The Iola register., 1886-10-01
GRANT AND SHERIDAN.
The Love Which the Heroes Bore
Each Other.
Sheridan's Splendid Work Against Early
His Cheerfulness and Inspiring Con-
fidence During the Petersburg
Campo; Sn-A Great Lieu.
tenant and Soldier.

Stanton had fallen, and the next Of
ficial victim was to be Sheridan. STAN
ton was suspended on August II, and
on the 18th Grant received the PreSi-
dents commands for the removal of
Sheridan. He at once protested against
the execution of the order. He was, in
deed, profoundly moved, and even ex-
asperated, for his regard for Sheridan
had now become personal. Sheridan
had almost grown up as a General under
Grants own eye, until finally the chief
declared the subordinate the peer of any
soldier of any time. Often have I
listened to Grants encomiums of the
Soldier of the Valley. More than once
have l witnessed manifestations of re-
gard on both sides as touching as they
were honorable to him who gave and
him who received. The history of their
relations is like a story from Homer. 1t
was the friendship of chnftains, the
love of strong men who had stood side
by side in war and watched each other s
deeds. Soon after Shiloh, Sheridan
joined the army in. Tennessee and so
distinguished himself that Grant at once
perceived his military quality. In Sep-
tember. 1862, Grant was ordered to send
a portion of his command to reinforce
Rosecrans. He was at the landing HIM
self when the troops embarked, and
noticed Sheridan among them at the
head of his brigade. ''You here, Sheri-
danr' he exclaimed 81 did not mean
that You should leave me-" for he was
unwilling to lose a man of whose stuff
he was so sure. But Sheridan thought
that to 60 to Rosecrans at that time
was to 60 where there would be more
fighting, and he showed no desire to re-
main. Grant was nettled at this, and
allowed his subordinate to depart; little
dreaming, either of them, how import
ant they were to be to each other on
grander and distant theaters. Grant
told nae this story years ago. to add 10 a
sketch of Sheridan was writing for the
Century Magazine.
Soon, however, the chief followed the
subaltern to the same field. and again.
at Chattanooga, the fiery spirit and
genius of Sheridan commended them
selves to his superior. Grant always
spoke in glowing language ofSheridan' S
charge at Mission Ridge, and still more
warmly of. the pursuit of the enemy
afterward. He already detected that
quality SO rare even in illustriOus SOL
diers-the power to make the most of a
victory.
When he became General-in-C Chief,
Grant a once put Sheridan at the head
of the Eastern cavalry. I remember
asking him about the new commander,
whom At that time l had never seen,
and his praise was enthusiastic as he
described the energy and ability, the
promptness and persistency. of his sub
altern. Grant indeed always became
eloquent when he talked Of Sherman or
Sheridan. His tongue was loosened
then, however taciturn ct other times.
His face was flushed with generous ar
dor, his eve cleaned and he even gestic-
ufated 4 little when he told of their
achievements.
But ignorant of the great things for
tune had in store for him, Sheridan was
at this time reluctant to leave the West.
Not that he was in the least unwilling