Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1888-09-27
GRAYLING MICHIGAN. THURSDAY, sEPTEMBER 27l 1855.

the beginning OF the end. that the triumphs
which followed were the result Of the dis
cipline ofthe training camps. After relat-
ing the subsequent victories or the Army OF
the Cumberland. the speaker closed with
the words: Such scenes may never return.
but the cause for which we struggled is i'm
mortal. The past is secure. the future wakes
no fears"
Gen. Alger. after the applause incident to
his introduction had subsidized. entered upon
his eulogy OF Gen. Sheridan. After reciting
the chief Incidents OF the Generals career.
he said:
Let me sketch Sheridan to you as he ap-
poared standing in front Of his tent on the
eventful May morning whom the letter ap-
pointing him Colonel OF the Second Michi-
gan Cavalry. sent by Michigan's famous
war Governor. Austin Blair was handed to
him. In stature about feet inches, weight
1856 pounds. with a large head. piercing eye.
broad shoulders. and tapering 10 his feet
much like AN iron wedge. and. as his COM
mand afterward learned, about as firm. AS
was always his custom, his uniform coat
was buttoned to his chin, and he
was. When lie received his ap-
poimtment his surprise and delight
seemed about equal. Soon he was sur
rounded by his brother stan officers. who
when one Of them proposed his heklth with
would be only a step to Brigadier's star.
Sheridan replied instantly: No. thank you;
/ am now IA Colonel OF cavalry and have all
the rank l wish. His supposed zenith was
but his horizon. Thus we see how little
men know oven OF themselves. The fond
est ambition gratlfled gratiiles not at all.
The things we think will fully satisfy us,
once gained, are found to lack the
pleasure we anticipated. We are constantly
looking beyond. eager for the morrow that
never comes. and too apt to forget the
blessings of to-day. Perhaps it is we'll II is
thus. else man would be content with this
life. giving little thought TO the life beyond.
AS before stated. the evening OF the day
Col. Sheridan received his appointment he
appeared i'm camp ana assumed command OF
his regiment. He wore his captains uniform
coat. with its row OF buttons and pair OF
infantry colonel's shouldcr-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 in constant
danger-the enemy and themselves. He
was always genial and easily approached
except in battle, when his whole nature
seemed to change, and woe to the man who
crossed him while the fight was on. Speak
ing OF this fact not u year since. when told
he was always ugly in battle. he replied: L
guess that was so; II was the way l always
felt.
Il have given you this early sketch of the
General tnat you may see how he apr cared
when he started on his famous career.
Thanks to the genius OF our institutions We
have no hereditary titles. and high birth
adds In the race OF life neitl er adva' lge
nor the converse. Upon the acts OF the in
dividual rest his success or failure. Tiue,
surroundings and opportunity aid in paving
the way, but no substantial success follows
accidents"
OF the secret of Gen. Sheridan's success
the speaker said:
"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. a road to crafty
personal ambition, but he believed intensely
that rebellion was crime and that IL ought
to be punished. He had no patience what
ever with the people OF the North who either
sympathized with the rebellion or spoke
discouragingly about putting IL down. or dis
paragingly OF the force that was erushingit