The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-11-08
PHILIP y. SHERIDAN,
He Assumes Command of the Army
An EpitOme of His Services.

Of all the armies of The United States. lDcre
was no ceremony about the transfer The day
before the LIST, General Sheridan reached the
capital accompanied by his personal staff, and
was met az the depot by the Engineer Commits
si0aer OF the District of Columbia, Major Ly-
decker. and one or two other officers, going 10
Ivdeckcr's house as his guest for few days.
In the afternoon he called upon the Secretary
OF War and General Sherman al the War De-
partment to pay his respects simply. The next
day General sherman performed his last official
act by simply writing a general order by
which he turned over the command Of the
srnv Of the United States to his successor, and
General Sheridan wrote his first order assum-
ing command. General Sherman introduced
the staff officers Of the Department 10 his sue
cessor, and the chiefs of bureaus Of the Navy,
which are chartered In the same building, were
likewise presented. There was no speechmak-
ing, nor expressions of satisfaction or regret,
such as would have been profuse on a civil oc-
oasi0n, but IL was done IS 8 simple every day
affair
CHAT WITH LITTLE PHIL.
A representative Of THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE
called yesterday upon the new commander.
Little Phil is not quite SO slight IN form now
as he was in 1876. With years his form has
rounded ont somewhat, but notso much rs to i'm
pairthe quickness ofactio8 and alertness ofman-
nerwbich has always been noticeable charac-
teristic Of the man. his fifty years have not yet
told upon his wiTy vigor OF body or keenneSs Of
perception. His complexion is rudy, his eyes
dark, with beard and moustache iron-gray. He
is only about five AID half feet in height,
but bis body and head are like those a stalwart
man Of SIX feet. His low stature comes rather
from his shortness of limb and, as he sits in
his Office and turns halfway round on a re-
voiying chair. his visitor is impressed with his
appearance. Els head is large, rising above a
massive chest and more than all the leonine
features of the man betoken the great COM
mander.
are yon fairly settled yet ~ was asked Of
the General.
"oh, yesi" he said; "here at the Depart
nnent. ] am surrounded by my old staff, yousee.
We have not yet moved 10 our OWN house, but
are still with Major Lydecker."
After chatting cheerily for few minutes
about various things, the writer told the Gen.
eral that he would Ike to tell the readers OF
The NATIONAL TRIBUNE how he looked, as so
many years had passed since many Of them had
seen him on the field OF IN camp. He colored
little, and said: " Oh we'll" then, hesitat-
ing moment he said: You know / an q
member of the Grand Army"
lie alluded pleasantly 70 the fact that q
strong Post was Il existence ct Fort Leayen-
worth.
brief outline Of the life Of the man viii be
read with interest at this time. IL would take
volume 10 tell It al, and would naturally in
Folve . complete history Of the last campaign
against the rebellion.
sHERIDAEis cAEEER
he was born at Somerset, Perry county, O.,
March G, 1851, and is, therefore, IN his fifty
second wear now. He was sent 10 West Point and
got into trouble very soon because he did not
propose 10 be imposed upon. Little Phil "
was indeed, mite of Z country boy in those
DAYS and the treatment 10 which he was sub
be run over By an insolent cadet he struck out
from the shoulder so vigorously that the other
man retired for repairs and his diminutiye as
sailant was suspended and sent home for Va
cation not put down in the catalogue. On this
account he was graduated with the class Of
1853 instead OF 1852, with which he entered.
Years ago the writer heard the General tell q
touching anecdote relative TO this affair, and
how his heart failed him when he reached
home al the grief Of his mother, who thought
lie was disgraced for life. Little did she i'm
aeine then that she would live TO see her sons
name shine IN that select galaxy Of great mill
tsry chieftzins 70 whose number the whole
worlds history has added scarcely more than
halfa dozen stars.
Young Sheridan was assigned TO the First
infantry as brevet second lieutenant July l.
1853, and soon afterwards was sent to Texas
IL 1855 he began his active life as 4 soldier,
being ordered 10 the Pacific Coast and taking
part ii the campaign against the Yakima In
dams IA Washington Territory.
Al the battle Of the Cascades, March %, 1856
he frst showed his military genius. The indians
ha6 attacked the bloekhouse al the Cascades o.
the Columbia, and the force within held out
but were vastly outnumbered and hard pressed
A force rTas sent TO relieve the garrison and
raise the siege, Of which Sheridan had the ad.
vance he found the Indians il strong force
but be 50 unanswered as to surprise and cut Of
large number of the chiefs, routing their fol
lowers and relieving the beleaguered company
within the stOckade. General Scott compli.
lnented him for this action in general orders
lie bad been placed in command Of the escort
of Nilliamson's scientific expedition from Sac
ramento 10 the Valley Of the Columbia the pre-
vious year, bat, although the duty was import
ant and Periouss nothing happened of q seriou:
nature.
Ia the meantime he was promoted to ths
Fourth infantry, and remained in the fal
northwest TIL the fall Of 1851, when as captain
OF the Thirteenth infantry, he was ordered Il
the southwest. in November and December
Of that year he was engaged In ST. Louis audit
ing accounts growing out Of Fremonts admin,
istration, and then was assigned TO the duty o.
chief quartermasber Of the Army OF Southwest
Missouri
He was in the Pea Ridge campaign. in March
1862, but not as an active co1nbatant. He haC
charge Of the transportation and supplies fol
the army. Soon after this event he was re
leved- This was brought about by differ
ence Of opinion as TO the propriety Of stealing
horses from the people Of Missouri, between
General Curtis and himself The former order
&c Captain Sheridan 70 take what was at hand
but the latter represented that the people o
this section were on the fence, and az that tirnl
il was uncertain whether they would 20 witt
the Union or the COnfederacy. He thought thi
Government had better not appear, under Ia,
circumstances, as q plunderer, but could max,
good impression by display Of its ability {,
purchase what II needed. Curtis persisted anG
Sheridan replied that he would not be made
jayhawker by anybody's orders" Curti
preferred charges Of disobedience, which wen
dropped, and Sheridan went away TO the Co
ninth campaign as Halleck's quarteTmSster
TIE TURNING POINT.
May p, 1862. perhaps was the turning poin
~ the young officers career, for from the labo
nous but not brilliant duties Of ouarbermas
Ger, he was called TO the command OF the Secona
cavalry regiment Of Michigan by the governo
OF that State As colonel Of this gallant regi
uent Of volunteers be had chance 10 she's
what was in him. He did not have long L
wait for active operations, for three days ate
he took command Of his regiment he was of o.
Ellotts raid to Bonneville, and May % he wa
alter the rebels fleeing from Corinth.
lie won mis- stars July ], Of that year, whel
ne had only been month and five days In TIA
field, by his brilliant action 1T the seconi
battle OF Bonneville. De had q small bgi
gade composed Of two regiments, and wa
attacked By the Conlederates under Chalmer.
WHO had eleven reoiroessfs (.reposr rho M