The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-08-05
IN MEMORY OF SHERIDAN.

Today is the anniversary of the death of
General Philip II. Sheridan, who died
August s, 1885, Grant admired Sherman,
but the only man he ever grew en-
thusiastic about was Sheridan, whom, in
his great report of the operations Of the
armies of the Union, he calls 1.-THE greatest
of living soldiers" This judgment will
stand the test of time in the sense in which
Grant meant it was to be taken. Sheridan
had never been placed in the position of a
Moltke; his test was that applied to
great field marshal rather than to q great
closet strategist, and that test Sheridan
bore admirably. Give General Sheridan
$1,000 men with directions to seek the
enemy and whip him and there was not q
man in either army that was his equal.
His military rise was more rapid and
wonderful when he once was given an
opportunity than even that of Grant. He
is ten years too young in 1851 to have
seen service in Mexico, and has seen only
petty Indian fight in Oregon. He does
not reach the seat Of war from Oregon
until six months after Sumter; he 10 given
quartermaster's work to do by Halleck
until May 25.. 1852, when by the merest
chance somebody persuaded the governor
Of Michigan to offer the colonelcy of q
cavalry regiment to Sheridan. Within
thirty days, in his first fight, he wins
brigadier generalship; in October. 1862,
he is division commander at Perryvi.le,
where he saves McCook's corps from
destruction at the critical moment by
the effective service of his artillery and
the disposition of his infantry. At Stone
River he makes head three times against
disaster, forms and reforms his broken
troops. holds on like bulldog to the lit
tie grove of cedars, knowing that on his
ability to hold out two hours hangs the
fate of Rosecrans' whole army. and when
the fight is over the man who was colonel
in June is a major general in January. At
Chickamauga he joins Thomas at night
fall with all of his division that was left
out Of the general wreck of McCook's
and Crittenden's corps; he car.
ries off first honors at Chatta-
nooga. Sherman, who was expected to
turn Braggs' right. failed, although he lost
but 1,26S men out of his three divisions,
while Sheridan and Wood lost q 1897, or
90 per cent. of the whole force; Sheridan
alone in his single division losing as much
as Sherman's whole loss in three divisions.
Sherman won no great laurels in that bat
tie, while Sheridan's charge won the day,
and he alone made vigorous pursuit of the
enemy, while Granger and Sherman went
to bed at dark. Summoned by Grant to
the East, Sheridan beats the best trooper
in Lees army, Stuart, in the Wilderness
campaign. At Winchester, September 10.
1854, when the Nineteenth corps is broken
and a division of the Sixth corps disor-
| dered, it is Sheridan that restores the line
| and finally wins the victory.
A thoroughly scientific soldier in both
strategy and tactics exceedingly patient,
cautious and cunning in preparation and
maneuvering for the weather gage of
battle, Sheridan marched to and fro for
thirty days watching Early before he
struck this deadly blow at Winchester.
! His victory at Fishers Hill, two days
later, was another bit of most brilliant
scientific work. Arriving at Cedar Creek
| in the hour of disaster, Sheridan's first
work was to change the position of the
cavalry from the left to the right flank in
| reforming his lines for attack. His two
| days fighting at Five Forks is conceded by
| all military men TO be q model of scientific
| warfare, both in retreat. defense and as
sault. The text books at West Point to-
| day contain more illustrations of scientific
warfare taken from Sheridan's battles
than from those of any other commander
| on either side during the civil war.
| In war Sheridan was fox in cunning. a
bulldog in tenacity and fierceness, a tiger
| IN the energy of his spring and a grey
hound in pursuit. 1t was because of all
these qualities. and not simply because of
| his dash, that Grant rated him tho great
| est living soldier at the close of the war.