O victory of the Union armies in the civil war was more inspiring than that won by General Sheridan at Winchester, in October, 1864, - and inspiring victories were at that time very much needed. An account of that battle is also a picture of Sheridan's character, for it was the simple force of his presence and personality which transformed demoralized fugitives into determined fighters, each feeling as though 'twere he On whose sole arm hung victory. Sheridan was a poor Irish lad, born in Somerset, Ohio, in 1831. He managed to get from the Congressman of his district an appointment to West Point, where his hot temper was perpetually introducing premature war. He barely succeeded in graduating in 1853. In the early part of the civil war he was in Missouri, and he distinguished himself at the battles of Murfreesboro and Chickamauga. But it was in the latter part of the war that he won his highest fame. One of the most glorious victories of the war was won by Grant's armies at the battle of Chattanooga, when the Union troops stormed the heights of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. Sheridan was in command of one of the four divisions. Emerging from the timber in which the lines were formed, the troops charged at double-quick across an open plain, against the first line of rifle-pits, at the foot of the ridge. The Confederates were driven out of the works, some killed, and many captured. The Union troops did not stop for further orders, but rushed on up the ascent, against the second line, half-way to the summit. At this moment a messenger came from Grant with word that only the first line of works was to be attacked. But it was too late; already the men were pressing on up the hill in the face of a storm of bullets. To order them back was out of the question. They rushed on with a cheer, carried the second line of rifle-pits, and met the enemy in a desperate hand-to-hand fight on the summit. The Confederates were driven from their guns and sent flying down the opposite slope, pursued by a shower of stones from the Union forces, who had not time to reload. Before all of Sheridan's men had reached the crest, the demoralized troops of Bragg were seen, with a large train of wagons, flying along the valley, half a mile below. It was Sheridan's conduct in this brilliant assault which gave Grant the implicit confidence in him which he always afterward felt; and when, a few months afterward, Grant was made general-in-chief, he at once desired to have Sheridan's assistance in Virginia. Thus it was that the great cavalry leader came to win his brilliant victories in the Shenandoah Valley and before Richmond. In 1864, the Confederate general Early made his famous movement through the Shenandoah Valley and into Maryland, threatening Washington and Baltimore, and even Philadelphia. Disaster seemed imminent. A part of the army before Richmond was detached and sent north to protect Washington; and then Grant dispatched Sheridan with his cavalry to the Valley. Some weeks passed in waiting and maneuvering, Sheridan being determined not to attack until he could get the enemy at a disadvantage. Meantime the country was impatient. Grant visited Sheridan, expecting to suggest a plan of operations; but he found Sheridan ready for battle, and only waiting the proper moment to strike, so he wisely decided to leave him to his own judgment. At last Early unwisely divided his command, and his watchful antagonist attacked him, flanked him right and left, and broke his lines in every direction, and sent his defeated troops, as Sheridan said in his famous despatch, "whirling through Winchester," with a loss of 4500 men. "The results," said Grant, with his quiet humor, "were such that I have never since deemed it necessary to visit General Sheridan before giving him orders." He pur Sheridan was not content with a partial victory-he never was. BATTLE OF CEDAR CREEK. 337 sued Early for nearly thirty miles, and just when he thought himself safe and beyond reach, attacked him at once in front and on the flank, routed him completely, and captured 1100 prisoners and sixteen guns. Again he pursued his antagonist, and drove him completely out of the Valley and into the gaps of the Blue Ridge. Keep on," said Grant, "and your work will cause the fall of Richmond." This double victory had a startling effect both at the North and South. The Northern people were jubilant; the troops of Early were thoroughly beaten and disheartened. The mob in Richmond, disgusted at Early's repeated defeats, sarcastically labeled the fresh cannon destined for his use, 66 TO GENERAL SHERIDAN, Care of General Early. Sheridan, however, had so devastated the Valley that it would noɩ furnish him support, and he retired to Cedar Creek. From this point he was called to Washington for consultation; and while absent, the enemy attacked his forces in camp, drove them back in disorder, and captured eighteen guns and nearly a thousand prisoners. Sheridan, returning from Washington, stopped over night at Winchester. At nine o'clock in the morning, while riding forward to join his army, he heard the sound of heavy firing, and knew at once that a battle was in progress. Soon he began to meet fugitives from the scene of battle. He took in the situation at a glance, and rode forward at a gallop, swinging his hat, and shouting, "Face the other way, boys, face the other way. We're going back to lick them out of their boots!" His presence and words were electrical. The scattered soldiers faced about, and took up the general's cry, "Face the other way!" They followed him to the front, met the enemy's forces, and quickly brought them to a stand. As soon as it was known that Sheridan was again in command, it became impossible to rally the Confederate forces. A terror of the Union general had seized them. The captured guns were all retaken, and twenty-four pieces besides. Of the Confederates 1800 were killed and wounded and 1600 taken prisoners. Early himself escaped with difficulty. This famous battle, celebrated in song and story, was one of the most important successes in the campaign of 1864. During the winter Sheridan remained near Winchester, and early in 1865 joined the forces in front of Richmond. On the way he met Early at Waynesboro; and there he fought his final battle with the Confederate commander. His attack was impetuous and irresistible. The troops charged over the breast works and forced their way straight through Early's lines to the rear, where they turned and held the approach to the Shenandoah, with the Confederates surrounded front and rear. Early's entire force laid down their arms and surren dered. Sheridan had destroyed both Early's army and his reputation. Lee relieved him of all command, and he retired in disgrace. Proceeding on his way to Richmond, Sheridan destroyed forty-six canal locks, forty bridges, twenty-three railroad bridges, and forty-one miles of railroad, besides mills, warehouses, and stores, which would afford support to the enemy. On the 25th of March he joined Grant's forces on the James river, and took a most important part in the final campaign which ended in Lee's surrender. Lee evacuated Richmond, and was proceeding to the southwest, intending to join the army of Johnston in North Carolina. That this intention was frustrated is largely due to the skill and activity of Sheridan, who with his cavalry intercepted Lee's forces at Five Forks, cut off his supplies of food, and made it impossible to longer maintain the contest. On April 9th the great Confederate CUSTER'S ENTHUSIASM. 339 commander surrendered, and the important part which Sheridan took in the campaign passed into history. Sheridan was one of the most original and striking characters developed by the war. He was a tireless soldier, always on the alert, always eager for battle, and determined to win it. His enthusiasm and daring were infectious, and he was idolized by the men who served under him. After one of his victories, when the enemy was retreating, General Custer, then a young and romantic soldier, was so filled with admiration for his chief that he threw his arms around him and kissed him. Sheridan understood and appreciated the tribute; but he was anxious to start in pursuit of the enemy, "and Custer lost time, you know," he said," he lost time." Courage and dash always won Sheridan's heart. After a bold movement the words of praise came like a hot torrent from his lips, causing the cheek of their recipient to flush and glow. The influence of his personal presence was extraordinary. It was a grand sight to see him ride swiftly along the lines just before a charge, and raise the enthusiasm of the troops to fever heat. At the battle of Winchester, when the "old Sixth Corps" rode across the field in |