The National tribune., 1900-11-01

Armies and ordered to Washington. He
was then just 50 years old, but a veteran
IN capacity and experience. The promise
of Boonville had borne ripe fruitage at
Missionary Ridge under the eye of the
great commander. The brave and ener-
getic Sheridan, every inch Il soldier and a
hero, was to win on wider and more con-
SpicuouS fields an unassailable title TO n
place among the great captains of history.
Gen. John Newton succeeded Sheridan
in command of the division, which, under
Gen. .. .. Howard as Corps Commander,
participated in the Atlanta campaign. 1t
fought gallantly in all the leading battles
and skirmishes, including the battle of
Jonesboro, which led to the fall of the
rebel stronghold. Inc division. somewhat
reOrganized. was sent back TO Chattanooga
il September, 1SUI. 1t became part of
the army of Gen. Geo. III. Thomas left i'll
Tennessee, while Sherman conducted the
remainder of his forces on the march to
the sea.
At the battle of Franklin the I'D Ill.
and several other old regiments that had
fought under Sheridan were i'll Opdycke's $
Brigade of Wagners Division. This bri-
gade held one OF the pivotal positions i'll
the defensive line, and aided conspicuous
ly i'll the bloody Tcpulse of the overwhelm-
ing Confederate forces. Here the I3d ILL.,
lost another Major and another Adjutant,
both killed. The battle of Nashville, the
last great contest i'll the West, witnessed
the eliminating struggle and the CROWN
ing victory of what was left of Sheridan's
Division.
All his later triumphs never quenched
Sheridans pride in his early command or
cooled his affection for the officers and
men who from Perryvile to Missionary
Ridge responded to every cali he made,
with dauntless heroism and willing sacri-
fee. No soldier of his old division, how
ever humble in rank, who made his iden-
tity known, ever failed to receive that cor
dial welcome at his hands which is the
test of true comradeship and genuine man
liness. When he prematurely passed
away the Minnesota COmmandery of this
Order appointed on the committee with
Gen. Il. III. Ruger, of the Army, Arch
bishop Ireland and other companions, an
enlisted man of Sheridan's old division,
the writer hereof, who being assigned to
the duty, prepared the following, which
appears on the memorial volume:
Philip Henry Sheridan, General COM
maDding the armies of the United States
and COmmander-in-C Chief of the Military
Order of the Loyal Legion, died August 3,
1883. Lifted by approved merit and mag
niticent achievement through successive
gradations to rank among the foremost
leaders in the struggles for national pre-
worthily the laurels he so nobly won, and
witnessing the augmented prosperity of
the land he so bravely defended. The eager
gratitude of his admiring countrymen was
ever in advance of his own modest self
assertion in appreciation of his scldierly
qualities and in recognition of his splendid
deeds. 1t is an added poignancy to their
grief that his sudden removal, in the gold
en- prime of his manhood, blights their ex-
pectation of lengthening future years in
which to manifest their enduring regard
by cumulative honors. While thus the Ma
tion mourns, there comes to the surviving
Companions of his illustrious service a
keener pang. Within the sacred pale of
that comradeship there is sorrow none
outside can measure, for it embosoms
memories and loves and premonitions 9th
ers cannot know"
After ~ years L can add nothing to this
tribute. | will certainly detract nothing
from this estimate. The whole earth is
the sepulchre of a hero, and all mankind
are co-partners in the legacy of his glory.
But the Army of the Cumberland. the
Fourth Corps of that Army, and the Sec
ond Division of that corps, will possibly
be pardoned for asserting title to a special
interest in the name and fame of Philip
Henry Sheridan.
CThe End)