Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-08-17

Finally the poet ordered a pot of strong
tea and retired to his room. At noon the
poem was concluded-the first draft-and
that night Mr.. Murdoch read it. of which he
gives this account:
9Th building was crowded in every part.
Upon the stage were sitting two hundred
MANNED soldiers, each with an arm or leg of.
Gen. Joe Hooker was to present me with the
flag the ladies had made, and at the time ap-
pointed we marched down the stage toward
the footlights, Gen. Hooker bearing the flag
and | with my arm in his.
"Hooker presented the flag very gracefully,
which / accepted In fitting words. l then
drew the poem Read had written from my
pocket, and, with proper introduction, began
reading it to the audience. TIL vast assem-
blage became as still as a church during
prayer time, and I read the first three verse;
without a pause, and then read the fourth.
"As this verse was finished the audience
broke into a tumult of applause. Then l read
with all the spirit 1 could command.
1.-THE sound of my voice uttering the last
word had not died away when cheer after
cheer went up from the great concourse, that
shook the building to its very foundation.
They then demanded the authors name, and
l pointed to Read, who was sitting in a box,
and he acknowledged the verses"
Moving from Winchester on the 27th of
February, 1865, Sheridan took Staunton, and
defeated Early near Waynesborough. After
damaging several railroads and the James
River canal, he reached the White House
about the 10Th of March, and on the 27th
joined the main army of Gen. Grant near
Petersburg. Taking 5000 cavalry, he COM
menced a movement for the destruction of
the Danvillo and South Side railroads, which
were the only remaining avenues of supply
for those armies. Supported by a corps of
infantry, he met a superior force Of the
enemy on the 3lst of March, near Five Forks,
and was driven back to Dinwiddie Court
House..
On the mex day the 1st of April Sheridan,
having been REINFORCED, drove the enemy
back on Five Forks assaulting and capturing
the Confederate fortified position, and took
over five thousand prisoners. Lee retreating
from Richmond, Sheridan attacked him near
Sailors creek on April 6, and captured some
six thousand prisoners.
In the spring of 1866 Sheridan was APP
pointed to the command of the Fifth Military
district, comprising the states of Louisiana
and Texas. 1t has been supposed that his APP
pointment to that command was to threaten
the French, who were then in Mexico. He
ItlilONti tIc bONtl WI VI Tic WV ottltS
comprising his department, on account of
their opposition to reconstruction. President
Andrew johnson removed him from his
command in 1867. Sheridan was then or
dered to take charge of the department OF
the Missouri, with headquarters at Chicago.
While located there, Gen. Sheridan mar
ried the daughter of Gen. Rucker, a lady of
remarkable beauty, 10 years of age. They
nave four children. who are the delight of
all visitors for their beauty and winsome
ways. Little Phil, Jr., is a sturdy boy. His
sister, next in age, and two infant twins,
girls, complete the family.
In 1869 he was raised TO the rank of lieu
tenant general, and in 1888 succeeded Gen.
Sherman, who was retired. to the com
mand of the army. Not the least inter
esting part of his after the war life was his
companionship with Emperor then King
William and Bismarck during their ever
memorable campaign of 1870. Since that
time Gen. Sheridan has devoted himself
earnestly and quietly TO the duties of his
place, enjoying on all public occasions the
hearty congratulations of a grateful people.