The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1888-08-15
GEN. PHILIP RI. SHERlDANI

I.iies battle is won
CHARLES II. A EsLING
GEN. PHILIP RI. SHERlDANl
A Brilliant and Dashing Career.
The birthplace of the great commander,
Lieutenant-G General Philip Henry Sheri-
dan, has been matter of dispute. Mas
sachusetts, where his parents lived for Il
time before his birth; Albany, y. 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 Reds -0hio in the
War" from which this sketch is drawn,
that he was born March 6, 81, at the viii
lage Of Somerset, Terryy, Co. o.. dozen
miles from the birthplace of his great
comrade, Gen. VIM I. Sherman. His
family were of pure Irish blood, and not
descendants of Cromweli's Scotch colo
nists and they were devoted adherents
to the Roman Catholic church The boy
grew up with the keen and ready wit
and pugnacious spirit of 4 typical young
Celt Ii is told that at the age of five
years he learned to ride a half-broken
colt, without saddle or bride. At the
village school his ready learning was the
pride, as his mischieyous tricks were the
burden, of the teachers life. After getting
such instruction as the common school
afforded he became an assistant in the
village hardware store, and being active,
intelligent and faithful, won the favorand
enlisted in his behalf the interest of his
employer. That gentleman, Mr.. Talbot,
gave him private instruction in mathe-
MATES and history, and such other Eng
lish studies as had not been included in
the meagre curriculum of the schools.
After a time the lad left Mr. Talbot, and
entered the store of Henry Detton, at the
same village. There he continued his
studies, and made up his mind 10 rise to
a more elevated and extended stage of
usefulness than that of village store
keeper.
Presently his chance came. There was
a vacancy at West Point, TO be filed from
that district. Gen. Thos. Ritchey was the
representative in Congress, and he re-
ceived many influential applications from
his constituents whose sons were ambi-
tions of military fame. AT last" said
Gen. Ritchey, there came letter ac-
companied by no testimonials, no infiu-
ential recommendations or appeals from
wealthy parents. 1t simply asked that
the place might be given TO the writer,
and was signed, Phil Sheridan The
boy needed no recommendation, for !
knew him and his father before him, and
appointed him at once Young Sheri-
dan was seventeen years old when in As
he entered the West Point Military Acad-
envy, and he had for his classmates many
who became known TO the world for their
achievements in the war of the rebellion,
among them being Generals Mcpherson,
Schofield, Terrill. Sill and Tyler, and the
rebel general Hood.
At West Point he was not a notably
brilliant scholar. Bot he ranked above
the average, and would have stood much
higher on the roll had it not been for his
overilowing animal spirits. His love Of
fun and dislike of conventionalities con-
stantly led him into petty breaches Of
discipline, which the faculty were sorry
to record against him, for he was uni
yersal fayorite with them. But one day
his ofiense was more than petty. Il con-
sisted in the administration of a royal
good thrashing to another cadet who had
insulted him. This could not be over
looked nor pardoned, and the penalty
was an extra year at West Point So he
was put back year, and while HePher
son, ,Schofield and the rest of his old class
mates We're graduated in 1852, he did
not get his diploma until 1858.
FIGHTING INDIANS.
At the age of %, then, Phil Sheridan
babe adieu to West Point and was as
signed to serve his country IN the lst In
fantry Regiment as breyet second lieu
tenant. Tie went to Texas in that capac-
ity to fight the Apaches. A single-hand-
ed encounter with savage chief, whom
he killed, and the consequent destruction
of hostile band, was his first serious en-
gagement But because some part of his
conduct was technically irregular-he
only offended the martinez who was his
commanding officer-he got no credit for
his valor. For two years he did good
service, but failed to gain the good viii of
his commander. But in 1855 he was trans
ferred to the 4th Infantry and promoted
TO full second lieutenancy This regi-
ment was serving in Oregon, and Sheri-
dan commanded the company that es-
corted Lieutenant Williamson's explor-
ing expedition through that country sur
ktN u Va tlit AllhI
road. IN 1856 ne received mention for
his gallantry in battle with the Voki-
mas near Fort Vancouver. The next
year he had command in the Yokima
Reservation, and acquitted himself so
well as to receive special mention by
Lieutenant General Scott. Next he had
charge OF military post at Yamhill. and
made an advantageous treaty with the Co
1 quiIlos. So he spent the years up until
trouble began to brew in 1861. In March
of that year he was made first lieuten-
ant.
rHE OUTBREAK OF THE REBELLIos.
Sheridan was still st Yanhill when he