Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1894-06-21

the time he and L entered Gne same
class at West Point in 1913.
"When we left West Point he was
sent to Texas as second lieutenant OF
the First Infantry, and | saw little OF
him until 1854, when he became sec
ond lieutenant in the Fourth Infantry,
Of which / was also in command. The
following year, when I was on the Pa
cifc coast, General Hood, who was
commanding the Cavalry, was sent
away on q surveying exhibition, and
during his absence General Sheridan
was assigned to take his place as sec
ond lieutenant of the Second Cavalry
I was then with him during the topo-
graphical expedition through the Cas-
cade range of mountains, in looking
for suitable military pass. After
this we did not meet again till 1868,
except in the Army Of the Cumber-
land, and then I did not even get q
chance to speak to him,
"Our most memorable meeting was
when Gen. Sheridan made his famous
ride from Winchester to Cedar Creek.
1 was the first man he spoke to after
he had time to get his breath on
reaching the Union forces Middle
town was some distance away from
where the main body of the army was
rallying along Cedar Greek. The
turnpike road leading through the
village of Middletown ran along Ce.
dar Greek for some distance, and we
could see the General flying on his
horse a long distance before he was
within ear-shot. L can see him now
as he came riding up with his horse
all in foam, his TANKS bleeding from
spur thrusts, and the rider flushed
with excitement and almost as breath
less as his steed. 1t was scene never
to be forgotten.
ave had routed the enemy some
thirty minutes or so before Gen. Sheri-
dan reached us, and we were spending
our time in gathering up the stray
glers. There seemed to be no imme-
diate danger, and we were taking the
situation rather cody. Sheridan Of
course, had no knowledge Of what had
been done and thought that great is
sues hung on his arrival in time. He
rode up to the general headquarters,
leaped from his horse. and without
ever taking time to tie it, called out
where is General Crook
Il was not far awaw and ran up as
soon as possible what is the situa-
ton? he asked. l told him that there
was no immediate danger, rs our forces
were largely in the majority and our
position was pretty well guarded. He
said we must never give up till we
have routed the enemy These were
not his exact words. They were in
the more forcible language in which
Gen. Sheridan in moments of excite
ment was won't to indulge.
"The distance which Gen. Sheridan
rode, 1 think, was something like
twelve miles. The story of the ride,
as told in the favorite poem, is trife
idealized, but in the main q pretty
correct account of the event. And yet
no poetic language could express the
thrilling interest of that scene, rs the
soldiers beheld their commander COM
ing to their aid, and raised their
voices in an universal shout as he APP
preached, riding as only Phil Sheri-
dan could ride.
"After it was known that there was
no immediate danger, Gen. Sheridan
gave his orders to the different officers.
He, of course, assumed chief command
instead of General Wright Of the
Sixth Corps, who had been in com.
mand during the generals absence.
"The rest of that engagement is now
o part of history and need not go into
the details. But I will add this, that
the ride and the engagement that fol
lowed illustrated in q notable way
Gen. Sheridan's style of fighting.
Many people have given him credit
for great dash, brilliancy, and bold
ness in battle, but this is not the truth
His dominant characteristic as a fight.
er was his tenacity. He never would
yield as long as there was the shadow
of chance. 1t is said that he never
knew fear. This 1 consider no com
pliment to any general. 1t means
either that he had not enough sense tC
realize danger or that he is liar wher
he says he is not afraid. Sheridan il
no doubt brave man, as brave as the
bravest, and yet he knows what fear il
as well as any soldier.