The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-10-22
A GREAT AMERICAN SOLDIER.

Last Thursday was the anniversary Of
the Union victory OF Cedar Creek, the
brightest rose in the chaple: OF Sheridan.
the greatest soldier of the war save Grant
II is true that he never commanded TO ex-
coed $1,000 men. but that was as many as
Bonapsrte had when he won his most
brilliant fame in the campaign of 1895.
From Perryville, where Sheridan first COM
manded division of infantry in a pitched
battle. to Cedar Greek includes about two
years of fighting. and in every instance il
is Sheridan who carries Off the honors of
the day, whether he commands infantry,
cavalry or all three arms ofthe service. He
Is the savior OF Bueil's center at Perry
vile. the savior of Eosecrans' army ut
Stone River, the spear head of Grants as
sault on Bragg's center at Missionary
Ridge, the foiler of Lees turning move
ment at the Wilderness. the victor of Win
chester aud Fishers Hill and the incar-
nate genius of battle at Cedar Creek.
At Cedar Creek Sheridan reinforced his
beaten army by one single man, Sheridan,
and 10 victory flew like a bird from the
side of the enemy and perched on his
shoulder. The spectacle of q single man
furiously riding to the front of beaten
army, and by his mere voice and presence
hating = long, rolling stream of fugi.lyes
and making them rush eagerly back into a
battle they had fled from, is the spectacle
of man who has the gift of leadership:
and the spectacle of that man reorcan-
ling those fugitives and venturine to
wrest victory from the enemy is the figure
Of man of such exceptional military eye
hand, moral courage and execution that
nothing will describe it save the word
genius.
According to the maxims of military
prudence as found in the books Sheridan
ought 10 have been content TO hold his
ground and stand of the enemy, but he
took counsel Of his robust brain and stout
heart and Cedar Greek is more wonderful
exploit than Marenso, for Desaix brought
up 5000 fresh men to change Napoleon's
defeat into victory, while the only rein
forcsments that Sheridan brought up were
the fugitives who had run away from
Wright, but eagerly ran back with Sher-
idsn.
AZ Winchester. month before Cedar
Greek. Sheridan sends in Upton's brigade
just at the critical moment. restores his
broken lines. strikes Early in the flank and
saves the day. At Cedar Greek when the
Nineteenth corps recoils. il is Sheridan
that personally heads MeMillan's brig
IL sLtffftstf~
entrant angle of Eary's line. smashes
IL aud wins the day; Il is Sher.
idAn. who. when falling back with
his cavalry before the Confederate in
fantry to p.nwiddie Courthouse suddenly
makes detour and strikes his pursuers
unexpectedly IN Hank and rear; IL il
sheridan that, at Five Forks, personally
rides TO the front ana restores Warreu's
recoiline line ard sends IL in sudden
wave Of fury over the encmy's eatreneh.
ments, IL is Sheridan who /. first in m.
hunt Of lee, and huats hlsn To death. In
fencing for an opening he was As cautious
and cunning as Fsbius: in battle he
thought with she acutenass and acted with
the energy and eoolnes. of Marlborough
bat in pushing charge 10 the death
he fairly raved shouted aad resticp.
lated so hetoely as TO make in
one instance = wounded man ride back
into ac;lon aad fall dead in the etg5r,-so
electric and contagious Was Sher!dsn's
enormous nervous energy Of body and
mind. lie eoald patiently fence with
Eagly Sor Eve weeks 20 get an opportunity
for home thrust but when be struck be
welded bis ,rAa's army ike the hat,ls AZ
OF Richard Lion Heart, using either hand
wiih equal skill and strength. whether re
struck his enegay's helmet or salnsd blows
upon a.s breast plate.
TIE English and German military men
haNe 'soosantly rated Sheridan IS .'dls-
unciiFely acavs.Ey commander o! genius. +"
Nhea IN iaeI his genius was FOR Infantry.
Tor he fought bis cavalry 81 every opro7-
faaliy as mounted infantry, moving them
rapidly 70 the poiat ef attack and then dis
Hiouatiug them far battle. TaIs foreign
description Of Sheridan Is about as absurd
a y woHld ee 20 describe Boaanarte a.
'd1s'4ee'ave.y an artillery genetal. shert-
aN0 AS oae q the gsSat generals 81 his
tory, au3 aay soldier Eo * great general
Eass u disssnstsysly grsA. commander