The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-07-07

Wesley Merritt was born in the city
Of New York, at 81 North Moore street,
On December /, 1885. His father, John
Willis Merritt, was a practiciag lawyer
at that time, but four years later,
finding the law not sufficiently remun-
erative to supply the increasing needs
Of a large family. he gave up his prac-
tfce and bought farm in Illinois, near
q small place called Belleville. Unlike
most distinguished soldiers, Wesley
Merritt is unable to recall any boyish
dreams of military career. Until he
was sixteen years old he had no idea
Of being a soldier, his train of thought
up to that period having been mainly
IN the direction of the law.
A military career was not to young
Merritt's taste. but in compliance with
his fathers wishes he consented to ac-
cept an opportunity to enter West
Point.
He was graduated July /, 1866, and
was assigned to the dragons. After
Crittenden, Utah, he was promoted, on
May 13, 1861, to a second lieutenancy,
and soon afterwards he became the
adjutant general of the federal forces
in Utah.
When he was called to duty in tn,
East, at the beginning or the civil war,
Lieutenant Merritt was adjutaut of the
Second Dragons, under Colonel Philip
st. George Cooke. and he remained
with that gallant officer for two or
three years. When Colonel Cooke was
made a brigadier general and placed
in command of the cavalry of the ar
my of the Potomac, young Merritt be-
came his aide de camp, and on April 5,
1862, was promoted to be captain. Much
If Captain Merritt's work as aide was
lone in Washington, and his intelli-
gence. quickness and military sagacity
made a most favorable impression on
The commanding officers with whom
he was brought in contact Persons
high in authority recognized In the act
i've young officer the ready qualities of
first class soldier, and Just before
the battle of Gettysburg he received the
appointment of brigadier general of
volunteers. On July l, 1868, he was put
IN command of the reserve cavalry at
Gettysburg and SO well did he acquit
himself that he was breveted a major
in the regular army for gallant and
meritorlous services"
1t was about this time that the boy
Brigadier," as Merritt was called by
the soldiers, attracted the attention of
General Sheridan. The latter was par
dcularly pleased with the young gen.
erals dash and nerve, and at the same
time impressed with his strategic skill.
Merritt had the knack of finding out
the 'enso sFjSaweak points and getting in
some erect blows before his prox-
unity was suspsssd d. He fought close
to Sheridan at Winchester, and so
cIeverly did he handle his division that
Little Phil' compllmenteo him warm
Iy at the close of the engagement A
cordial friendship sprang UP between
tho two distinguished cavalrymen.
which continued until Sheridan's death.
General Merritt was engaged in sew
eral spirited raids under Sheridan, and
from August, 1864, to March, 1865. he
was III command Of a cavalry division
IN the Shenandoah campaign. During
all of that time he was practically "in
the saddle" continuously.
After the close of the war General
Merritt was specially honored in Wash
ington. being personally commended by.
General Grant and by Secretary STAN
ton, and receiving the high military
honor of being brevetted a major gen
eral in the regular army. In the sum-
mer of 1855 he was appointed chief of
cavalry of the Military Division of the
Southwest, and subsequently chief of
cavalry of the Military Division of the
Gulf. On September 80, 1865, he was
mustered out of the volunteer service
and made lieutenant colonel of the
Ninth Cavalry. For several years he
served at various stations in the West,
and greatly enhanced his reputation as.
a daring and effective fighter by his
prowess In dealing with turbulent and
warlike Indians. He was actively en-,
gagged in the encounter with the Chey-
ennes. near Indian Creek, and soon af-
terward General Crook appointed him
chief of the cavalry attached to the
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