The Washington times., 1908-11-25
Statue Of Famous Cavalry
Leader Unveiled With
Striking Ceremonies.
ROOSEVELT MAKES
PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
Distinguished Gathering Surrounds
President Secretary Wright
One Of Speakers.

President Roosevelt today Joined IN
paying tribute TO the memory OF one
OF the greatest soldiers ia the history
of the United States. when The statue
OF Gen. Philip Sheridan was unveiled
with imposing ceremonies this after
noon Lieut.. Philip II. Sheridan. son OF
the noted general pulled the cords
and disclosed to view the striking
statue OF his father.
Surrounding the President OF the
United States were members OF the
Diplomatic Corps, the Presidents Cabi-
net, officers OF the highest rank IN the
military and naval branches OF the
United States service, with members
Of General Sheridan's family and
distinguished gathering of invited
guests.
Interest Widespread.
Rarely in the history OF washington
has a similar event evoked more wide
spread interest than the uuveling OF
the memorial 10 the daring cavalry lead
er OF the civil war. Gen. Luke Z.
Wright. OF Tennessee, Secretary Of War
and q fighter on the side OF the lost
cause was one OF the principal speak
ers OF the day. a fact significant in it
self and demonstrating the national
homage. which was tooay paid the noted
soldier.
One OF the most conspicuous delega-
tions on the platform was the division
of the Grand Army OF the Republic.
for whom special seats had been re-
served. The old vetrans wore their
uniforms and their c. A r badges.
Every branch OF the military and
naval service with that OF the District
OF Columbia National GuarG Joined in
the ceremonies. The United States Ma
rine Band furnished the musical rzro-
gram. and as the grcas audience OF. the
stand augmented by thousands 1lass.s3
about the square joined IN the singing
Of America the spectacle was wholly
inspiring.
President Is Early.
President Roosevelt arrived early and
took his place on the platform His
arrival was greeted with cheers 70
which he responded graciousIy. Secre-
tsTy Wright presided and promptly at
2:8o, the appointed hour, Bishop O'Con-
nell. rector OF the Catholic University
Of America, pronounced the invocation.
Secretary Wright. as president Of the
Sheridan Statue Commission. delivered
the opening address. and was followed
By Gen. Horace Porter. Both were
| glowing eulogies OF the part that Cen
| eral Sheridan had taken in making
/ United States history.
| Thousands OF persons were massed
| along Twenty-third street and through
Massachusetts avenue, each eager to
| get a glimpse Of the ceremonies even
| II they could not hear. Many stood
block away throughout the ceremonies.
using field glasses in an effort 10 see the
unveiling.
The Unveiling.
The most inspiring feature of the
program was the ceremony of unveiling.
| When Lieutenant Sheridan, a strap
| ping young cavalry officer and former
aide 10 President Roosevelt, rose and
advanced toward the statue, every eye
In the vast thTong was fastened on him.
He reached up, grasped the cords which
held the big nag drapery in place, ana
| with a graceful swing of his arm drew
| back the curtain and revealed TO the
great multitude the heroic statue OF his
noted father.
Immediately a battery Of field artiT sry
doomed forth the first OF seventeen guns,
q generals salute. while every head
/ in the big crowd was barred, and the
Marine Band played the stirring strains
of ''The Star-Spangled Banner" OLD
and young soldiers Bezed on the features
of the great general whose name went
down in history years ago, and viii ave
| There were many in that great throng
/ who lived again the days of the sixties
/ at sight of their leader; there were
/ others who knew him from the then
! side Of the enemy, but who today re-
| allied his great geneFalship and Joined
/ with 'the NORTH" In paying him hom-
The Monument.
| The statue. which stands in the midst
/ of Sheridan circle. at the intersection
! of Twenty-third street and AIassaChu-
setts avenue. Is heroic in size and rep
| resents the great cavalry leader on
| hors rseback. The pose chosen by the
| sculptor is spirited. The rider IS shown
| refining up his horse. as he did at the
end OF his famous ride to Winchester.
| In his right hand he holds his army
/ cap with which he acknowledges the
| salutes Of the soldiers he has rallied.
/ The horse is shown TO be trembling
/ With fatigue at the hard ride by which
/ Sheridan turned defeat TO victory. The
statue faces toward the city. On the
/ low pedestal which occupies the center
/ of large stone platform, there is the
single inscription Sheridan" The
/ figure and the likeness are eminently
| satisfactory to the family and friends
| of the noted general. It was executed
| by GutzOn BOrglum.
Following the ceremony Of unVeiling
| the President and Maj. Gen. Franklin
J. Bell. chief Of staff, reviewed the pa
rade- President Roosevelt then deliv-
/ cred his eulogy on General Sheridan
and following the playing of "Sherl-
dams Ride" by the Marine Band.
| Bishop-elect Alfred Harding pronounced
/ the benedicticn. The ceremonies closed
| with the singing or My Country, 'Tia
of Thee"
rA.n,.nivinn an1d pointn e. An