Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-08-07
(fenernI Sheridan.

General PmL1P HgSKY SHERIDAN,
who died at Nonquitt. Mass, Sunday
night, was prominent on tho Federal side
\ in the conduct OF the war between the
States. and will pass into history as a
soldier upon whom tho nation bestowed
most exalted military honors he started
life in comparative obscurity and at his
death was general in command Of the
United States army, position which
was revived or created for him when be
was on tho brink Of the grave. Else
where we give the main facts
OF his life. His career was active
AID illustrates push, energy, and embi-
ton, but whether the calm, disposition
ate criticism of the future will result in
assigning SHERIDAN a high place as mill
tary genius is indeed doubtful. While
SHERIDAN accomplished much rs n cayal-
ry leader yet few can analyze his career
without recognizing that circumstances
conspired largely in his favor. he
was an able executive officer, prompt
to oboy his superiors, rough
rider, sturdy fighter, and man OF
robust personal courage. He was also
gifted as a disciplinarian. and to that fact
was due in no small degree the success
be achieved, seeing that within q com
paratively short while he succeeded in
making good troopers OF men who, when
they first enlisted, had to he strapped
upon their saddles. Thus no was pre-
pared for the time when tho South be-
came depleted of horses from which
time il may be said he began to ride into
fame byadopting the tactics taughthimby
the southern cavalry leaders. 1t does
not detract from General SHEBDAS's
reputation that he "learned from the
enemy. history unquestionablyproyes
he did. EIdS est Ct III hOstc doccri IS
IN old and wise saying. But it is pity
that he should have supplemented the
sword with fire and general devastation,
and the truth remains that this question
has forced itself upon northern rs well
ms southern minds, What would SHEBI-
DAMS fate hive been could the South
have maintained cavalry equipment ap-
proximating that Of the Federal army?
His two leading movements were " bis
ride" aud the breaking Of the thin gray
line at Five Forks after il had been
worn ont by starvation and fatigue.
The South had 10 reason tOioye General
SHERIDAN. Not because he contributed
TO the downfall Of the Confederaoy for
she has shown sincere respect and adj
iniration for others who did more than
SHERIDAN to bring about that end,
but because she cannot forget the
horrors of bis Valley campaign and his
administration Of the Affairs Of the Fifth
military district. He was Republican
of the most pronounced type, his intense
hatred of the Democracy and Of the
South being, as one Of his Republican
eulogists says, displayed even IN an
ordinations way on public occasions.
He was enabled to reach the goal of his
ambition as well by Democratic as by
Republican votes, and the South does
not begrudge him that final victory.
Viewing him as soldier Of the nation
we cannot see how the nation could
have done less than honor him as
it did. We recognized his courage,
his devotion to the cause he espoused,
and his services to the Federal side. and
would fain hope that time will vindicate
his northern apologists who declare that
his superiors were responsible for the
acts that contributed 50 much towards
preventing his attaining to the plane Of
the hero.