Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1888-06-01
sherldan's Longest speech.

OreSton, Lowe, May A-ten. 9heri-
dams attendance at the reunion of the
veterans OF southwest Iowa and south
west Missouri in this city two years ago
made the occasion memorable. There
were at least ten thousand veterans pres
ent in addition to thousands OF other per-
sons from all parts of the country and as
Gen. Sheridan reviewed the magnificent
procession OF veterans and citizens from
the balcony of the Summit house, the
ovation he received warmed the grand
old soldiers heart, and he was frank and
outspoken in his appreciation. After
the parade the veterans returned to
Damp Sheridan for dinner, and in the
afternoon Gen Sheridan visited the
camp. Ae the general recognized many
of the old soldiers of his command. and
recalled many ineidents and memories
of the war, tbs enthusiasm increased
Finally the veterans began to call on
| the general to speak, He was disposed
to decline, and at last he took the plat
form and made speech which went de
rect to every old soldiers heart. 1t was
wholly impromptu and characteristic.
Fortunately O frst-oless stenographer
was present, and thus probably the long.
eat speech ever delivered by Phil Sheri-
dan was taken verbatim, and will no
doubt prove worthy of reproduction:
| COMRADES: | came here to-day to see
you and talk with you and shake hands
with you, while Ool. Carr and others.
you know, came here to make eloquent
addresses fer you to listen TO. / think
he has been too eulogistic of me in bis
remarks. 1t is true that fought in al
most everybody's army, f.om Pea Ridge
to Appumattax, and although l fought
with calvary and infantry and on every
line OF operation, and always had to
change and take new men on new
lines, / was very successful. ]
went through all the grades they had
in the volunteer service, ana then
commenced and went through all The
grades in the regular service, and the
date of every commission that now
have is the date of battle. Now wan
to say to you, comrades, this, that am
) indebted to the private in the ranks for
ell this credit that has come to ME
TApplause, long and continued. He wal
the man who did the fighting, and th'
man who carried the musket is tn,
greatest hero of the war, in my opinion
was nothing but an agent, ] knew
8 how to take care OF men. / knew wha
, q soldier was worth, and knew how tt
, study the country so as to put him II
right. l knew how to put him in bat
tie when one occurred, but l was simply
} the agent to take care OF him, and h
, did She work. Now, comrades, thes,
| are common sense things, and cam
say them in very howery language; bu
they are true, nevertheless, and they ar
true, not OF me alone, but Of every bod
. else. 1t is to the common soldier tina
|, we are indebted to any credit that cam
! to us. Now, | am glad to see you her
to-day, gentlemen, and am glad to b
!. with you on this occasion. There ar
many men here to-day who served in th
n field with me, and it is great pleasur
to me to find them out. and they hay
been very kindly in their remarks to m.
r While they were with me certainly di
i ell could for them. / often laid awak
i. planning for their welfare, and l neve
killed man unnecessarily. One greH
trouble with men who command troop
L Is that they kill men unnecessarily. 70
e may kill as many men as you choose
u you give them an equivalent FOR the los
Men do not like TO be killed for nothing
Q they do not like to have their heat
: rammed against stone wall unless II
some good results, Those are the poin
made daring the war. Whenever
's I took men into battle gave the
g. victory as the result OF the engagement
le and that was always satisfactory.