The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-09-27
ARMY oFTHE CUMBERLAND
Gen. AIEer's Eloquent Tribute to Gen. Sheridan.

ent. The address of welcome was delivered by
Maj. 4. T. Stevenson, of Chicago, and Gen.
R0secrans was made Chairman. The meeting
was devoted to the transaction of routine bust
ness and the appointment of various commit
tees.
Col Stone, Chairman of the Memorial Com
mittee, submitted the names of the members
who died during the year, as follows: MAJ
Gen. w. i. Elliott; Surg. i. A. Highway, Ohio (;
Maj. J. Lowrey, Denver; Gen. p. III. Sheridan ;
Breyet Maj. Gen. Stoughton, Michigan; Brevet
Maj.-Gen. w. A. Underwood, Boston; Brevet
Maj. Zen. w. C. Whitaker, Louisville; Brevet
Col. Charles I. Wing New York; Brevet Brig.
Gen. Thomas Young, Cincinnati; Gen. Gran
vile Moody, Ohio.
Gen. Fullerton offered q motion that COM
mittee Of nine be appointed to consider the
question of erecting an equestrian monument
al Washington in honor Of Gen. Sheridan.
An amendment was made that member of
the society of each State be appointed. The
matter was laid over. a committee was ap-
pointed TO consider the advisability of procur-
ing button, to distinguish the members of the
association.
At Central Music Hall Gen. Russell A. Alger
of Michigan, delivered eulogy on the late
Gen. Sheridan.
Standing now in the full light of Sheridan's
glory" began Gen. Alger, what can l say of
him that has not been better said, from pulpit
soul broke its mortal bands in his quiet resting
place by the sea and took its flight to the realms
of Him who gave it?"
Gen. Alger then recited the familiar facts of
Gen. Sheridan's boyhood and his life as a SOL
der, DEPRESSING now and then to relate some in
cident or to pay tribute to some of the soldiers
characteristics. At West Point, he said, Sheri-
dan was hardworking boy, but rather bellig-
erent, quick to resent even the appearance Of
insult, whatever the consequences might be.
Thus il came abOut that he was set back year
in his course, and many dement's had to be can
Celed at that as lie frequently said himself, to
enable him TO graduate at all.
Passing briefly over Sheridan's service in the
Northwestern Territories between 1855 and
1861, Gen. Alger came TO the trying days of the
Spring Of 1862, when the need of experienced
officers became so apparent. Sheridan was
serving as Quartermaster on Gen. Halleck's
staff when, in May of 1862 he was made Colo
mel of the ID Mich. Cav, and began that career
which has raised him to the front rank of the
greatest soldiers Of all time.
Let me sketch Sheridan to you" said Gen.
Alger, +" as he appeared standing in front of his
tent on that eyentful May morning when the
letter appointing him Colonel of the ID Mich.
Cav. sent by Michigan's famous war Governor,
Austin Blair, was handed to him. In stature
about five feet five inches, weight 125 pounds,
with large head, piercing eye, broad shout
ders, and tapering to his feet much like an iron
wedge, and, as his command afterward learned,
about as firm. AS was always his custom, his
uniform coat was buttoned to bis chin and he
looked every inch a soldier, as he was. When
he received his appointment his surprise and
delight seemed about equal. Soon he was sur
rounded by his brother staff officers, who were
profuse in their congratulations, and when one
of them proposed his health, with the hope that
his Colonels commission would be only step
TO a Brigadier's star, Sheridan replied instantly,
No, thank you; am now Colonel of cavalry
and have all the rank l wish He
wore his Captains uniform coat with its one
row of buttons and pair of infantry Colonel's
shoulder straps. The latter, probably, were all
he could procure after his appointment. He
was resOlute man, and his command soon
learned the fact that, unless in camp two parties
were III constant danger-the enemy and them
selves. He was always genial and easily ap-
preached, except in battle, when his whole ma
ture seemed to change, and woe to the man
who crossed him while the fight was On.
Speaking of this fact not year since, when
told be was always ugly in battle, he replied,
guess that was SO; it was the way always
felt
One of the strong characteristics of Gen.
Sheridan was his intense devotion TO the cause
of the North. Soldering with him was not
mere occupation, road to crafty personal am
bitiOn, but he believed intensely that rebellion
was a crime and that it ought to be punished
BE had no patience whatever with the people
Of the North who either sympathized with the
rebellion or spoke discouragingly about putting
it down or disparagingly Of the force that was
crushing il.
Among the new-made graves on the banks
OF the peaceful Potomac overlooking The Capt.
tai Of the Nation, surrounded by thousands Of
his comrades who fell by his side is that con-
tanning all that is mortal Of this great man
and comrade. He died, as hero dies facing
the dread destroyer without murmur and as
his form was borne away to its last resting place
at Arlington loyal people gathered around
his grave and bathed the new made mound that
covers his lifeless form with their tears Great
soul, loving father, devoted husband, loyal
friend, your life, your affection for your
country, your record as a soldier and as man
are the heritage of grateful Nation.
country broken, you helped TO rebuild; d.
yided sentiment you helped to make one. On
the bow of promise, which, spanning this great
land, assures Us that peace, unity and con-
ccrd shall remain forever, are inscribed the
names Of the men who placed it there. and at
its apex shines in letters as bright as the day
that shall never fade, the immortal name, Sheri-
dan"
After the session at Central Music Hall a
symposium with the Chicago members of the
military order Of the Loyal Legion was held
al the GfAn0 racine uOtel.
The society resumed its session Sept. 20 at
- o'clock, and was called to order by Gen
ROsecrans, who announced the committee on
monument to Gen. Sheridan. He said that
the members Of the committee would not all be
from the Society of the Army Of the Cumber-
land, but they could at least be chosen from no
society that Gen. Sheridan was not a member
of. The names Of the committee are: Gen. J.
5. Fullerton, Col. Henry Stone Gems Russell
A. Alger, Jas. Barnett, G. L. Henderson, Henry
G. COrbin, A. G. Ducat w. III. Lambert and ].
u. Morgan. It was decided 10 hold the society's
next annual meeting at Chattanooga, Tenn,
Sept. Is, IS and 20, 1889.
Resolutions Of regret at the death Of Gen.
Sheridan, and rendering the sympathies Of the
society TO his family, were adopted.
The following officers were then elected for
the ensuing year: President, Gen. w. S. Rose
Grams; Corresponding Sec, Gen. Henry NJ Cist /:
Recording Sec, Col. John w. Steele; Treas.
Gen. j. 5. Fullerton; Vice Presidents, Col. j.
w. Burke, Capt. S. A. Virgins, Gen. Thomas
Il. CritUenden, Mai. w. T. Wise, Col q. q.
Amens and Capt. ManOn II. Anderson.
a committee was appointed TO consider the
adFisability of recommending to Congress the
purchasing Of the old battlefield of Chicka-
manga and erecting q monument there similar
to the one at Gettysburg.
Attention, ISOth ILL.,
The survivors Of the both Ill. are requested
TO Immediately forward their full name, COM
psny and postOfice address to H. J. Conoyer.
Corresponding Secretary Of the Regimentai