The National tribune., 1888-08-09

in which he behaved so CALAMITY as to mcrit
special attention in General Orders.
1857.
He was in command of the Yakima Reserva-
ton, and was mentioned by Gen. Scott for
faithful services having concluded an sdvan-
tageOus treaty with the tribe. He remained in
this country until the year 1861, having earned
in the meantime the rank of First Lieutenant
1862.
A Captains commission reached him aIongwi
the news ofimpending war. lie was soon order
ed to report at Jefferson Barracks, No. where he
arrived at the time of the removal Of Gen Ere
mont from the command of the Department of
Missouri, and was made President of a board
to audit claims under Fremont's administra-
ton. He was then made Quartermaster and
Commisssry for Gen. Curtis's army, operating
in southern Missouri and Arkansas during the
Pea Ridge campaign. He criticized Curtis, and
after the battle of Pea Ridge was sent to st.
Louis under arrest He went with Gen. Hal
leck to COrinth.
At this time the Cd Mich. Cav. wanted a
Colonel, and Sheridan was thought of, rendered
the position and was soon at the head of that
gallant regiment. Here commenced his milf
tary career proper for in few days after as
Stunning command of his regiment be COM
menced raid which was successful. He then
took command of two regiments, and he man
aged this command so well that he was placed
in command of cavalry brigade. He whip
ped Chalmers at Bonneville with less than half
the force opposed to him, the enemy leaving
his dead and wounded on the field and retreat
ing out Of Sherdan's reach. For this victory
aG Bonneville he was made Brigadier- General
of Volunteers and assigned to the command OF
q brigade of cavalry, and displayed such sa-
gscity, bravery, vigor and industry that he
was soon placed in command OF a division Of
of infantry, and did noble and gallant work at
the battle of Perryville, Oct. 8, 1862, where hs
held the key to the position with tenacity
and courage unsurpassed. His next serious
work was in the battle of Stone River, where
Sheridan again covered himself with glory,
bringing his division Off after the rest of the
corps had retreated, intact, with the exception
of the dead, which were necessarily left upon
the field. For his gallant conduct upon this
field he was made Major General, and while
ROsecrans must remain the central figure Of
this great battle to Sheridan belongs the credit
of stopping the disastrous retreat which would
have occurred had he not, when entirely CUT
of ammunition, ordered his men to 90 at them
with the bayonet which was done in the most
gallant manner, and the stampede which had
already begun was checked, and the roat turned
TO victory.
1863.
During this year Gen Sheridan remained
with the Army of the Cumberland reorganiz-
ing his division. He enacted a conspicuous
part in the bloody battle of Chckamauga,
using his division as a support to Thomas. and
doing such gallant work that he was again
commended in General Orders.
But perhaps his greatest success was at the
battle OF Chattanooga, when his division was
one of those which claim the honor of being
the first upon Missionary Ridge. Sheridan
himself said that when his men had gono over
the rifle pits at the foot of the hill, and then
began the ascent of the ridge, no did not have
the heart to stop those gallant fellows, although
they had no orders to go up; but when be saw
them climbing those PERCEPTIONS sides Of the
mountain he said Go on, boys, and take him
from his stronghold" which they did.
His services on this occasion, no matter what
may have gone before, were like the moon is tC
the stars-much greater and more brilliant
He was everywhere cheering on his men, and
when the summit was reached and taken ht
was not satisfied with victory, perhaps tbs
greatest of the war, but he controlled his troops
and started in immediate pursuit, and kept OF
the heels of the enemy until night, fatigue and
hunger babe him halt.
1s64-65.
During the year 1864 sheridan's star was al
ways in the ascendant. From May, 1864, K
| april, 1865, he was able to say that the army
under his command had sent to the War De
! partment 205 battleilags which had been capt
ured-nearly as many as all the armies of tht
| United States combined had captured. Besides
this he had captured between 100 aud ITO pieces
| of artillery.
He rode around Richmond and defeated
| Stuart in several important engagements, ani
| utterly demoralized the rebel Capital He wa
! then placed in command of the troops in thu
| Shenandoah Valley, and on Sept. 10 defeated
| the rebel army under Early, who retreated t
! Fishers Hill, a strong position, where or
! Sept. % he was attacked again by Sheri
| dan, routed and sent Whirling up tht
! valley, supposed to be completely done
| for. This was a mistake, for Lee sent Long
street TO the aid of Early, and with this vet
erau corps, during the temporary absence o
| Sheridan at Washington, whore he had gOnf
/ Immediately after his victory at Fishers Hill
| leaving Gen. Wright, of ths Sixth Corps, il
| command of his army, they attacked the UnioI
| forces and drove them pell-mell and had ap
parently gained glorious victory over GU
! troops when Sheridan came riding down frou
| Winchester, 20 miles distant from the field
and there and then achieved what will MAKE
! him the most celebrated soldier of modern
! times that by his simple presence he changed
a disgraceful rout into one of the most glOFiou
victories ever gained by any body of troops
! There were no reinfOrcements. Only SheIi
| dan
From this time forward his success was Pie
| nomenal. Grant took him in hand, and the,
together formed plans for the reduction o
Richmond At Five Forks, where the las
great battle Of tho war was fought, Sheridan
| cavalry did the hardest part of the work. 81
| MAS supported By Warren5 Fifth Corps, but il
his impetuous way did not think Warren CAV
him the necessary support, removed him froE
| command of the corps, and preferred charge