oil being ordered 10 attack Inc enemy,
who lay Behind a stono ience. about bali mile from
us, but the impression among US was that We would
stay there until uark ana then tteal away toward
Harper's Ferry. We changed our notions about re-
treating as AS the gallant Phil Came riding up
Ia the Afternoon. win not attempt TO describe the
enocI his appearance nad us Hope took
ing Any one who ever MIN either In
battle or review must have noticed that
Always looked pleasant, oiton laughing Ho turned
The right and rode along the line-n tne rear Of
course. HIS presence itnbued us with The desire 70
wipe the defeat OF the morning. About halipast
Jour made "a charge ON tho stone fence In front,
aud part oi the line WAS REFUSED. sheridan sat
on his horse In the middle OF the road, and
came back ordered US TO advance agatu. We did ana
found the enemy gone. IL appears Custer mad hankod
them.
am writing this to give you description OF the
fight 30 much give the opinion OF tho mon
Inc ranks as to who tho hero OF Cedar Creek was,
when lac mado major general OF nc regular army
shortly alter, We beneved ne richly deserved Tue
title. AT review OF our corps he was heartily
checrea he rode along the line, and that was some
thing seldom done AT Reviews unless We received or
ders cheer lust the line officers received orders
TO salute or not wnen passing tue reviewing officer
Yours truly, l.,
Late Sergeant Company, l22d New York Volunteers.
AUGUST 20, 1875.
THE CHARGE REITERATED THAT SHERIDAN DID