The Portland daily press., 1888-08-06

James, dashing upon the outworks OF Rich
mond itself. where he took a hundred prts-
oners, and then moving to HaxalPs Landing,
from which point he returned to the army on
the 9th, having destroyed many miles OF
railroad track, besides trains and great
quantity Of rations, and captured $40 Union
soldiers on their way to Libby PrlSoH. Ihe
enemy were repulsed in NUMBER OF engage
ments during this expidition. After the bat
tie Of Cold Harbor, Sheridan was sent, on
June 6, to cut off the Virginia Central rail-
road, near Charlottesville, and to escort
across TO Grants army, the Shenandoah
Valley forces Of General Hunter. After.
severe battle with the enemy's cavalry under
vile nor Gondonsville could be reached.
Sheridan withdrew mis- forces, having broken
the railroad Trevillian. Toward the end Of
July Sheridan meved north of the James TO
aid General Hancocks operations at Deep
Bottom. and, on the 2Sth, was engaged at
Meanwhile Early maintained a threaten
ing position In the valley. Grant According
ly put Sheridan In command Of the Middle
Military Division and. ON September 10.
Sheridan crossed the Opequan and in a hard
battle completely defeated him, sending the
COnfederates, as the victorious general him
self telegraphed 1t, "Whirling through Win
chester" The next day, at General Grants
suggestion, President Lincoln appointed
uchcIdi ohoiiuan DAAba"i0A bonoAai III TIC
regular army.
Then followed the brilliant campaign
against Early, which ended in the surprise
Of the Union troops and the battle of Win
chester, in which Sheridan turned defeat In
to victory. Sheridan had left his army post.
ington at the request Of Mr.. Stanton.
Before sunrise Of October 10, Early
who had been reinforced, aided by fog
surprised the left OF the Union Army, held
/ k.F lrog os.A ar.A w.A
position also Of the Nineteenth Corps. cap.
turing "a guns and about 400 prisoners.
Gen. Wright succeeded In retaining his post
on the turnspike by moving the Sixth Corps
to itswestern side and the Cavalry TO its
eastern, bat the whole army, In the process,
had been driven back beyond Middletown.
Sheridan, who was at Winchester, on his
return from Washington, hearing the noise
battle, dashed up the pike with an escort
OF twenty meu, rallying the fugitives on the
way, and, after ride OF dozen miles reached
the army swhich received him with great
enthusiasm. Having fully prepared his forces
during lull Of several hours, he ordered an
advance and swept the enemy .from the field
in one OF the most overwhelming victories Of
the war. ALI of the lost Union guns were
retaken and "a confederate guns and many
wagons were captured. Congress passed a
vote Of thanks to him and his troops for the
brilliant Series Of Victories In the
Valley and especially the one at
OtudI OIttk. OucIiuhu WAS appOluJcu
by the President 9. Maior-General in
the regular army ."for the personal
gallantry, military skill and just confidence
In the courage and patriotism of your troops,
displayed by you on the 18th of October"
When In the following spring the final cam
paign OF the war began, Sheridan crossed the
Peninsula to James river and March 20 oc-
eupied Dinwiddie court house. Two days
later, he was attacked by heavy force OF
Lees infantry under Pickett and Johnston
but the following day, April 1st. reinforced
by the Fifth Corps. Sheridan, by beautiful
routed Pickett and Johnston at Five Forks,
capturing thousands Of prisoners. Peters
burg being assaulted the next morning, Lee
abandoned that city and Richmond and took
tofight. The pursuit was prompt, with
Sheridan far in the van, constantly harass.
ingthe enemy and finally. aided by the Sixth
and Second Corps, capturing nearly all of
EwelPs Brigade on the 9th, at Sailors Creek.
Two days later Sheridan again fought the
enemy at Appomattox Station. Lee surren-
dered on the 9Th.
Later in April, Sheridan conducted an ex-
pedition into North Carolina, and on June 3
took command OF the military division Of
the Southwest, at New Orleans. Relieved
by President johnson. Aug. 20, 1867, during
the reconstruction troubles in Louisiana, he
was appointed Sept 18th 10 the Department
Of the Missouri with headquarters at Chica-
go. During the Franco-German war Of 1870
II, he visited Europe, and was present as a
spectator at several famous engagements
On Nov, I, 1883. by. direction, OF President
Arthur, he assumed command Of the Army
of the United States, with headquarters al
Washington, in place Of Gen. Sherman, who
was relieved by request preparatory to re-
tirement in the spring Of 1884.
With the sickness Of General Sheridan
from an organic trouble Of the heart and his
long and brave strength for life. the public
is familiar. When the summers heat COM
menced to make the Generals Washington
home unsuitable, he was carried In govern.
ment vessel to beautiful spot on the Massa.
that the ocean breezes and pure air might
| help to restore the sufferer to health. The
action of Congress in recently commissioning
| General Sheridan as General Of the Army is
also fresh in the minds of the people.