Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-08-06
A Sketch of Sheridan S Life.

Among all the heroes of the late civil war
there was perhaps none other whose military
record was characterized by such brilliant
achievement and conspicuous bravery as was
Sheridans. He was host in himself
courageous, bold, daring, and the ideal
leader of that part of the army to which he
originally belonged. He was peculiar in his
leadership Never did he command his men
to perform service or attempt a feat of
danger, without including himself in the
command 1t was, Boys, let MS, "
or BOYS, IRE must" He was one of the
soldiers No one fails to remember the ride
to Winchester when, his steed covered with
foam, he met his flying troops and led them
from defeat and rout to victory. The
assurances of his words. Boys, we are
going to beat them, yet bad much TO do
with his turning thousands of fleeing men
back, reformed and formidable host, that
was determined on success. Better than any
other of his army career does this incident
illustrate the man and his influence over
men. Better than any other deed of bravery
does it show the cause for the esteem and
honor in which Sheridan has been held by
the American people, North and South.
Men always recognize manhood whether in
friend or an enemy. Sheridan's name
has therefore by all been closely coupled with
Grants, Sherman's, Iiancocks and those of
hundreds of other gallant Generals who led
the hosts of right in the great conflict with
wrong.
Philip Henry Sheridan was born at Somer
set, Ohio, March 6, 1881. Very little is
known concerning his early years. Even his
birth place is disputed. Recently it has been
declared that he was born in Ireland and again
that he was born in New York. His mother
has however, we believe, stated that SOmer-
set was his birthplace Possibly one of the
chief reasons why SO little is known concern
ing his youth is because his parents being of
another nationality and in rather humble cir
cumstances, forced to seek livelihood by
hard labor, did not occupy very prominent
position in affairs. There is even no authen-
tic record of his education until in 1888 he
graduated from West Point and was assign
ed to the LIST Inf, as brevet second lieuten-
ant. He was soon ordered to Texas and in
1855 transferred to the Pacific Coast, serv-
ing in Washi: gton and Oregon Territories
till 1861 at which date he was captain of the
18th Inf The civil war demanded his ser
vices and he was made Chief Quartermaster
of the army of Southwest Missouri. After
the battle of Pea Ridge he joined Haleck
made the Bonneville raid and pursued the
retreating Confederates from Corinth His
victory over the enemy at Bonneville made
him Brigadier General of Volunteers, from
that event Transferred to the Army of the
Ohio we find him at Perryvi where he held
the KEY of our position and used the point to
utmost advantage From Murfreesboro, he
became Major General of Volunteers. At
Chicamauga he gallautly rescued his division
from perilous position. His services at
Chattanooga gained him additional renown.
When Grant was made Lieutenant General
of the Union forces, he appointed Sheridan
chief of the cavalry Of the Union army.
His services to Grant during 1854 were very
important, and contributed very greatly to
the success of the campaign against Lee.
Aug. I, he was given the command of the
"midde division He then battled against
Early, and his victorious army received the
especial thanks of Congress. He was Gre
ated Major General of the regular army.
DESTROYING the Virginia Central, the James
River Canal. immense quantities of supplies,
and defeating Early again, he joined Grant
at Petersburg. His victory at Five Forks,
compelled Lee to evacuate Petersburg. Pur-
suing, Sheridan captured his four supply
trains and at Appomatox resisted him till
dark on the sth, and on the 9th the Confed-
crate leader surrendered. His subsequent
services in the south west and in Missouri
were eminently successful and of great ad-
vantage to the government. March T. 1863.
he was created Lieutenant General, and
placed in command of the Union forces Nov.
|, 1883.
Gen Sheridan was in every sense a soldier.
He was not only bold and brilliant but pos
sessed of an intuitive military insight He
saw chances, he saw the succession of events
he saw the conditions governing these events.
But Sheridan was more than soldier. He
was in a certain sense a statesman. Though
not identified TO any great extent his abilities
in this direction were recognized by many
and his name was frequently mentioned in
connection with the Presidency. His opinion
on all State matters, civil and military, was
sought and carried great weight. President
Cleveland was one of his admirers, and dur
ing his recent illness constantly filled his
room with the choicest flowers from the
White House,
In the death of Gen. Sheridan the nation
has lost one of its greatest men, one of its
most faithful and powerful friends, and one
of its most devoted advocates. The whole
force of his nature was concentrated patriot
ism, and bis name will always symbolic these
several necessary characteristics of an Ameri
can citizen.