Omaha daily bee., 1911-04-01
SHERDGN'S ARMY ON BORDER
Historical Precedent for Present
Mobilization Of Troops.
STIRRING TIMES ON RIO GRANDE
Tielzlish situation at Close 81 Civn
war and How 81 was Handled
Withdrawal OF French


States troops in Texas r. not novelty IN
the history OF the war department While
Il is said that the troops are in Texas
merely for maneuvers, such was not the
case when General Phil" Sheridan was
sent into that state with 5000 veteran
troops.
This move followed the occupation Of
Mexico by the French and the placing Of
Maxinilian on the throne by Napoleon.
When the American civil war was az It's
height, the emperor Of the French sent
troops 10 Mexico TO establish a throne
there. believing the government Of the
United States too much occupied with war
TO attempt TO enforce the Monroe doctrine.
The occupation Of Mexico by the French
army was the most radical infraction of
that doctrine ever attempted.
Not until after the battle Of Gettysburg
and tho fall Of vicksburg did Secretary Sc
ward deem II wise to notify the French that
the proceedings in Mexico were distasteful
to the United States government, and not
until after the war did Mr.. Seward find the
tirus ripe to demand Of Napoleon that the
Brenoh armies bs withdrawn from Mexico.
Even before the grand review in Wash
ington, prior 70 the disbandment of the
armies Of the union, In which he longed 70
March, General Sheridan was ordered to
the Texas frontier to put down the rebel
lion in that quarter and also to reinforce
the demand Of the United States govern
ment that Macmillan and hts European
allies evacuate Mexico.
sheridan sent to Texas.
The day after Sheridan arrived in Wash
ington from Petersburg, he received orders
transferring him to a new command. The
order directed him to restore Texas and
that part OF Louisiana held by the enemy
to the union. He was told that he could
have all the troops that could be spared
by Major General Candy in Louisiana
about 5000 men OF all arms-the troops
that were with Major General T. J. Rey-
nolds in Arkansas-12, OOO-the Fourth Army
corps at Nashville and the Twenty fifth
Army corps in Virginia.
Sheridan promptly called on General
Grant to see II his orders were to be con-
sidsred so pressing as ia preclude his re-
naming in Washington until after the
grand review. General Grant told him that
II was absolutely necessary to go at once
TO force the surrender of the confederates
Under Kirby Smith. At that interview Cen
eral Grant also told Sheridan that there
was an additional Rotive in sending him
TO the new command, a motive not ex-
Grant said that he looked upon the in
vasion Of Mexico by Macmillan as a part
% the rebellion itself because Of the en-
couragement that invasion had received
from the confederacy. Sheridan was told
that II would be necessary for him to act
with great care as Seward was opposed
to the use Of United States troops along
the border In any active way that would
be likely to involve the country in q war
with European powers
Sheridan's written orders, signed by II.
Grant Acknowledgement, concluded as
follows:
In case Of an active campaign "a hostile
one), think a heavy force should be nut
on the Rio Grande as a first preliminary.
Troops for this might be started at once.
The Twenty-fifth corps is now available.
and to 1t should be added a force OF white
troops, say those now under Major-Gen-
eral Steele
TO be clear on this last point, / think
the Rio Grande should be strongly held,
whether the force in Texas surrender or
not, and that no time should be lost in
getting troops there. II war is TO be made.
they should be in the right place; IL Kirby
smith surrenders, they will be on the line
which is to be strongly garrlsoned.
Should any force be necessary other
than those designated, they can be had by
calling for them on army headquarters"
Cavalry Sent Across state.
sheridan left Washington without particl-
pating in the grand review. When he ar
rived az his station, he decided to cross the
state with two columns OF cavalry, sending
one to San Antonio under Major General
Wesley Merritt and the other to Houston
under Major General George A Custer
Several regiments of cavalry from the east
bank Of the Mississippi were added to the
mounted forces.
BY the time the two columns were ready
10 start for San Antonio and Houston,
General Frank Heron, with one division
OF the Thirteenth corps, had occupied Gal
weston, and another division under General
Fred Steele had gone to Brazos to hold
Brownsville and the line OF the Rio
Grande.
The object was TO keep the escaping
eonfederates from Joining Macmillan.
Sheridan soon asked for an increase OF
his force, 80 that he could send troops
elsewhere In Texas He wanted to concen,
trate At available points in the state an
army strong enough to move against the
invaders Of Mexico, II conditions demanded
- 0-'e "oA'S -AiAth corps were
then ordered to report 20 him and he sem
the former TO Victoria and San Antonio
and the bulk OF the latter to Brownsville
From Brazos, Santiago. Sheridan had &C
build railroad to CiRrksvine. about eight
cen miles All this work was done b,
the soldiers. The railroad was needed I,
transport supplies for the forces a.
brownsville and along the Rio Grande.
In the latter part OF June, 1865 Genera
sheridan went 10 Brownsville himself 4
impress the imperialists with the idea tina
the United states meant business He ais
sent General Steele TO make demonstra
tions all along the lower Rio Grande. an,
at the same time demanded the return o
certain munitions OF war that had beer
turned over by ex-confederates to the i'm