CHAPTER XIII.

PHILIP H. SHERIDAN.

Sheridan a Full-Blooded Irishman-The Runaway Horse-Constitutional Fearlessness-Sheridan Goes to West Point-Sheridan's Apprenticeship to WarThe Fight with the Apaches at Fort Duncan-He is Transferred to OregonCommands at Fort Yamhill in the Yokima Reservation-The Quarrel among the Yokimas-Sheridan Popular with Indians-He thinks he has a Chance to be Major Some Day-Sheridan's Shyness with Ladies-He Employs a Substi tute in Waiting on a Lady-Sheridan's Kindness and Efficiency in Office Work -He Becomes a Colonel of Cavalry-His Shrewd Defeat of Gen. ChalmersBecomes Brigadier-The Kentucky Campaign against Bragg-Sheridan Saves the Battle of Perrysville-Saves the Battle of Murfreesboro-Gen. Rousseau on Sheridan's Fighting-Sheridan at Missionary Ridge-Joins Grant as Chief of Cavalry-His Raids around Lee-His Campaign in the Valley of VirginiaHe Moves across and Joins in the Final Operations-His Administration at New Orleans-Grant's Opinion of Sheridan.

MAJOR-GENERAL PHILIP HENRY SHERIDAN is a fullblooded Irishman by descent, though American by birth. He was born in poverty. So large a share of American eminent men have been born poor, that it might almost be said that in our country poverty in youth is the first requisite for success in life.

Sheridan's parents, after remaining a few years at the east, moved to Ohio, where their son grew up with very little schooling, and under the useful necessity of working for a living. There is a story current of his having been put upon a spirited horse when a boy of five, by some mischievous mates, and run away with to a tavern some miles off. He stuck fast to the horse, though without saddle or bridle, and without size or strength to use them if he had them. It was

by a mere chance that he arrived safe, and when lifted off by the sympathizing family of the inn, the little fellow admitted that he was shaken and sore with his ride, but he added, "I'll be better to-morrow, and then I'll ride back home." The incident is of no great importance in itself, but it shows that even then the boy was already constitutionally destitute of fear. He seems to have been made without the peculiar faculty which makes people take danger into the account, and try to keep at a distance from it. The full possession of this deficiency (if the phrase is not too direct a contradiction in terms,) is quite uncommon. Admiral

Nelson had it, as was shown, very much in Sheridan's own style, in his boyhood. The future victor of Traf algar had strayed away from home, and got lost. When he had been found and taken home, a relative remarked, "I should have thought that fear would have kept you from going so far away.' "Fear?" said the young gentleman quite innocently; "Fear? I don't know him!" He never afterwards made his acquaintance, either; nor, it would seem, has Sheri

dan.

When young Sheridan received his appointment to a cadetship at West Point, he was driving a water-cart in Zanesville, Ohio. The person who actually procured the appointment was Gen. Thomas P. Ritchey, member of Congress from Sheridan's district. The candidate was very young for the appointment, and very small of his age, insomuch that his friends considered it extremely doubtful whether he would be admitted. He was, however, and passed through the regular West Point course, in the same class with Gen

He

by a mere chance that he arrived safe, and when lifted off by the sympathizing family of the inn, the little fellow admitted that he was shaken and sore with his ride, but he added, "I'll be better to-morrow, and then I'll ride back home." The incident is of no great importance in itself, but it shows that even then the boy was already constitutionally destitute of fear. He seems to have been made without the peculiar faculty which makes people take danger into the account, and try to keep at a distance from it. The full possession of this deficiency (if the phrase is not too direct a contradiction in terms,) is quite uncommon. Admiral Nelson had it, as was shown, very much in Sheridan's own style, in his boyhood. The future victor of Traf

home, and got lost.

algar had strayed away from When he had been found and taken home, a relative remarked, "I should have thought that fear would have kept you from going so far away. "Fear?" said the young gentleman quite innocently; "Fear? I don't know him!" He never afterwards made his acquaintance, either; nor, it would seem, has Sheridan.

The

When young Sheridan received his appointment to a cadetship at West Point, he was driving a water-cart in Zanesville, Ohio. The person who actually procured the appointment was Gen. Thomas P. Ritchey, member of Congress from Sheridan's district. candidate was very young for the appointment, and very small of his age, insomuch that his friends considered it extremely doubtful whether he would be admitted. He was, however, and passed through the regular West Point course, in the same class with Gen