The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-03-03
Sheridan On Alger Again.

The more we examine the campaign
biographies Of Gen. RUSSELL A. ALaER. the
more firmly convinced we become that
ALaEn is either one Of the most important
figures In tho military history of the United
States or an uncommon wind bag.
! He now appears as the discoverer. and to
all practical purposes tho creator OF PHILIP
H. SHERIDAN. ALGER's keen discernment
picked out SHERIDAN from among the
throng OF regimental subordinates, and
sent that rare fighter and unparalleled
genius flying onward and upward toward
fame and the four stars. The first of the
four stars. at least. was fastened on SHEII-
DAMS shoulders by ALGER's personal ef-
forts: the world knows the rest. Even.
therefore. II Col. ALGER's hasty resigna-
ton Mt Washington on Sept. %. 1864. pre-
vented him from finishing the business of
the suppression Of tho rebellion, he left be-
hind him in tho Shenandoah Vallcya sub
stitute and an equivalent of his own selec-
ton in the person Of PHILIP H. SHERIDAN:
and are not the results Of SHERIDAS's great
campaign written large In history?
Such Is the theory of the nations debt of
gratitude to Gen. AIGER which we gather
from recent publications. in the political
interests Of that gentleman. Here is tho
latest version of the boom biographies:
His nrst exploit IA hold rla from Corinth to
ritsburg Landing as bearer OF request from the reg
ment for new leader and the suggestion that the
mani bc given to Capt PHILir H. smrK:p,S. lie re
turned with the order that his first command TO
tina: gallant soldier Then follows tho battle of Boone
willie. battle in which ALGEr. with only nnetytwo
men, was ordered 10 get In the OF the enemy and
charge him. which he did and was told by SHERIDAN
that he never expected TO nee him again sERDAs has
himself wrtt,n the story OF that battle md says he
reckons 1t ono OF the finest exploits o: the war The
charge gave SHERIDAN the victory in the Arst fight he
ever was in IN hSown commander. 1t also gave him
his star rs n Brigcdier.
THE real importance Of Alters importunities.
which made unknown Capt FnIL ssErIpAS Colonel OF
the Second Michigan Cavalry was fully npprecatedb by
the horseback hero and 10 often spoke OF IL after Tho
giving him the opportunity he needed
=" Governor BLAIR who gave SHERIDAN this comins.
sion to succeed Col GORroS GRAEGEn Of the Second
Michigan. npon tho iatter's beng made Brigadicr.
0irin1 regular IKE susEiDAS tx pet. Hut
AiGf MS ride after Shiloh enabled him to prevail upon
the Governor and give gallant PM the chance OF his
life AsH L.lcd his horse In his haste get oack to
tell sn"alpAs the good news OF his promotion"
It Is curious that in his Personal Memoirs
Gen. SHERIDAN omits all reference to his
immense obligations to RUSSELL A. ALGER.
He mentions tho circumstance that Capt.
ALGER and Lieut.. WALBRIDGE delivered to
him at Gen HALIEcK's headquarters
telegram announcing his appointment as
Colonel. but Is silent concerning any part
which ALGER may have had In procuring
that appointment. Contrast Gen. SHERI-
DAMS own narrative Of events in 1862 with
the glowing and picturesque statement
prepared In the interest of Gen. ALGER as a
candidate for tho Republican nomination
for President In 1892:
Prom the Persorai Memoir. Of Philip n. Sherfias.
80 know Gen. SBsRAAs very well. We cAmo from
the section Of country In Ohio and his wife
and her faulty had known me from childhood. was
awayS kindly received by the General and one day he
asked me would DO Wiling 10 accept the cO!0nelcy
@. certain oflo regiment II hs secured the appoint
meat. g!gaJ :O.d niui Jes I: Gen. I,LLsck would