The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1906-12-23
GEN. M. V. SHERIDAN
His Service in the Army.
we were, brothers in the mighty strife;
And side by side W the call to duty"

It is a great name in the annals of
the army-that of Sheridan! The we'll
known Gen. Philip Sheridan, the very
type Of popular hero, carried the name
TO the heights of glory in the civil
war. and to-day the name still ap-
pears twice on the Army Register, once
in the list Of first lieutenants. where it
records the service-sman as yet-of
Philip Sheridan, the younger, son of
the man who saved the day at Win
chester, and who is at present credited
10 the Fifth Cavalry, though acting as
aid-de-camp to Theodore Roosevelt.
Commander-in-chief of the United
States army. The other Sheridan is
listed in that part headed retired from
active service" it is the name Of
Rrig. Gen. Michael Y. Sheridan, brother
Of the famous Phil" and himself a
participator in many of the great bat
ties of the war, part Of the time on his
brothers staff
it is almost too much to expect that
one family shall turn out two soldiers
of 5uperlative degree, but the Sheri-
dams have always been a lighting race,
and while it was given Philip, the elder
TO win great glory and to render serv-
ice in high places, the younger
brothers record Is one that any mill
tary man might well be proud of
Thirty-nine years service he saw al
together what with the civil war, serv-
Ice against the Indians. and in the
Porto Rico campaign Of the Spanish
war. and 50 he has earned his rest. and
with his family lives n peaceful and
happy life at his comfortable home in
Jefferson place, revolving many mem
cries"
Michael V. Sheridan was born in
Ohio. Nav q, 1910. and until he was
impelIed by his country's need had
small thought OF a soldiers career. ''As
a matter Of fact" he says. they spoiled
a priest when I dOnned the blue uni
form. I don't think it was that I had
any particular ideas as to my vocation
for the Catholic priesthood. but my
brother Phil. was cut out for a soldier,
and the family, himself included
seemed TO think that it was my duty to
serve the church. As a matter Of fact
I was billed for i berth in the Domini-
can convent in Ohio But, after all
il was the war that settled it; became
q soldier-and I can't say that I have
anything to regret.
He answered the call for troops in 1868
and entered The war as first lieutenant Of
the Second Missouri Infantry, and after
service here. there. and everywhere. he
and aid-de-camp TO Mai Gen. Sheridan.
As such he served through the battles of
PerryviHe Ky, and Stone River, Tenn.
In the battle of Chickamauga he also act
ed as aid, and spent most Of his time
galloping under the hottest kind Of fire
with orders to one point or another.
Then he was detached for a while and
went through the battle of Missionary
Ridge and the campaign Of East Ten
nesSee, including the CORY combat at Dan
bridge. Tenn. He again Joined his brother
Maj. Gen. Sheridan. commanding cavalry
corps of the Army Of the Potomac on
april T. 1854 and he participated in the
great raid from SpOttsylvania 10 the
James.
1T was after the successful passage of
the Rapidan," says Gen. Michael Sheri-
dan, that Sheridan's cavalry corps was
concentrated on the plank road In the VI
cinity of AIdrich's, and moved out on the
expedition around the right flank of Gen.
Lees army. It was hoped thus to cut his
communications with his base, and that
Lees cavalry might be drawn out and de-
stroyed. which would infict an irrepara-
bic loss on the COnfederacy.
1T was a case OF fighting all day and
marching half the night 1 was with the
advance brigade of Gen. Merritts division
for a time which was commanded by Gen
Custer. and before reaching Beaver Dam,
Custer recaptured a train Of ambulanCes
and about 400 of our men who had been
taken prisoner during the fights in the
Wilderness. Pushing on, Cen Custer got
possession of Beaver Dam station, where
he captured d lot of supplies intended for
Lees army. several hundred stand Of
arms, and two locomotives
Another brilliant enga cement about
this time was yellow Bridge. where
Stuart with his main force in a strong
position awaited the Federal attack.
As soon as the Federal troops got
within sight Of the enemy they at
tackled and Gen Merritt got posses
sion of the Brooks pike and the tavern,
while Stuart reformed his line some
distance to the east of the pike which
he enfladed with his guns, thus max
ing the position of Devin and Gibbs.
who held the tavern. a bit warm. They
held on. though. supported by the artil-
lery In the meantime, Custer sup
ported by the brigade under Chairman.
charged and broke the Confederate
lire. capturing two OF his guns and
driving the separated parts of his
divided force, one toward Richmond
and the other toward Ashland Here
il was that Gen. Stuart, commanding
the Confederate cavalry, was mOrtaIlv
wounded and died within q few DAYS.
There came battle after battle in
quick succession. for Gen Sheri-
dan was dealing a succession of ham
mer blows. There were the battles Of
Meadow Bridge HanOvertOwn, ToIo-
potOmy, and many others, in all Of
which the young aid-de-camp, Sheri-
dan, took part. II was the great final
raid of Phil. Sheridan which demon
strated what could be accomplished
by a well organized cavalry force under
competent leader ably seconded by
his subordinate officers and men. As
Slime. the historian of the First Army
Corps. says: Thus the cavalry Of the
Army Of the Potomac. which from the
time Hooker is alleged to have said
that he would give S1G0 for a dead
cavalryman. through the cavalry
fights at Kelleys Ford. on ST. Patrick
Day. in 1868. Brandy Station, Aide
Auddleburg, Upperville, Gettysburg.
Monterey. Falling Waters. Shepherds
town. Culpeper Court House, Rristoe
station. and Mine Run. became fused
ia the fire of innumerable combats
was. under Sheridan, welded into a
homogeneous whole to be launched
like a thunderbOlt, splintering and
tearing to pieces whatever stood in its