Evening journal., 1911-03-03
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
Two Confederate Veterans
Who Made Sheridan'S
Last Bays Happy
By "HolIand."


Had General Philip II. Sheridan
lived until March 9Th of this year he
would have been 80 years of age.
Simon Bolivar Buckner is the only
one OF the more prominent generals
upon either side in the Civil War to
reach so great an age. Nearly all the
others died before reaching rs years of
age. General Sheridan died on August
8, 1888, at Nonquitt, Massachusetts,
whittier he had been taken in the hope
that the bracing atmosphere of the sea
might restore his health. Nonquitt is
situated upon the west bank of Buzz
Yards Bay, and nearly at the point
where bay and ocean meet
When General Grant became Presi-
dent, General Sherman succeeded
Grant as general Of the army and
Sheridan moved up into Sherman's old
position, that Of lieutenant general.
When General Sherman went upon the
retired list in 1884, General Sheridan
became the general-in-chief, having
the rank of lieutenant general, and it
was the most popular impression that
the grade of general had passed for
ever with the retirement of Sherman.
In May of 1883, Sheridan, while trav-
cling as head of the army, was ex-
posed to inclement weather i'm the
West He brought back to Washington
the seeds of organic disease, and no
medical skill was able TO stay its pro-
gress. In the summer Of that year,
when Il was evident that Sheridan had
but little while to live, his friends at
Washington thought 1t worth while to
persuade Congress, if possible, to pass
a bill restoring the grade of general
and permitting Sheridan to be nomi-
mated to that office.
The House of Representatives con-
tanned a majority of Democrats, and
many OF the members had seen serv-
ice in the Confederate army However.
the friends of Sheridan appealed TO
some of the Republican leaders, among
them Thomas b. Reed, then leader-in-
chief on the Republican side, and the
members undertook TO feel out the
House regarding the plan.
The first Democrat of prominence to
whom the suggestion was made was a
Confederate veteran, Charles +. Crisp,
of Georgia. who three years later be-
came Speaker of the House.
do you suppose that it would be
possible to get bill through the House
restoring the grade Of general ana
permitting the nomination of Sheri-
dan to that Officer" he was asked.
Il would rather give my support to
a measure of that kind in favor of
Sheridan than for any other officer
who was upon the Union side MIR,
Crisp replied instantly. HE was a
brave soldier. a great soldier. and he
was a leader of most kindly considera-
tion and of real modesty."
"Do you think you can persuade
your friends upon your side of the
House to support a measure of that
kind?" Mr.. Crisp was then asked.
Il can if can give them good rea-
son for urging such action at this time.
Tell me such reason
General Sheridan is dying. He has
probably but few days-or weeks at
the most--to live. We understand that
he has little property; all that his fam
lily will have will be Mrs. Sheridans
pension as the widow of an army Off
Ger. Sheridan wrote his personal me-
moirs in the hope that the sale of them
would bring him some capital But the
book appeared at an inopportune time
there are too many memoirs. We know
that if Sheridan could be assured that
Congress had honored him with the
rank OF general and that his widow
would receive the increased emolu-
ments which the pension paid to gem
erals widow makes possible, he would
feel greatly relieved"
"That is enough" Mr.. Crisp replied
Il know a statement of that kind win
appeal to a great majority upon our
side OF the House. Leave the matter to
Mills The meant Roger Q. Mills OF
Texas, then chairman of the Ways and
Means Committed and myself"
Speedily a bill was introduced, and
Mr.. Crisp undertook to hasten its pas
sage through the House by parliamen-
tary procedure. He made a touching
a beautiful speech in support Of the
measure; and so did Mr.. Mills. also Z
! Confederate veteran But word 'cams
/ to them that one member of the HOUSE
on their side. having some resentment
was disposed to block the passage ol
the bill.
1--WE will take care of that member,
said Mr.. Crisp. And they did take care
of him by practically compelling hin
to leave the House while the bill was
under consideration. And the bill was
passed, it became a law through the
signature Of President Cleveland. anC
! Sheridan was notified.
A few days later Philip Henry Sher
idan. General u. S. A., died.
Copyright, 1911, by E. J. Edwards. AL
Rights ReserYed.)
Tomorrow Mr.. Edwards viii tell o