Great Falls tribune., 1889-06-01
to treat them kindly wher they behaved
themselves.
EXPLOITS IN MONTANA.


1t is not 50 many years ago since tn
road from Fort Benton to Helena was al
unsafe one. Indian murders on the Mar
las, on the Teton, on Sun river on th
Dearborn, on the Prickly Pear kept u
In state Of uneasiness. He was a bolt
man who would roam around here by thu
Great Falls. One of Sheridan's favoritt
officers, at Sheridan's suggestion, organ
lied winter instead Of summer cam
palgn. He marched through deep snow,
with the cold ~ degrees below zero, anc
| took most desperate chances of freezing
to death. He thought the Indians would
be in state of torpor at such time, and ]
presume that his men wished he was also
He struck their camp. He surprised and
killed them in their own way. 1t was
terrible but it was the only way except tc
be surprised and killed by them. The
eastern press opened a storm IF invective
on Baker; but Sheridan loyalty shielded
his subordinate and though he was not
responsible for what happened nobly
took the responsibility. The country had
peace and the Indians as we'll as the
whites were gamers by the stopping Of
all further killings and reprisals. Baker
and many Of his comrades are dead; but
surely many Of the old timers Of these
parts will gratefully think Of their great
service on this Memorial day. Applause
ENTERS THE FIELD.
During all the summer of 1861, while
the war was raging in the states, Sheridan
waited at the quiet post on the Columbia
for summons to the field OF glory. 1t
came at last. He was made quartermas-
ter for Gen. Curtis and did much to assist
that officer in his advance through Mis-
souri, and to secure the victory at Pea
Ridge. The contractors did not like
Sheridan. He was honest as he was
brave. The same integrity and economy
which he afterwards displayed where
hundreds Of million of contracts passed
under his approval without one cent of
benefit to him, made him odious to the
jackals who followed the supply train
By chance he got into his rghtful sphere
of action. The second Michigan cavalry
needed a trained and professional solder
for colonel. Capt. Russell A. Alger re-
commended Sheridan to Gov. Blair and
he obtained the commission. This at a
time when the politicians were making
political brigadiers by the score, 50 that
you could not throw a stone any place
around Washington without hitting an
ornamental but useless general. The
story Of his ability was soon told. In the
summer Of 1851 he was lieutenant. In
another year he was a general Of divis-
ion, and two years later all the world
knew the name Of Sheridan. He was
always successful. Under Buell. and
Rcsecrans he was as efficient and master
full as he was afterwards under Grant.
No matter what happened to other parts
Of the army, the story Of Sheridan's divis-
ion was the story Of a division capably
handled and fought to the finish. Stone
river, Murfreesboroug and Chickamagua
directed on Sheridan the attention of the
army while the press Of the country was
ringing with other names. @
CARRYING THE HEIGHTS.
At the battle of Mission Ridge his di-
vision was ordered to take som advanced
positions and to stop. This done his
quick eye took in what should be DONE
Without orders the division rushed like n
storm up the precipitous hill, carried the
crest, pushed the pursuit away beyond
into the valley and astonished and graft
fed Gen. Grant with victory unplanned
and unprecedented at q point when it
was unhoped for. Grant had his eye on
Sheridan before. This made him his de-
voted admirer. When Grant was called
10 the scene of the great struggle in the
EAST he wanted Sheridan -Sheridan's
energy, quickness and conquering vigor
He was called to the command of the
cavalry corps. The uses Of different arms
,hange with the times. The old uses of
cavalry seemed to be obsolete. 1t no
onger charged in heavy masses and de-
,ided battle by its weight and shock. 1t
vas used as feelers. To guard the flank
ind rear, to act as the antenn@ of armies.
u was sometimes out of the way when
in the way when not wanted, and
'eceived more criticism than commenda-
ion. Like all original minds, Sheridan
Jaw that the time had come for new use
:or cavalry. That it should be an army
II itself and fought as an army. Meade
vas disposed to use it as the books direct
I'd and Grant thought such use a proper
me. In such a service the enemy's cav
Try, operating in their own country, had
great advantage. 1t gained reputation
ency. One day Meade complained to
Sheridan in peppery temper. The fiery
title warrior retorted in the same spirit. |
me. Said that if he had control of the
,avalry he could defeat Stuart and harass
he army Of Vir. inia. Said that unless
le could do so no other order should ever
ass through him, and he walked in high |
ludgeon out OF Meade's tent. Meade
vent and reported to Grant. Grant said
If Sheridan says he can whip Stuart let
lin 60 out and do it, Sheridan did |
The great southern cavalier was killed |
md his forces defeated at Yellow Tavern,
which was followed. up by another vic
ory shortly after. These were cavalry
battles and after them Sheridan ranged |
lp the James and down down the Chick
lhominy and only solid lines of infantry, !
" rows Of intrenchments checked the |
,areer OF his troopers. With the origin
llity of a genius he had found a use for
,avalry in modern Warefare not laid
lown In the books. With what vigor and
efficiency he used his system later on at
five Forks, and Falmville, and Sailors
,reek, and Appomattox, where his troop
,rs were continually thrown upon the
oath of Lee, while the lower arms closed |
lp behind till all was crushed as in a
coil has been the theme of
very tongue.
BRAVE AND GENEROUS.
His campaigns in the Shenandoah val
ey gave him ali opportunity to show that
le was more than cavalry leader OF
,orps commander. The resources, the
the skill with which he fought
he battles of Winchester and vicinity and
'ent EARLY "whirling up the valley"
howed that great general had now ap-
,eared upon the scene of Stonewall Jack
,nn,s fama This had hean the valley of /