The Irish standard., 1905-07-15
BRAVEsT OF THEM ALL.
Gen. Philip II. Sheridan, the Son Of
an Irish Farmer.

In his Men and Things l Saw in
Civil War Days." James F. Rushing, a
Brevet Brigadier-General, U. s. ",
has the following to say about Gen.
P. H. sherida1:
Of Lees surrender it is not neces-
sary to speak more here. But it is
the truth of history that in all the
operations leading up to it Sheridan
was literally the right hand of Grant,
hitting like fail or striking like a
battering ram, and what this spring
campaign would have been without
him venture not to say. 1t is enough
to say that without him the campaign
of 1864 before Petersburg availed but
little, and that with him the campaign
of 1865 resulted gloriously. He cer-
tainly must have large share of the
credit, whatever is due to Meade and
Grant, and his illustrious commander
in-chief would be the last to deny this.
On the whole, l submit there was
glory enough to go round for all. But
all honor to Philip H. Sheridan.
To conclude, clearly he was not a
popinjay, like Wheeler, nor partisan
like Forrest-a slave driver turned
soldier-nor a Prince Rupert, like Jeb
Stuart; but he was a veritable Henry
of Navarro, a plumed knight for the
Union, and will rank among great
commanders, If not of the first rank,
yet we'll up among the first; and, un-
questionably, would have risen higher
had the war lasted and opportunity
occurred. He had force and fire, and
knew how to lead men and to inspire
them. But he had also prudence and
patience, and knew how to command
men, and conduct great operations as
we'll, and few soldiers have shown
both qualities is SO large a degree.
He has been compared to Kearney,
| but he had more breadth and keen
ness than Kearney, though less mill
| tary learning and culture. He has
been compared to Murat, but that
beau sabreur had not half of Sheri,
dams brains nor 1.-THE Of his integ.
rity and patriotism. In some re.
spects he was to Grant what Stone.
wall Jackon, and after him Long,
street, were to Lee. But he was ADLER
and nimbler than either, and Grant
did not hesitate to declare that, take
him all in all, he was second to no
general our Civil war produced on
either side. LAS a soldier" he said
there is no man living greater than
Sheridan. He belongs to the very
front rank of captains, not only of our
army, but of the world. l rank him
with Napoleon and Frederick and the
great commanders of history" That
was Grants sober opinion, long after
the war closed, and who was or is a
better Judge?
Clearly he was one of Providences e
picked men, required then and there
for the salvation of the Republic. His
name was a flag. His opportunity
was large. His duty was great. And
he was equal to both. He began life
as the son of poor Irish farmer. He
rose to be General of the United
States army-the very highest rank
in the United States army-in the
most critical period of American his
tory, rank attained by Grant and
Sherman only. Well, then, 1 say:
"Hurrah, hurrah for Sheridan!
Hurrah for Sheridan, horse and man!
And when the statues are placed on
high,
| Under the dome of the Union sky,
The American soldiers Temple of
Fame"
Let every American boy study his
great and heroic career, and may we
all profit by his manly life and glor.