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,
