Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-11-30
LIEUTENANT GENERAL sHERI.
DAN.
An Interesting Review or his Career.


An Interesting Review or his Career.
George II. Pond In IIarper's Weekly
In parting with the honorcd and ilustrious
General, under the law Of retirement for age,
the army is fortunate in being able to call
to It's head so dlstin yui he'd successor as
Lieutcnant.General Philip II. Sheridan.
As this officer, in the prime of manhood,
now reaches the highest prize open to the
soldiers's profession in America, a backward
glance will naturally be cast upon his career
with view to anticipate his probable con-
duct in his new position. Is that dsshug
soldcrship, 1t has been asked, which gave
Sheridan his laurels, compatible with the
cautious, wise stability, needed at at the
head of the army 1t might be briefly an
swcred that the impetuosty OF youth not
infrequently becomes steadiness in the veter.
an OF nifty; but the true response 10 that
Sheridan was never mere beau sabreur.
The quality which made him popular hero
was fiery energy on the field; the qualities
which have brought him to his present
exalted place are stanchncss, acumcn, and
gread prudence, combined with whatever
qualities are necessary for general officer
lnlS nlS history VIII snow.
In the first stages of the civil war Captain
Sherman was Curlis's quartermaster, some
where out in Missouri, and one muses. what
his subsequent career might have been save
for lucky disagreement that left him idle,
and free to become the Colonel Of the Second
Michigan Cavalry. AS Colonel his conduct
during Elliolps raid upon Bonneville, in
May, 1862, led TO his command of the
brigade and month later his fight at the
same point elected this encomium from
Rosectans 1.-THE GOODNESS, determination,
aud fearless gallantry displayed by Colonel
Sheridan, and the officers and men Of his
command, in this action deserve the thanks
and admiration OF the army" At Perry
vile, the ensuing October, he distinguished
himself for good judgment and wariness.
But it was IN the subsequent fierce three
days engagement among the cedar brakes Of
Stone River, which saw the old year out and
the new year in, that Sheridan first clearly
exhibited his tactical skill in the stress Of
battle and his splendid stcadfastness. 'For
hours, says one historian, 'he held the con-
fcderatcs at bay-hours precious, priceless,
wrenchcd from fate and an exultant foe by
the skill and courage of this officer, and
bought by the blood of his valiant men.
All TO his tight had gone like seaweeds torn
by waves from jut,iug crags; but the swell
ing surgts dashed in vain against the rock.
like resistance of this division. He had lost
Still in the first onset; he had lost Roberts,
soon afierward Shaeifer-all his brigrde
commanders killed. lie had lost 1906 men
and with the cost of their heroic blood had
won three hours, which Rosccrans had been
using to the best advantage. Here is all
that are left said he, sadly, as he joined his
chief" Az Chickamanga Sheridan offered a
like stubborn front to the cnemy's fury
there fell another brigade commander,
the lamcnied Lvtlc. In the ever memorable
storming of Missionary Ridec-that famous
battle in which the soldiers of the Army Of
the Cumberland forced heir way to the foot
of the ridge by the orders of the General
commanding, and then swept over It's sum.
nit "hy their own"--it was ''thc centre OF
Shcridans DIVISION General Cist tells US
that reached the top first, rs they were
nearest the crest instantly seconded by tho
whole line, breaking almost simultaneously
all over the heights. Such was the climax Of
Shcridans career at the West.
Ilalltck, who is entitled TO the credit Of
having commended Captain Sheridan. ther
at lis headquarter, to the Governor of Mich
igan, when that magistrate applied to hin
for an officer u command cavalr,
regiment, now rendered another good service
For when General Grant, planning his Vir
ginia campaign of 1864, spoke of his anxiety
to find suitable head for the Cavalry Corps
of the Army of the Potomac, "Why not TAX,
Sheridan! p suggested Halleck; and Gran,
ans VERDI 1.-The very man." The result OIL
this choice, made known from step to ster
throughout the campaign from the Rapidar
to Arpoma,tox, is familiar history.
The combination of good soldicrship and
good fnttunn fpnp1 in nearly oil mil
tary successes is visible in Sheridan's
Virginia campaigns. Had not his troops
contided in his skill, they could have safely
trusted to bis star; but they believed in
both. OF his cavalry operations with the
Army of the Potomac, and his conduct of the
campaign in the volley Of the Shenandoah, u
distinguishing trait was the extreme precau-
lions he invariably took 10 insure victory
before willingly undertaking an operation.
Few, il any, Union generals ever fought less
at hap-hazard, or with more careful prelimi-
nary study, or accomplished greater results
with less loss. Even when batiled by the
enemy he had the art of putting bold face
on the situation, and of pcrsuading others
that on the whole, the outcome had been
success. ITO most temperaments," writes a
former staff officer, disaster is dishearten-
ing, but it passes by General Sheridan as an
Stby S'ihto l'uuu u plcl' bouDtltsS IL Is
true of Sheridan, as of every other Union
leader in the Virginia campaigns, that were
he to conduct them again, with the light Of
present knowledge, he would here and there
pursue different course; but it cannot be
asserted tina. he has any manGuvers of rash
ness to regret, or that any conceivable
change OF method or fortune would have
added to his present renown as a popular
hero.
There is ground for believing that the
career Of Sheridan has not yet reached its
climax. Meanwhile there cannot fail to be
widespread satisfaction in seeing at the head
of the army one who rendered the country
services So brilliant in its days Of need, and
perhaps also certain feeling of confidence
in the propitious influences that have hilher-
to attended his public career and crowned it