The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-05-28

the lot. They were all large men, whicl
made him look Slender, II not small
Then the term little is often applied to
fayorite Us u sort OF pet name.
When in the Army OF the Cumberlan'
he was one Of the boys in camp, yet b
never became familiar with the men
He was not dandy by any means, a
far as his clothes were concerned. In
deed, his superior officers and booI
companions often lectured him abou
looking so shabby. He would answe
that he felt better in his old clothes
In addition to feeling in this he alst
looked better in q common fatigue uni
form than in dress parade suit.
When he went into fight he went il
to win. 1t was for that reason that h'
never made any provision for a retreat
AT Stone River his men stood like
statues, and held positions that were
seemingly forlorn hopes. The thought
of retreating, or the fear OF being
whipped, never entered their minds
This was all because their commander
was devoid OF fear. He did not seem tc
know what it was.
AT MISSION RIDGE.
At the battle OF Mission Ridge his
command held very important posi-
ton in the line, and Gen. Thomas, who
bad always allowed him great discretion
ary powers, watched his division very
closely as it pushed its way across
Cherry Knob. When it was seen to go
on and begin the ascent OF the ridge,
Thomas became uneasy. Gen. Grant
was surprised Mt this move, as his orders
were to stop Mt "the first line OF rebel
works" Turning to Gen. Thomas he
said: "Whose work is thisw Thomas
answered, without lowering his field
glass, 81 don't understand it." In that
Guiet. but most significant manner,
Grant replied: "Well, il it doesn't turn
out all right, stars will fall tomorrow" :"
meaning, OF course, the stars that
adorned the Generals shonlder.straps.
Without uttering u word Thomas mo-
toned for his horse, mounted and rode
out to General Granger's headquarters
and asked him why the order had been
disobeyed. Granger sent n stall officer
to Sheridan with instructions TO order
him to halt, us the orders were to stop
Mt the first line OF works.
81 know, I.know," replied Sheridan,
''but will you be kind enough to give
General Granger my compliments, and
ask him which was meant, the first line
at the top of the ridge or the first line at
the bottom"
Before the courier got back to Gen.
eral Granger the first line on the top OF
the hill had been reached, and General
Sheridan's men were the first to get
there.
ALWAYS TO TIE FRONT,
He was often seen with hat in hand
when fight was on, especially ii he was
on horseback. This was not done for
the purpose of giving the breeze n chance
to fan his fevered brow, nor to wave his
men on to victory, but because his hat
would not stick on his head. His bumps
of Combativcness were so largely devel-
oped that his head tapered from his ears
to his crown, which gave hat no chance
at all for holding its position.
While Gen. Sheridan was u strict dis
ciplinarian, he was far from being n mar
tinet. In fact he despised Sunday sol.
diering." To him war was a dread
reality, and dreadful thing,and he held
it to be the duty of every soldier to help
put an end to it as soon as possible. As
Tor himself, he never seemed ambitious
for rank, but to win decisive victories.
When promotion came he felt grateful
for whatever OF honor there was in it,
but the increased responsibilities affect.
ed him more. lie never was charged
with being jealous OF any OF his fellow
officers. On the contrary he was always
willing to step aside to allow Others to
step in.
His career rs a cavalry commander in
the Department OF the Potomac is so
familiar that it is unnecessary to recount
his many brilliant maneuvers which did
so much to weaken Lees army and to
aid Grant in getting into, and holding
strong positions. His career since the
close Of the war has been as soldicrly as
was possible in time OF profound peace.
His promotion to the positions OF Lieu
tenant General and General of the Army
came without solicitation, and never
provoked the slightest jealousy on the
part OF the other officers.