The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1888-08-18

months time, under the tuition of a
fine mathematician named Clark. he
made so much Roadway that he pro-
ceeded to West Point, passed the ex-
animation, and at the age of II was
admitted. Even there he must earn
or perpetuate his youthful sobriquet
Fighting Phil", and for whipping a
higher classman he was hut pack a
year, and did not graduate until 1853,
ing then % years of age.
Upon his graduation he was assign
ed to the infantry branch Of the serv-
ice, serving two years in Texas, and
from 1855 to 1861 in Oregon. At
the commencement of the. late war
he was appointed Quartermaster Of
of Southwest Missouri, his rank being
captain. He was commissioned col
onel of the Second Michigan cavalry,
May %, 1862 by the Governor OF
Michigan, and right here his military
career received "A new impetus. His
five-year old propensities now had a
chance to develop, and it is as cavalry
man that he stands in the military
world without rival, and almost with
out peer. Here his inIpulsiye nature
bad splendid opportunity to assert
itself, and his good horsemanship
marked him pre-emine.-tly as cav
airy officer. Three days after his APP
pointment as colonel Of the 2nd
Michigan cavalry, he vas off on a
raid to Bonneville, and in two days
time was in pursuit Of the enemy re-
treating from Corinth. On the lst of
July in command Of cavalry brigade
he defeated a superior cavalry force
at Bonneville, and from that date was
commissioned Brigadier-General of
volunteers. After this he was trans
ferred to the army Of the Ohio, and
commanded division at the battle of
Perryville, on October 8, '62, where
''he held the key to our position, and
used it to its utmost advantage. At
the battle of Murfreesboro, Dec. 81,
Sheridan's division held the left of the
right wing. An attack on his front
was met well, and the enemy was
driven back, but the two DIVISIONS on
his right gave way, exposing Sheri-
dams flank. He however, hastily
/ formed new line under cover of
charge, and made brave resistance
for over an hour, when he was again
compelled to form a new line. This
line connected with Negley of the
center wing, and the two divisions re-
pulsed three desperate attacks of four
divisions of the enemy. Try to un-
derstand how Sheridan was situated;
double the number attacking in 'front.'
besides hard fighting on the banks
of the troops. and yet brayely holding
his own. At this point Sheridan's
ammunition gave out and still there
must be no retreat. He gave the cry
charge with bayonet", and forth
went those grand men inspired by
their ch;eftain, and managed to hold
their own, until Rosecrans had made
his new dispositions when they retired
from the field. This could not be
counted as victory, but it was any
thing but defeat, and he clearly ey-
inced his ability as an infantry officer,
and won plaudits on every hand re-
ceiying the commission Of Major Gen
eral Of volunteers, dated from the
battle of Stone River and Murfrees-
boro.
In the Tullahoma advance he han
died his men with great precision and
energy. When the confederates cross
ed the Tennessee River he was sent
forward to assist Iianley's cavalry, and
try to save the great bridge at Bridge
port. He dashed ahead with his men
with so much energy that his infantry
outstripped the horsemen they were
to support. In the battle of Chica-
manga, Sept. 19 and 20, 1863, he rem
dered good service to Woods and
Davis's divisions, and although he
was not SO distinguished then as at
Stone River, yet he fought his COM
mand with gallantry, and rs his bio
grapher says, rescued it from peril
Gus isolation, marched it, not like the
rest, toward the rear, but in the dir
ection of the enemys gun.
Very soon after this Rosecrans was
relieved by Gen. Thomas who was rein
forced by troops under Hooker, Slo-
cum, Howard and Sherman, and in
turn Thomas was relieved and General
Grant was commissioned to haye SUI
preme charge of the U. S. forces. All
these changes brought no promotion
for Sheridan; but at the bate of
Missionary Ridge, two months later
he won new laurels, and by his dash
ing gallantry which swept Bragg's
army from the crest of the Ridge
and if there are any of the veterans here
who took that position, they will know
what very mouth Of hell that ridge
was-he closed that memorable action
and attracted the attention and gain
ed the friendship of the Old hero
Grant. These soldiers had met be-
fore on the battle field of Shilo. Grant
knew that Sheridan had belonged to
his old regiment in the regular army
and that he had established for HIM
self a reputation in the army of the
Cumberland for his gallantry and
skill iii the Infantry; but he also knew
that Sheridan had left him eagerly to
join Buell., yearning for the active
service, and the thought of this did
not produce the best Of feeling be-
tween the two illustrious men. Ac-
cordingl ~ Grant had taken little no.
tice of the brave Sheridan on his ar
rival at Chattanooga, but after the
Missionary Ridge episode they became
firm friends, and remained so to the
end of life.
Soon after Grants promotion to
Lieutenant General of the Union fore
es, following his signal victory over
Braggs forces in the west, he called on
the president at Washington, en- route
H. n