The Springdale news., 1888-08-10

boys Phil sat right down and wrote General Rtehie straightforward appli- cation, without any body's indorsement or even advice. Rtehie knew who the Sheridans wcre-the Irish were becoming quite numerous among his eonstttuents-and he thought t would be happy idca to let Il go abroad that he had appointed one of the race to the best military school in the world The appointment was quickly made and widely an uounced.
 The young cadets education being limited, he at once went to work to prepare himself for the examination. An old man still living at Somerset named Clark who was considered fine mathematician in his time. assisted him. In three months time he was ready for his ex animation and left Somerset for West Point, where he was admitted, in iS4s at the age of seventeen
 While at the military academy he was put back year for whipping a higher class man. Thus 1t took him five years to graduate, but still he was only twenty.two when ho received his comm ls sion in the army. His first service was in Texas, and he never liked the State He was in Oregon at the breaking ont Of the war, a First Lieutenant, and he came East with a set purpose to reach the grade Of Captain be fore the end of the war How well he succeed ed in his purpose the world knows.
 He was made Captain in the Thirteenth in fantry, and Chief Quartermaster and Commis- sary of the Army of Southwest Missouri in 1s6l and the year following vas made Quarter master of General Ualieck's army in the Mississippi campaign. On May 25, 1892 he was made Colonel of the Second Michigan voun- teer cavalry, and took part in the pursuit Of the Confederates from Cernth, from May 10 to June 10, and in the engagement at Boonvlle, Miss, July l. when he was made Brigadier- General of volunteers. In command Of the Eleventh Division of the Ohio he led the ad- vance into Kentucky and took a conspicuous part in the battle of Perryville, October s, and Tn the subsequent march 10 the relief of Nash vile In the latter part Of 1869 he assigned to the Army Of the Cumberland, and then his brill. iant career began in earnest. He was in the Ten nessee campaign from November, 1862, to Sep tember, 1883. and so distinguished himself at the battle of Murfrees boro, that he was pro- noted to the grade Of Maior-General Of volun- teers. From that time until the end of the war his career was part of the history of the coun- try. He captured train and prisoners at Eagleytile in March, crossed the Cumberlan mountains and Tennessee river in August, took a splendid part in the battle of Chickamauga September 19 and % and in the operations about Chattanooga including the light at Missionary Ridge November B 25, and after that engaged in East Tennessee until March, ls64 From April 4 to August he was in command Of the cavalry corps of the Army Of the Potomac and with his famous 10000 men was actively employed in operations in the Wilderness, and between 1t and Richmond in May, June and July.
 In May Sheridan was sent by Grant to cut Lees communications with Richmond. He took large cavalry force and destroyed DOT ton of the Virginia Central railroad, consider able rolling stock 1, ,J00,oo0 ratons and set free 100 Union prisoners who were being taken to Libby. In one Of his engagements in this raid the dash ing and brilliant Confederate cavalryman, J F. B Stuart, was mortally wounded An assault was made on the outer works around Richmond, and successfully for time, but atierward the Union force was driven back and forced to turn away, The 2jth of May saw Sheridan back with the army of the Potomac. On August he was appointed to the command Of the Army Of the Shenandoah, and on the 1th to that Of the Middle Military Division. He defeated Early on the Opequan September l9, for which he was made Brigadier General in the United States Army, and at Cedar Creek October 10, he turned rout into brilliant victory, for which he received the thanks or Congress.
 To avoid any further trouble in the Shenan- doah valley, and drive Early back, an army of 30,0ol organized near Washington and placed under Sheridan's command. He made his first move by marching to Bcrryville. Early was between Berryville and w Wnehester Sheridan advanced on September f9 and de feated Early sending him "whirling through Winchester" 10 the intrenchments at Fisher Hill Again, on the 22d, he drove Early back in wild disorder, capturing his train of sevcnty-fye wagons at Port Republic. At Cedar Creek Early concentrated his army, but was again routed and chased twenty-six miles. Sheridan now thought it safe to visit Washington on some very urgent business, and left his army posted on Cedar Creek, with General Wright in tenn p<-ary command. But Early rallied his men and on the night Of October is slipped stealthi- ly back toward the Federal lines. At dawn on tho morning of the 18th, the order for an at tack was given and the Confederates rushed forward and drove the surprised Federals in great disorder for Ave miles, capturing their camp and a number Of prisoners. Sheridan