Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-12-28
five minutes In the day knew there
was just hell in there"

five minutes In the day knew there
was just hell in there"
At Cedar Creek, TO which Reed refers
in his poem, Sheridan did make use OF
terrible oath, but there are very few
who knew what that oath really was.
AS he dashed down the pike road
from Winchester and met his defeated
and demoralizod troops he swung his
hat In his energetic way and said
Face the other way, menl Boys, this
would not have happened had l been
hcrel Fall In right where you arei
Never mind your regimental organiza-
tion-we'll get the tightest twist on
them you ever saw-we're going back
to our camp. I'll sleep in my camp to-
night or I'll sleep In hadesl"
This was truly terrible oath, and IL
was terribly redeemed
At Missionary Ridge he was ordered
10 take the first line Of confederate in
trcnchments at the foot OF the ridge,
but he not only took the intrenchments
but the ridge also. On the summit Of
the ridge he poured into tin cup the
last drop OF whisky In his flask, and,
holding II up In the direction of
Eragg's headquarters, shouted (para-
phrasing Scott's instructions TO Bragg
during the Mexican war): "a little
more grape, Capt Bragg" Just then
mimic ball struck the cup from his
hand well, now" exclaimed Sheri-
dan, ~ consider that darned ungener-
ous," and, spurring forward, he led his
troops TO victory.
The writer had the honor of being
infinitely associated with Gen. Short
dan In Chicago in clerical capacity
for several years, and in all that time,
save twice, failed TO hear an oath from
his ps beyond the IIibernicism, "be-
CAD"
The first occasion was when a civil
ian, stranger TO the general, but who
came with letters OF introduction.
asked for his indors .mcnt for some
civil appointment Sheridan informed
him that he had made IL rule TO in
dorse no ono for civil position; that
he would not ind brse his own brother
for one But the man would not be
denied, and called the following day,
His request was again politely refused,
but when on the third day the man
pgain called Sheridan commenced TO
wh.stlc-an in lication well understood
10y all at headquarters that tho "old
man" was mad.
"Ddmnati1n, sir. have not told YOU
| would rot indorsc youl Leave my
Office Ihat man made an iaralent
reJoinicr, and before tho writer or any
OF his star could interfere Sheridan
had knocked him down, kicked him up
again and out OF the Office, where he
fell into the arms of Fred Grant, who
hastened his exit by pitching him
downstairs.
The only other occasion was during
the Ute outbreak aud the massacre OF
the Mcekor family. dispatch sent
by him to Gen. sherman detailing the
movement of the troops from the
White River agency TO the Uncom-
pahRre agency was badly garbled In
transmission, AMI the agent OF the
Western Union Telegraph company will
probably remember to this day the pc
culiar blueness of the atmosphere about
that time.
But while Little Phirs large black
eyes would occasionally blaze, and
deep ''damnation" burst from his lips,
his wrath was soon appeased, and as a
rule his language was clean and pure
as he himself was genial and kind
hearted. Los Angeles Cali Times