The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-12-29
How Phil Sheridan Became Soldier.

It is a well-known fact that General
Sheridan's parents were people in very
humble circumstances, and that his fa-
ther had hard struggle to support and
educate his large family, and it was nee.
essary for the boys early in life to seek
employment in order that they might
support themselves and assist their fa-
ther as much as possible. They were all
unusually bright and industrious, and
were not only willing but anxious to do
all they could.
At the time of which We write the
Lancaster (Ohio) Congressional District,
in which old Mr.. Sheridan aud his fam
ily resided, was represented by Demo-
crat. This member was entitled to the
appointment of cadet at the West Point
Military Academy, as were all other
members under the law Before he had
made selection, however, two OF his
constituents, both friends Of his, very
wealthy, each concluded that he would
like to have his son receive the appoint.
ment, and accordingly each started out
among his friends in the district to OBJ
tain recommendations to the member OF
Congress for the appointment Of his son.
The men were both we'll liked, aud, as
consequence, through their determined
efforts, almost all of the people in the
district had taken sides. and the Con-.
gresham was pressed upon all sides to
appoint one or the other. He was in
dilemma; to appoint either would bring
the eenmity of the other and all his friends.
He concluded he would advise with Thos.
Ewing, one of Ohio's greatest men, who
was then a Senator and resided IN
the town of Lancaster. Accordingly
he went to the Senator's house and ex-
blamed the situation to him. After
thinking the matter over for moment,
the senator said, "If I were in your place
/ would not appoint either of these boys:
I would select some poor mans son and
send him; each of these men and his
friends would be glad that you did not
appoint the others son, and the whole
people of the district would applaud you
for sending poor boy" 'Thats cap
ital idea !" remarked the now delighted
member, as he saw way out of the diff.
Guilty: "but where is there boy l can
send?" Just then old Mr.. Sheridan, who
was employed by Senator Ewing, walked
into the dining-room where the two
were sitting, with some stove wood in
his arms. "Therc," said the senator,
s.is Sheridan; he has some bright boys,
and YOU couldn't do better than to send
one of them" In the meantime sheri-
dan had deposited his wood in the box
behind the stove and was going out OF
the room. "Sheridan," said the senator.
chow would you like to have one OF
your boys 60 to West point'" II don't
know, SIR" replied Sheridan; II never
thought of that, and you know better
about it than I do. Iwou!d leave it all
to you, sir" "Well," said the senator,
''if either was to be sent, which would
you prefer to have go3" 81 don't know
about that either. sir. If it's for books
you want him, you had better send Nike;
but if it's for fighting you want him, you
had better send Phil and Sheridan
went his way. 'There," said the Sena-
tor to the Congressman, "there's your
chance. It's for fighting you want him.
now send Phil Sheridan, land he did
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