Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-25
Gen. Porter Calls Sheridan
Highest Type of Soldier
Gen. Porter spoke as follows

trato OF the TtpuDllC anu Oh TINS N"''
concourse of representative citizens 10
unveil a statue fashioned in enduring
bronze in honor of one Of the most illus
trious heroes in the annals of American
history.
Its purpose is to recall the record of
imperishable deeds, to testify that his
fame is not a dead memory, but living
reality. and to perpetuate a name that
deserves to be immortal
Gen. Porter briefly sketched Sheridan s
boyhood days and life at West Point. He
then narrated the following incident in
the beginning of his military career to
show his resourccfulneSs and determine
ton:
soon after receiving his commission
in the army he was assigned to active
duty on the Pacific coast. in campaigns
! against the hostile Indians. and when the
serious war began in Oregon in 1896
Sheridan was chosen to lead an eXpe-
! dtton for the relief of b,oCkhouse or
the Columbia rive. Landing on the
north side. he found the Indians in over
whelming force. and after some slIirmish-
ing IN which a ball graZed his nose, he
found that a successful front attack
would be Impossible. and he decided TO
make bold effort to turn their position.
. II was extremely hazardous. but his only
choice was between such an attempt and
the abandonment of the whites who had
taken refuge in the block house, who
would fall prey to the hostiles and be
! subjected to the worst forms Of Indian
barbarities. Sheridan quietly withdrew.
put his men on a large batteau he had
brought with him. transferred them to
the south bank, the movement being con-
cealed by a wooded island, and tOwed the
boat with great difficulty up the rapids
TO point nearly opposite the block
house. There he was Joined by the pOr-
ton Of his force that he had ordered to
march quietly along the south bank. He
ferried them across, rescued the whites
in the blockhouse and held his ground
until reinforcements arrived
Praised in General Orders
Gen. Wool. commanding the depart
ment commended Sheridan highly for his
conduct. and Gen. Scott. commanding the
army. in general order complmented
him by saying: Second Lieut.. Philip H
Sheridan, ith Infantry, is specially men
toned for his gallantry.' This exploit is
mentioned as peculiarly illustrative al that
early date of Sheridans chief military
characteristics The boldness promptness
of decision and intrepid courage displayed
{ IN this little expedition are the same
qualities that later in a broader field
gained him his marvellous successes
Picked Out by Grant
When Grant was placed in command of
the Union armies in March, 1854 he had
determined" said Gen. Porter Ito reor-
ganize the cavalry of the Army of the
Potomac with view to making it a more
| prominent and effective force and was
! anxious to select the most capable officer
TO command II. He naturally chose Sheri-
dan, and ordered him at once to Wash
lngton, Who on his arrival, was presented
10 the President. Secretary Stanton and
others and made the subject of cordial
congratulations upon his distinguished
services in the west. He had been worn
down almost to a shadow by exhausting
work and exposure in the field; he was
thirty-three years old. and looked still
younger; he weighed only a hundred and
fifteen pounds, and as his height was but
hve feet six inches, he certainly did not
while in the council chamber of the ma
ton, look the picture of a formidable cav
airy leader. The next time Gen. Grant
met the President he remarked: The Off
Ger you brought on from the west seems
rather little fellow to handle your cav
airy To which Grant replied: You will
ind him big enough for the purpose be-
fore We get through with him.
b Sherldan's cavalry was soon showing
It's usefulness in the crossing of the Rapi-
Gan and the battle of the Wilderness. The
day after the battle Gems Meade and
Sheridan had acrimonious alteration
regarding the operations of the cavalry.
IN which Sheridan said with much
warmth that if he could have matters
ms own way he would concentrate all
the cavalry. move out in force against
Stuart's command and whip it Cen
Meade came over to Gen. Grants head
quarters Immediately after and repeated
10 MIN this astounding statement. and
evidently expected the general 10 share
his astonishment Grant quietly remarLed.
DID Sheridan say that? Well he gen
orally knows what he is talking about.
Let MIN start right out and do it
Sheridan's Famous Ride.
Gen Porter referred as follows to Sher-
1dan famous ride from Winchester:
lie had been ordered to Washington
70 consult with the authorities there
and was on his way back TO his head
quarters, having reached Winchester
twenty miles from his army. when he
t.eaFd Aeavy hrinS and learned that
Inc enemy mad made an attack He threw
himself into the saddle and putting spurs
10 ms tavorIte horse, Rienzi. dashed off
al bfeakneck speed TO the front Meet
ing his army, broken, in great confusion
ana IN full retreat. he rushed forward
swinging his hat shouting ENCOURAGEMENT
10 his men. and crying We must face the
clher way. We will go back and recover
our camp The news sped from one com
mand to another that their unconouerahIa
commander was on the field. The men
C"anSlng from the depth of despondency
10 me extreme OF enthusiasm, faced about
ana with wild cheers followed their he
role leader. The enemy was comnle,e civ
l"uted with tie loss of many prisoners
much material and forty pieces of ar
u4efy. The disastrous defeat had been
changed 10 crowning victory and .Sher-
jCan ride became famous in story in
painting and in sculpture Grant on re-
CelFlns the news. ordered 81 salute of a
hundred guns 10 be fired in honor of
sheridan signal victory and said in con
Nrrsdtion with those of us on his staff
W" were with him at the time 'Sheri-
Ian courageous words and brilliant
o"edS encourage his commanders as much
- they inspire his sUbordinates While
lie has magnetic influence possessed
by few men in AN engagement and is
seen to best advantage in battle he docs
a much beforehand to contribute 10 viz
tory as any living commander. His MANS
are always well matured and in every
movement he strives with a definite mr.
pose in view. No man would be better
fitted to command all the armies in the
field
The enemy had lost in this campaign
1G..E,2 killed and wounded, IL 600 prison-
"rs and most of his artillery The Shen-
andoah valley was thus finally rendered
impossible of occupancy by confederate
troops Sheridan was now made a ma ior-
general in the regular army
The terms of President Linroln's or
der comforting this rank were: For
personal Pallantry. military skill End
with Just confidence in the courage end
patriotism of his troops displayed by
Philip H. Sheridan on the 10Th of &C.
tnh'r nj Cedar Run, where, under the
blessing of Providence. his routed army
was reorganized. great national dis
aSter aNerted and brilliant victory
achieved over the rebels for the third