The Irish standard., 1897-08-07

routed army was reorganlZed, great
national disaster averted, and brill
liant victory over the rebels for a third
time in pitched battle within thirty
days" From that hour. in any public
meeting in the North, Sheridan's name
called forth hearty cheers. And the
victory made Lincon's reelection. as
to which there had been great anxiety,
fcregone conclusion. On Feb. g. 1865,
Sheridan received the thanks of con-
81 ess for the gallantry. military skill
and courage displayed in the blilliant
series of victories achieved by his army
in the valley Of the Shenandoah, es-
pecially at Cedar Run" The closing
scenes of the war are inseparably con-
nected with Shcridan's name. From
Feb 81 to March 24, 1865 he was en-
gagged in the raid from Winchester to
Petersburg, during which he destroyed
the James River and the kanawha
canal. cut Important railway connec-
lions. destroyed military stores, and
had numerous engagements with the
opposing force. From March rs to
April 8 he was in the Richmond CAM
paign. On April | he gained the battle
of Five Forks. or this engagement
Grant says: Here Sheridan displayed
great generaship" Five Forks vas
one of the most brilliant and decisive
of the engagements OF the war, and
compelled Lees evacuation of Peters
burg and Richmond Sheridan was or
dercd to fellow Lees retreating army.
He followed the Confederates from
Richmond, toward Danvile. where Lee
hoped to escape by crossing over the
| Appomattox to the mountains, and join
Johnston. Sheridan. with $4,000 moun.ed
men. met Lee at Petersville and seized
the Confederate line Of retreat. This
movement put an end to Lees hope CT
reaching Danvlle and joining John
st0n. A battle was impossible. for
Sheridan had a force nearly equal to his
own. and GIANT was hurrying on with
the roit of the Federal army. Lee
,
ward Farmvilc. hoping to he able to
reach Lynchburg. at Jettersville Sher-
idan, seeing the position of the Confed-
crates and a humane chance OF ending
the war without causing further loss
OF life. wrote to Grant in the following
! language: Il wish you were here
! yourself. | feel confident of cap.ul ing
the army of Northern Virginia If We
exert ourselves. | see no escape for Gen.
Lee" Sheridan. after passing Farmville,
pushed forward again. and by forced
| march reached Apromattox station on
; the night of the Sth and planted his
forces squarely across the Confederate
line of retreat. The next morning Ice.
| when near AppomattoX Courthouse, dis
y y covered this obstacle in his way. Lee
had now burt ten thousand men with
arms in their hands. AS soon as he
discovered Sheridan in his front, Lee
| attempted to cut his way through the
; lines. but failing in this effort and be-
| ing convinced that further resistance
would merely be a useless sacrifice Of
his men, at 9 o'clock on the morning
of the 9th waved a flag of truce in front
of his line. with the information that
F, hOstlites had been suspended in order
! to arrange terms of surrender. The
| two commanders met at house near
! Appomattox Courthouse. and. after a
L,nf iv,tn in1H rod hn tnrs NJ
the surrender. At this surrender Shn:'i-
dan introduced Lee to Grant, and. with
the latter, stood side by side at the
equalization, and was crowned with
honors on the disbandng of the armies.
| The news of the capture Of Richmond
and Petersburg and the surrender Of
Lees army was received in the North
with the greatest rejoicing. Bells were
r,ing. cannon fired and Examinations
flashed In every town and village, and
thus closed the feats of Grant, Sheridan
and Sherman in that memorable Gull
mination of the greatest war in modern
history. On March 4. 1869. Sheridan
was made lieutenant general. and on
Nov. |. 1883 was made general of the
United States. 1t may be here mention
ell that there have been burt four gen.
erals of the United States army-Wash-
ingtnn Grant, Sheridan and Sherman.
Sheridan was never defeated. and often
pluckcd victory out Of the jaws Of de-
feat, He was thoroughly trusted. adj
mircd and loved by his officers and
men. He bore the nickname OF Little
Phil" u term of endearmcnt due to his
size. He was but five feet six inches.
but powerfully built with IL strong
countenance, indicative Of valor ard
resolution. Trustful to remarkable
degree. modest and reticent. he was a
model soldier aud general. n good citl-
zen in all the relations of public and
private life. thoroughly deserving the
c;tcnm aud admiration OF all who knew
| him. He died In NonQuitt. Mass, Aug.
/ 5. 1888
| AS a soldier there is no man greater
| than Sheridan" said Gen. GIANT "1le
belongs to the very first tank OF sol
! djcrs, net unly Ct cur country, bit of
f, the world | tank him with Nap ilaon
| and Frederick ana the great command