The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-09-20

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now u Colonel OF Cavalry and have all
the rank | wish" His supposed zenith
was but his horizon. Thus We see how
little men know even themselves The
fondest ambition gratifed, gratiGes not
at all. The things We think will fully
satisfy lis once gained, are found to lack
the pleasure We anticipated. We are
constantly looking beyond, eager for the
moment that never comes, and too apt
to forget the blessings OF to-day. Per-
haps il is well 1t 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 appoint
inent he appeared in camp and assumed
command Of his regiment. He wore his
captains uniform coat with its one row
OF buttons and pair OF infantry col
onel's shoulder straps, the latter prob
ably all he could procure after his ap-
pOintment.
ng WAS \ REsOLuTE MAN
and his command soon learned the fact
that unless in camp two parties were in
constant dangcr-the enemy and them
selves. 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. Speaking of this fact not
year since, when told he was always
ugly in battle. he replied "1guess that
was so it was the way always felt"
have given you this early sketch OF
the general that you may see how he
appeared when he started on his famous
career. Thanks to the genius OF our in
sttutions, we have no hereditary titles,
and high birth adds in the race OF life
neither advantage or the converse.
Upon the acts Of the individual rest his
success or failure. True, surroundings
and opportunity aid in paving the way,
but no substantial success follows acci-
dent.
well remember the remarks oil a.
brusque old gentleman many years ago,
when it was said OF person that he was
lucky" Lucky" sud he, don't talk
to me about luck; give me the man." It
can easily be imagined how restive such
man us Sheridan would be tied to
staff duty during year and more of
commanded his work in an earnest and
most systematic manner as Colonel OF
his regiment. He ut once employed Il
scout or guard familiar with the country,
keeping him at his own expense, and no
road by path, stream, bridge, swamp or
hill existed, il within ten miles OF his
headquarters, but that it appeared on
his map, and, right there lay one OF the
strong elements that contributed to his
success. No matter how great the ex-
tent OF the country over which h0 had
to operate, he had the rare faculty OF
possessing
A FULL KNOWLEDGE OF 1T.
SO also concerning the position and
strength OF the enemy: He would locate
its corps, divisions, brigades and out
posts, giving very nearly the strength Of
each rs well as the strength OF the posi-
tions they occupied in battle. When he
struck the enemy, he followed every ad- |
vantage with such impetuosity as to
Leave him no time TO recover from the
effects of one blow before receiving an.
other. Nor was lie ever permitted to !
Cice about before being driven from the
field. Heseemcd always to know where
to send hig troops to accomplish the
most. He aimed to break through and
divide the enemy, but never divided his
own command beyond supporting dis.
tance. such was the combination OF
knowledge OF tie topography OF coun-
try, position and strength Of the enemy
quick perception and deCisioni-heayy |
and rapid blows, which gave him the
success that crowned him among the
foremost generals OF modern history.
SHERIDAN MEYER LOST A BATTLE.
He seldom made an attack that was not
successful and like n mighty rock stand
ing in sea whose waves strike it only to
be divided and shattered, SO no enemy's
hosts was ever hurled upon his command
but to be broken. Those who saw
handful OF men defeat ten times their
number ut Bonneville; those who stood
in the Cedar brakes ut Stone River and
witnessed the repulSe Of the grandest
army ever sent by the rebels TO the
West; those who were with him In the
seven miles Of fire at Mission Ridgei
those who were with him in that hell Of
fire ut the Wilderness, or served under
him in the great cavalry fights OF Yellow |
Tavern; those who passed with him
through the terrible battle Of Winches- |
ter: those who helped demolish Early's |
victorious army at Cedar Greek, for |
which Sheridan and his army we're
thanked by Congress, and those who
followed him at Five Forks, where he
"hunoI our final strength across the
path Of I.ee,R al joined in the acclaim
as each victory in turn increased his be-
wiIdeFing fame, crowning him with the !
piaudits OF the world.
One OF the stray characteristics of Gen
eral Sheridan was his intense devotion
10 the cause OF the North. Soldering, |
with him, was not mere 0cCupation--l
road to crafty personal ambition, but he
hslieyed Intensely that rehelliaR was u |
crime aud that it ought to be punished.
II was this intense earnestpess that made
his success. His appearance upon the
field at any time during u battle always
created the widest enthusiasm. We
hear much extraordinary praise OF Cen
eral Sheridan rs Il cavalry commander,
ana while lie was that, be was more, as
General Sherman said in Toledo few
days since, "Sheridan was all his rank |
implied. He was general us capable Of
commanding an army us any brought
out by the war" In John Russel
Young's "Around the World with Gen.
eral Grant" the General In conversation |
with Prince Bismarck is reported to
have said: ~ regard Sheridan us not
only one Of the great soldiers Of our war,
but one OF the greatest soldiers OF the
world, as man who is fitted for the
highest command. No better General
| than Sheridan ever lived" This is au.
thority, because General Grant revised
the work before publication. Why,
then, should cnduige in panegyric
over General Sheridan when We have
this testimony from the highest authority
the world can produce.
THE ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND.
After enlogizinp Sheridan further,