Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-08-07
GENERAL EUL0GY.
How Companions and Friends Speak OF
Sheridan.

How Companions and Friends Speak Of
Sheridan.
NEW YORK, August 7.-General W. L,
Sherman has been so snxius during the
entire illness of lieutenant General Sher'
idan that he has taken especial pains te
keep himself informed, and when the dan
ger has been particularly threatening has
remained up all night, in order that he
might receive the dispatch from Washing
ton. When informed by reporter thai
his old friend and comrade WAS dead,
General Sherman was visibly affected,
despite the fact that he had expected the
sad intelligence and was to some extent
prepared for it.
SHERIDAN was eleven years younger
than me-" said General Sherman, mu
singly; "for he was born in 1881. Tt
Mrs Sherman and myself he was always
a comparatively young man. In the
ordinary course Phil should have outlived
one. Now that he is gone the people o.
this country have lost a gallant and great
soldier.
''Sheridan's history is identical with
that of the Army of the Potomac, until hs
was detailed by Grant and sent to the
Shenandoah Valley. He there displayed
the unsquslled characteristics of command.
His dispositions and manoevers at Win
chester were admirable in all their details,
and his success was corresponding.
''He closed the Shenandoah Valley for
ever to the operations of Lees army as a
base of supplies, and line for diversions
into Maryland and Pennsylvania. The
battle of Cedar Mountain or Fishers Hill
will compare with any example in ancient
or modern history, to illustrate the force Of
one man to turn the tide of defeat into
victory. Finally the battle of Five Forks,
which he fought was the real cause OF Lees
abandonment of Richmond and the collapse
of the whole Confederacy."
''Yes, have just heard of General Sher-
idan's death" said General John M, Scho-
field last night, land / am endeaSoring to
recover from the shock given me by the
news. / had entertained hopes that he
would ultimately recover from the attack,
therefore his death has made the blow all
the more severe, now that the end has
come.
~ deeply regret the loss the army has
sustained, and have lost very dear COM
rade and lifelong friend. Sheridan and l
were at West Point together. He entered
the academy in 1SiS and came the follow
ing year. We graduated in the same class,
however in 1853, as did also General Joseph
b. Mcpherson, who was killed in 1864 at
Atlanta while repulsing a sOrtie. John b.
Hood, who rose to the rank
of General in the Confederate service was
likewise fellow classmate of ours.
"He was marked man even at West
Point, for he displayed at that early stage
in his military life the same sterling
quality which subsequently made him
prominent character in our national his
tory.
''Of course you know / was not present
in the Shenandoah Valley during Sher-
idan's famous campaign, but l have had
the scenes in the battles of Winchester and
Cedar Creek viyidly described to me by
competent eye witnesses. From these de-
scriptions ! became convinced that those
important victories were not only gained
by mis- military skill, but were due in a
great measure to his soldierly qualities
aod his personal magnetism and electrical
influence over his troops.
EVERY officer have ever met, what
ever rank they might have held, who
served under Sheridan in the West or East,
have shown by their language that they
honored aud loved him. That Is some
thing you cannot say of every man who
wore the shoulder-straps of General"
Secretary Endicott said: His death is
a great loss to the army and to this de-
partment. l mean practical energetic
man of affairs. He had wide expert
ence, gathered during an active military
life. As a soldier he of course stands by
himself, differing with marked individ-
uality from all our distinguished soldiers"
Gen. Rosecrans said that he learned OF
Sheridan's death with profound sorrow
and regret. ''When took command OF
the small army of the Mississippi" he
said, Sheridan was colonel of Michigan
regiment in that army. knew him
well and watched his career closely.
He was hard fighter, stubborn
and unyieldiDg At Bonneville he won
his first star, and at Stone River and so
on, and every success that has come to
him has been earned. With all his stub
bornness and dash he WAS prudent, eau
tions, q good provider for his army and
was always careful to know the topo-
graphy of the country in which he was
operating.
In response to q request for an express
sion of opinion in regard to Gen. Sheridan,
Secretary Rayard instructed his private
secretary to say for him that he heartily
coueurred in all that the President had said
in his message to Congress in regard to the
services of Gen. Sheridan.
Secretary Whitney learned Of the Cen
erals death through the newspapers this
morning and sent the following telegram to
Colonel Sheridan:
81 must express to you my great per
sonal regret and sorrow and that Of the
whole naval service at the death of Cen
eral Sheridan. 1t is the desire Of this de-
partment to participate in all ceremonies
which may take place in recognition
of his great services to his country, and to
mark the high esteem inwhich such services
are held by his countrymen.
THE President directs me to place at
your service an escort of naval vessels il
your plans should contemplate returning