Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 09.djvu/358

 SHERIDAN

SHERIDAN

manded the 2d division, 4th corps, of the anny under General Grant in the Cliattanooga cam- paign, Nov. 'Ji?-27. 1:^03. where he led liis division from Ordiaril Knob up Missionary Ridge, and drove the Confederate force from the summit, and down the other side. He was in occupation of East Tennessee, 1863-64; and transferred to Virginia and given command of the entire cavalry corps of the Army of the Potomac, April 4, 1864. He commanded the cavalry in Grants cam|)aign against Richmond, taking part in the battle of the Wihlerness; the combat at Todd's Tavern; capture of Spt:)ttsylvania Court House and in the raid to Haxall's Landing. May 9-24. 1864, when he cut the Virginia Central and Richmond and Fredericksburg railroads, returning to Chat- field Station, May 25, 1864. He commanded the cavalry corps in the advance to Cold Harbor, and took part in the actions of Hanovertown and Tolo- potomy Creek. May 27, 1864; the battle of Hawes' Siiop. May 28, 1864; the action of Meladequin Creek. May 30, 1864, and the battle of Cold Har- b<jr. May 31-June 1, 1864. On June 7, he was ordered to take the cavalry divisions under Tor- bert and Gregg, numbering about 8,000 men, and make a raid on the Virginia central railroad, and thus destroy communications between Richmond and Gfirdonsville and Lynchburg, and possibly form a junction with (General Hunter, who had been operating in the Siienandoah Valley. On June 12. l'^64. he attacked the Con federate forces under Gen. Wade Hampton at Trevilian Sta- tion and defeated him wuth great loss. He also commanded the cavalry in the actions of Turn- stall Station, St. Mary's Church and Darbytown, and on Aug. 7. 1864, was given temporary com- mand of the Middle Military division of the army for the protection of the Shenandoah Valley, afterward known as the Army of the Shenandoah, his permanent occupation of the position being opposed by Secretary Stanton on the ground of his being too young for so important a position. On assuming command, he massed his army at Hallt)wn. in front of Harper's Ferry, Va., and marched toward the Confederate communications in order to force a battle before reenforcemeiits could be obtained by Gen. Jubal A. Early, the commander of the Confederate army in the Shen- andoah. Early retreated toward Kernstown, pursued and harassed by Sheridan's cavalry, but at Fisher's Hill the Confederate reenforcements arrived and Sheridan prepared to occuj)y a more fortified position, withdrawing from Cedar Creek to Berryvillfi. driving all the cattle and live stock in the valley, before him, and burning the grain. On Aug. 21, 1864, Early moved Ids army to attack Sheridan, who withdrew to Halltown and later toward Chariestown. On Sept. 19, 1864, he at- tacked EsiTly in front of Winchester, was met

with a furious resistance and after repeated charges by the Federal cavalry, the Confederates fleil in disorder, and retreated during the night to Fisher's Hill. Sheridan was promutt-d hrig- adier-geiieral U.S.A., Sej.t. 20, 1864. On Sept. 21. 1864, the Federal infantry under Crook at- tacked Early's left and rear, causing a comjilete rout, and Early retreated to Mount Jackson, where he re-organized and retreated in line of battle to P(nt Republic. On October 12, in con- se(iuenc-e of an order from Secretary Stanton, Sheridan started for Washington to consult with Stanton and General Ilalleck, and on October 18 E.-irly secretjy moved a force to turn Sheridan's left flank at Cedar Creek and made an early morning attack on the sleeping camp, seizing their artillery and using it with great effective- ness against them. The demoralized Federal troops broke and fled in dismay. Sheridan stopped at Winchester on his way from Washington, and hearing the sound of battle he rode to Cedar Creek, a distance of twenty miles, and as he passed the retreating troops he shouted " Face the other way, boys, we're going back! " The army was quickly re-organized and amid cheei-s for Sher- idan, the Confederates were completely routed. Sheridan pursued the retreating troops as far as Mount Jackson, and then devastated the vallej'. He was promoted major-general U.S.A., Nov, 8, 1864. and the thanks of congress were tendered him, Feb. 9, 1865, for "the gallantry, military skill, and courage, displayed in the brilliant series of victories achieved by his army in the valley of the Shenandoah, especially at Cedar Creek."' He took part in the action of Middletown, Nov. 12, 1864, and conducted the great raid from Winc^hester to Petersburg, Sept. 27-March 24, 1865. destroying the James River and Kanawha canal and cutting all the railroads in the line of mandi and taking part in the combat of Waynesboro, and the actions of North Anna Bridge and Ashland. He joined the Army of the Potomac in the Richmond campaign and commanded the cavalry at the battle of Dinwid- dle Court House. March 31, 1865: the battle of Five Forks. April 1, 1865; battle of Sailor's Creek, April 6, lS6.i; the action of Appomattox Station. April 8. 1865. and took part in the capitulation of General Lee at Appomattox Court House, April 9. 1865. He made a raid to South Boston, N.C.. and returned to Petersburg. ]\Iay 3, 1865. He com- manded the military division of the Southwest, June 3-July 17, 1865; was transferred to the military division of the Gulf. July 17. 1875, and was in command of the Deitartment of the Gulf, Aug. 15. 1866— March 11, l.%7: of the 5th military district, composed of Louisiana and Texas. March 11-Sept. 5. 1865. and of the department of the Missouri with headquarters at Fort Leavenworth,