New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-08-06
A BRILLIANT CAREER.

Tho b,-tbnIace of the great commander, Lieutenant
General Philip Henry Sheridan, whose death IS 10
corded above has been matter OF dispute Masss
chusetts where his parents lived for time before
his birth Albany, n. Y, and even County Cavan, IN
the North Of Ireland whence his parents migrated
to this country have been credited with the honor Of
his nativity. But the best authorities agree with the
statements made in whitelaw Red's Ohio In the
War; from which this sketch IS drawn-that he was
born on March O. 1881, at the village OF Somerset
Perry County, Ohio dozen miles from tho birthplace
Of his great comrado. General william I. sherman.
His family were Of pure Irish blood and not descend
ants OF Cromwelps scotch colonsts; and they werc
devoted adherents TO the Roman Catholic Church.
The boy grow up with the keen and ready wit and
pugnacious spirit Of typical young Cet II is told
that at the age OF five years he learned to rde half
broken colt, without brdle saddle At the village
school his ready learning was the pride, as MS mis-
chievous tricks were the burden OF the tsachors life
Aftor getting such instruction as the school
afforded he became assistant in the village hard
store, and being active Intelligent and faithful
won tho favor and enlisted in his behalf the interest
OF his employer. That gentleman, Mr. Talbot, gave
him private instruction in mathematics and history
and such other English studies had not been In
cuded In the neagre curriculum Of the school After
time the lad left Mr. Talbot, and entered the store
OF Henry Detton, at the same village. There he
tnued his studios, and made up his mind to rise TO
more elevated and extended stage Of usefulness than
that OF a village sorekeeper.
Presently his chance There a vacancy
at West Point to be filed from that district. Gen
eral Thomas Ritchey the Representative
In Congress and he received many influential ap.
rllcations from constituents whose sons were ambi-
tous OF military fame Al last" said General
Rtchey, there came letter accompanied by no
testimonials, no influential recommendations, or ap-
peals from wealthy parents. 1t simply asked that
the place might be given 10 the writer, and was
signed Phil Sheridan The boy needed recon-
mendauon, for knew him and his father before him,
and appointed him at once Young Sheridan was
seventeen years old when IN Is4s he entered the West
Point Military Academy, and he had for his classmates
many who BECAME known to the world by their
achievements lfthe War Of tho Rebellion, among them
being Generals Mcpherson, schoheld, Terrill sill and
] yler, and the rebel general Hood.
Al West Point he not notably brilliant
scholar But he ranked far above the average and
would have stood much higher on the roll than he did
had IL not bcen for his overfowng animal spirits His
love Of fun and dislike Of cOnvcnionatss constantly
led him into petty breaches Of discipline, which the
faculty were sorry TO record against him. for ne was
n universal favorte with them. But ono day his
offence was than petty. II consisted In tho ad-
mnstaon OF roy al good thrashing to another cahet
who had insulted him. This could not be overlooked
nor pardoncd, and the penalty was an extra Year AZ
| West Point So he put back year. and while
McPherson schoned and the rest OF his old classmates
were graduated in 1852, he did not get his diploma
until 1853. ,u,,,c ,,,n,,Ns
At the age twenty then, Phil Sheridan bade
.s,.u IN west Point and assigned to serve his
country I'm tho Infantry Regiment brevot second
| lieutenant He went to Texas In that capacity Il
| 1ght the Apachcs. A singehanted encounter with
| a savage chief, whom he killed, and the consequent
destruction of hostile band, his first seriou'
! engagement. But brcause some part Of hi,
condnct was technically ircgular-he only
offended tho martinez who was his commanding Officer
| he got no credit for his valor. For two yoa>
| he did good service, but failed to gain tho scot