The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-08-09

| his stubborn resistance. For MS Rallanl
conduct he was promoted to be major
general of volunteers. In April, 1864
he was called to the army OF
the Potomac by General Grant, put
in command of the cavalry corps, and
within the months of May, June and
July, besides protecting the TANKS of the
army and accommodating the enemy's
position, was successfully engaged in
eighteen distinct actions. On August 4,
1864, he was put in command of the army
of the Shenandoah, and soon after of the
middle military division, where he gained
several gu ,cesses over General Early, for
which he was made brigadier-genera of
the United States army, and in November
following was made major-general. He
Joined General Grants army at City Point,
from whence he started March 20, 1865, to
strike the final blow for the overthrow of
General Lees army of northern Virginia.
He fought the battle of Dinwiddie court
house March 81, and that of Five Forks,
which necessitated Lees evacuation of
Richmond and Petersburg April l, and as
the army of northern Virginia fled he
constantly attacked and harrassed them,
and compelled their surrender at Apo
mattox court house April 8, 1866. He
was assigned to the command of the
military division of the southwest
June 3, and of that of the gulf June
II, 1855. Under new Or
ganization of the military districts
and departments he was assigned to the
department of the gulf, August 10, 1866,
aud in March, 1867, to the Fifth military
district Louisiana and Texas. President
johnson, being displeased with his ad-
ministration, transferred him September
II, 1867, to the department of the Mis-
souri,, where he continued until March,
1863, when, by the promotion of Sherman,
he became lieutenant-generala ana assumed
command of the western and southwestern
military divisions, with headquarters at
Chicago. In 1870 Sheridan was assigned
by the government to observe the mill
tary operations in Europe, and, IN dis
charge of that duty, accompanied the
military headquarters of William, king of
Prussia, subsequently emperor of Ger
many. He was present at all the great
battles that occurred on the German
advance through the eastern provinces of
France, and remained in France until the
conclusion of peace. He had great
sympathy for the French nation in its
calamities, and believed that the French
army, properly commanded, would have
been fully equal to the successful defense
of its country. In 1888, on the retire
ment of Gen. W. T. Sherman, he succeeded
him in command, and just before his
death was promoted, in accordance with
an act of congress, to the rank and tItls
of General of the Army.
THE PRESIDENT NOTIFIED.
WASHINGTON, August 6.-The president
was informed of the death of General
Sheridan this morning, and Immediately
sent the following dispatch to Mrs. Sheri-
dan:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D.
c., August 6.-To Mrs. Sheridan, Nonquitt,
Mass, via New Bedford, Mass: While the
nation mourns its loss and shares your
sorrow let me express TO you my personal
grief and most sincere coincidence.
Signed GROVER CLEVELAND"
The president received the first infor-
nation of General Sheridan's death by
telephone message sent to him at Oak
view from the White House by
Colonel Lamont, who arrived there
about 1870 o'clock this morning.
The president had decided to remain at
Oakview during the day but this news al
tered his plans and he decided to come in
to the city. He reached the White House
about 1O:45 O'Clock and sent word for the
secretary of war to meet him at the White
House. In the meantime the following
executive order was issued:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, d. O.,
August 6, 18S8.-As mark of respect to
the memory of General Sheridan, the
president directs that national flags be
displayed at half mast on all the buildings
of the executive departments in the city
of Washington until after his funeral
shall. have taken place.
By direction of president.
DANIEL S. LAMONT,
Private secretary.
Colonel Kellogg, of General Sheridan 9
staff, left Washington this afternoon at 2
o'clock for Nonquitt. He took with him
the generals uniform and sword. The
secretary of war will issue a general order
to the army this afternoon, announcing
General Sheridan's death and directing
that flags at all military posts be placed at
half mast.
l. ub pr6blu6ub has uCSlN0u uhdp "dJOt
General Schofeld, commanding the divis-
ion of the Atlantic, with headquarters at
New York, be ordered to Washington at
once to assume command, and telegram
to that effect was sent to him by acting
Acknowledgement Kelton this afternoon.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT TO CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, August 6.-The president
has directed Major-general Schotield to
take charge of the military arrangements
for the funeral of General Sheridan and to
consult Mrs. Sheridan's wishes on the sub
iect. This countermands the previous
order for General Schofield to come to
Washington, and he will go to Nonquitt in
stead.
The president sent the following mes
sage to congress at II O'Clock.
To the Senate and House of Representatives:
IL becomes my painful duty to an
nouuce to congress and to the
people of the United States the
death of Philip Sheridan, general
of the army, which occurred at late hour
last night at his summer home in the
state of Massachusetts. The death of
this valiant soldier and patriot OF the re-
public though his long illness has been
regarded with anxiety-has nevertheless
shocked the country and caused universal
geief. He had established for himself
stronghold on the hearts of his fellow
countrymen, who soon caught the true
meaning and purpose of his SOL