PERSONAL MEMOIRS OF P. H. SHERIDAN The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Memoirs of General P. H. Sheridan, Complete, by General Philip Henry Sheridan This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Title: The Memoirs of General P. H. Sheridan, Complete Author: General Philip Henry Sheridan Release Date: August 16, 2006 [EBook #4362] Last Updated: July 18, 2014 Language: English *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MEMOIRS OF GENERAL SHERIDAN *** Produced by David Widger Format Choice The present format is best for most laptops and computers , and generates well to .mobi and .epub files. The higher quality images in this file do not reduce in size to fit the small screens of Tablets and Smart Phones—part of the larger images may run off the side. Two other formats are available by clicking on the following lines: 1. The original ebook which was split into several small files. 2. A file with images which automatically accomodate to any screen size; this is the best choice for the small screens of Tablets and Smart Phones PERSONAL MEMOIRS OF P. H. SHERIDAN CONTENTS CHAPTER I. Ancestry—Birth—Early Education—A Clerk in a Grocery Store—Appointment—Monroe Shoes—Journey to West Point—Hazing—A Fisticuff Battle Suspended —Returns to Clerkship—Graduation CHAPTER II. Ordered to Fort Duncan, Texas—"Northers"—Scouting Duty—Hunting—Nearly Caught by the Indians— A Primitive Habitation—A Brave Drummer Boy's Death —A Mexican Ball CHAPTER III. Ordered to Fort Reading, Cal.—A Dangerous Undertaking —A Rescued Soldier—Discovering Indians —Primitive Fishing—A Deserted Village —Camping Opposite Fort Vancouver CHAPTER IV. "Old Red"—Skillful Shooting—The Yalima War —A Ludicrous Mistake—Cut-mouth John's Encounter —Father Pandoza's Mission—A Snow-Storm —Failure of the Expedition CHAPTER V. An Indian Confederation—Massacre at the Cascades of the Columbia—Plan to Relieve the Block-House —A Hazardous Movement— A New Method of Establishing Guilt—Execution of the Indian Murderers CHAPTER VI. Misdirected Vengeance — Honorable Mention —A Change of Command—Educated Oxen—Feeding the Indians—Purchasing a Burying-Ground —Knowing Rats CHAPTER VII. Learning the Chinook Language—Strange Indian Customs —Their Doctors—Sam Patch—The Murder of a Woman —In a Tight Place—Surprising the Indians —Conflicting Reports of the Battle of Bull Run —Secession Question in California—Appointed a Captain—Transferred to the East CHAPTER VIII. Auditing Accounts—Chief Quartermaster and Commissary of the Army of Southwest Missouri—Preparing for the Pea Ridge Campaign—A Difference with General Curtis—Ordered to the Front—Appointed a Colonel CHAPTER IX. Expedition to Booneville—Destroying Supplies —Confederate Stragglers—Success of the Expedition —A Reconnoissance—The Importance of Bodily Sustenance—The Battle of Booneville—Recommended for Appointment as a Brigadier-General CHAPTER X. In Camp near Rienzi—General Granger—A Valuable Capture at Ripley—Raiding a Corn—Field—Repulsing an Attack—Presented with the Black Horse "Rienzi" —Meeting General Grant—Appointed a Brigadier-General CHAPTER XI. Good Advice from General Nelson—His Tragic Death —Putting Louisville in a State of Defense— Assigned to the Command of the Eleventh Division —Capture of Chaplin Heights—Battle of Perryville —Reported Among the Killed—A Thrilling Incident —General Buell Relieved by General Rosecrans CHAPTER XII. Moving to Bowling Green—James Card, the Scout and Guide—General Sill—Colonel Schaefer—Colonel G. W. Roberts—Movement on Murfreesboro' —Opening of the Battle of Stone River CHAPTER XIII. Assault on our Right Flank—Occupying a New Position —The Enemy Checked — Terrible Loss of Officers —Ammunition Gives Out—Reconstructing the Line —Collecting the Wounded and Burying the Dead —Dealing with Cowards—Results of the Victory CHAPTER XIV. Appointed a Major-General—The Secret Expedition under Card the Scout—His Capture by Guerrillas —Escape—A Revenge Party—Women Soldiers —A Fight with Sabres—Tullahoma Campaign —A Foolish Adventure CHAPTER XV. Ordered to Occupy Bridgeport—A Spy—The Battle of Chickamauga—General Thomas—Treated to Coffee —Results of the Battle CHAPTER XVI At Chattanooga—The Enemy Fortifies Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge—Reorganizing the Army —Removal of General Rosecrans—Punishment of Deserters—Grant at Chattanooga—The Fight on Lookout Mountain—A Brave Color-Bearer —Battle of Missionary Ridge CHAPTER XVII. Ordered to Return to Chattanooga—March to Knoxville —Collecting Subsistence Stores—A Clever Stratagem —A Bridge of Wagons—Looking Out for the Personal Comfort of the Soldiers—A Leave of Absence —Ordered to Washington—Parting with Sheridan's Division CHAPTER XVIII. At Washington—Meeting Secretary Stanton—Interview with President Lincoln—Made Commander of the Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac —Its Officers—General 'Meade's Method of Using Cavalry—Opening of the Campaign—Spottsylvania Court House—A Difference with General Meade —Preparing to Fight Stuart's Cavalry CHAPTER XIX. The Expedition Starts—Destroying Supplies—Opening of the Fight at Yellow Tavern—General Custer's Brilliant Charge—Death of General Stuart—Removing Torpedoes—Excitement in Richmond—A Night March —Enterprising Newsboys—The Effects of Stuart's Defeat and Death—End of the First Expedition —Its Great Success and Beneficial Results CHAPTER XX. General Wilson's Advance Toward Hanover Court House—Crossing the Pamunkey—Engagement of Hawe's Shop—Fight at Matadequin Creek—Capture of Cold Harbor—The Fight to Retain the Place—Movements of General Wilson CHAPTER XXI. The Movement to the James—The Second Expedition —Battle of Trevillian Station—Defeat of General Wade Hampton—Mallory's Crossroads—Suffering of the Wounded—Securing the Trains—General Gregg's Stubborn Fight CHAPTER XXII. General Wilson's Raid—Destroying Railroads —His Discomfiture—Results of his Raid—Remounts —Movement to the North Side of the James —Deceiving Lee—My Isolated Position—Estimate of Hancock—Success of the Cavalry—Their Constant Duties CHAPTER XXIII. General Hunter's Successful March and Subsequent Retreat—General Jubal A. Early Threatens Washington —Chambersburg, Pa., Burned—Selected to Operate Against General Early—The Shenandoah Valley —The Confederate Army CHAPTER XXIV. Moving on General Early—General Grant's Letter of Instructions—Destroying the Resources of the Valley —Reason for the Destruction—Withdrawal to Halltown —Alarm in the North over the Retrograde Movement —Renewing the Advance up the Valley—General Anderson's Attempt to Return to Petersburg —Strength of the Armies VOLUME II. CHAPTER I. Organizing Scouts—Miss Rebecca Wright—Important Information—Decides to Move on Newtown—Meeting General Grant—Organization of the Union Army —Opening of the Battle of the Opequon —Death of General Russell—A Turning Movement —A Successful Cavalry Charge—Victory—Three Loyal Girls—Appointed a Brigadier—General in the Regular Army—Remarks on the Battle CHAPTER II. Pursuing Early—A Secret March—Fisher's Hill —A Great Success—Removal of Averell—The Retreat —Capturing an Old Comrade—The Murder of Lieutenant Meigs CHAPTER III. Reasons for Not Pursuing Early Through the Blue Ridge —General Torbert Detailed to Give General Rosser a "Drubbing"—General Rosser Routed —Telegraphed to Meet Stanton—Longstreet's Message —Return to Winchester—The Ride to Cedar Creek —The Retreating Army—Rallying the Troops —Reforming the Line—Commencing the Attack—Defeat of the Confederates—Appointed a Major-General in the Regular Army—Results of the Battle CHAPTER IV. General Early Reorganizes His Forces—Mosby the Guerrilla—General Merritt sent to Operate Against Mosby—Rosser Again Active—General Custer Surprised—Colonel Young Sent to Capture Gilmore the Guerrilla—Colonel Young's Success —Capture of General Kelly and General Crook —Spies—Was Wilkes Booth a Spy—Driving the Confederates Out of the Valley—The Battle of Waynesboro'—Marching to join the Army of the Potomac CHAPTER V. Transferred to Petersburg—General Raw'ins's Cordial Welcome—General Grant's Orders and Plans—A Trip with Mr. Lincoln and General Grant—Meeting General Sherman—Opposed to Joining the Army of the Tennessee —Opening of the Appomattox Campaign—General Grant and General Rawlins CHAPTER VI. Battle of Dinwiddie Court House—Pickett Repulsed —Reinforced by the Fifth Corps—Battle of Five Forks—Turning the Confederate Left—An Unqualified Success—Relieving General Warren—The Warren Court of Inquiry—General Sherman's Opinion CHAPTER VII. Result of the Battle of Five Forks—Retreat of Lee —An Intercepted Despatch—At Amelia Court House —Battle of Sailor's Creek—The Confederates' Stubborn Resistance—A Complete Victory —Importance of the Battle CHAPTER VIII. Lincoln's Laconic Despatch—Capturing Lee's Supplies —Delighted Engineers—The Confederates' Last Effort—A Flag of Truce—General Geary's "Last Ditch" Absurdity—Meeting of Grant and Lee —The Surrender—Estimate of General Grant CHAPTER IX. Ordered to Greensboro', N. C.—March to the Dan River—Assigned to the Command West of the Mississippi—Leaving Washington—Flight of General Early—Maximilian—Making Demonstrations on the Upper Rio Grande—Confederates Join Maximilian—The French Invasion of Mexico, and its Relations to the Rebellion—Assisting the Liberals—Restoration of the Republic CHAPTER X. A. J. Hamilton Appointed Provisional Governor of Texas—Assembles a Constitutional Convention —The Texans Dissatisfied—Lawlessness—Oppressive Legislation—Ex-Confederates—Controlling Louisiana—A Constitutional Convention—The Meeting Suppressed—A Bloody Riot—My Reports of the Massacre—Portions Suppressed by President Johnson—Sustained by a Congressional Committee —The Reconstruction Laws CHAPTER XI. Passage of the Reconstruction Act Over the President's Veto—Placed in Command of the Fifth Military District—Removing Officers—My Reasons for Such Action—Affairs in Louisiana and Texas —Removal of Governor Wells—Revision of the jury Lists—Relieved from the Command of the Fifth Military District CHAPTER XII. At Fort Leavenworth—The Treaty of Medicine Lodge —Going to Fort Dodge—Discontented Indians —Indian Outrages—A Delegation of Chiefs—Terrible Indian Raid—Death of Comstock—Vast Herds of Buffalo—Preparing for a Winter Campaign—Meeting "Buffalo Bill"—He Undertakes a Dangerous Task —Forsyth's Gallant Fight—Rescued CHAPTER XIII. Fitting Out the Winter Expedition—Accompanying the Main Force—The Other Columns—Struck by a Blizzard —Custer's Fight on the Washita—Defeat and Death of Black Kettle—Massacre of Elliott's Party—Relief of Colonel Crawford CHAPTER XIV. A Winter Expedition—Herds of Buffalo—Wolves —Blizzards—A Terrible Night—Finding the Bodies of Elliott's Party—The Abandoned Indian Camps —Pushing Down the Washita—The Captured Chiefs —Evans's Successful Fight—Establishing Fort Sill —"California Joe"—Duplicity of the Cheyennes —Ordered to Repair to Washington CHAPTER XV. Inspecting Military Posts in Utah and Montana —Desire to Witness the Franco—German War —On a Sand-Bar in the Missouri—A Bear Hunt —An Indian Scare—Myriads of Mosquitoes—Permission Given to Visit Europe — Calling on President Grant —Sailing for Liverpool—Arrival in Berlin CHAPTER XVI. Leaving for the Seat of War—Meeting with Prince Bismarck—His Interest in Public Opinion in America —His Inclinations in Early Life—Presented to the King —The Battle of Gravelotte—The German Plan—Its Final Success—Sending News of the Victory—Mistaken for a Frenchman CHAPTER XVII. Searching for Quarters—Hunting up Provisions —A Slender Breakfast—Going over the Battle-Field —The German Artillery—A Group of Wounded —Dining With the King—On the March—The Bavarians —Kirschwasser—Urging on the Troops CHAPTER XVIII. After McMahon—The Battle of Beaumont—The French Surprised—The Marching of the German Soldiers —The Battle of Sedan—Gallant Cavalry Charges —Defeat of the French—The Surrender of Napoleon —Bismarck and the King—Decorating the Soldiers CHAPTER XIX. Riding Over the Battle—Field—Destruction of Bazeilles—Mistakes of the French—Marshal Bazaine —On to Paris—A Week in Meaux—Rheims—On the Picket-Line—Under Fire—A Surrender—At Versailles —General Burnside and Mr. Forbes in Paris —Brussels—Deciding to Visit Eastern Europe—Austria —Down the Danube—In Constantinople—The Ladies of the Harem—The Sultan—Turkish Soldiers —A Banquet—A Visit in Athens—King George of Greece—Victor—Emmanuel—Bedeviled with Cares of State—Deer Shooting—A Military Dinner—Return to Versailles—Germans Entering Paris—Criticism on the Franco-Prussian War—Conclusion CHAPTER XX. Brussels—Deciding to Visit Eastern Europe—Austria —Down the Danube—In Constantinople—The Ladies of the Harem—the Sultan—Turkish Soldiers—A Banquet —A Visit in Athens—King George of Greece—Victor Emmanuel—"Bedeviled with Cares of State"—Deer Shooting —A Military Dinner—Return to Versailles—Germans Entering Paris—Criticism on The Franco-Prussian War —Conclusion ILLUSTRATIONS Steel Portrait—General P. H. Sheridan Lieutenant Williamson's Trail from Fort Reading, Cal., to Fort Vancouver Lieutenant Sheridan's Fight at the Cascades of the Columbia in 1856 General Sheridan's War Horse "Rienzi" Northeastern Mississippi Battle of Booneville Map Showing the Field of Operations of the Army of the Cumberland in 1862 and 1863 Battle—field of Stone River Positions of General Sheridan's Division in the Battle of Chickamauga Portrait of General D. McM. Gregg Portrait of General A. T. A. Torbert Portrait of General Wesley Merritt Portrait of General George A. Custer Portrait of General Sheridan During the War Portrait of General James H. Wilson Positions of General Sheridan's Division prior to the Attack on Missionary Ridge First Expedition—The Richmond Raid Second Expedition—The Trevillian Raid Third Expedition—Raid to Roanoke Station General Map, Embracing all the Expeditions Map of the Shenandoah Valley Portrait of Miss Rebecca M. Wright Fac-simile Letter from Abraham Lincoln, Sept. 20, 1864 Fac-simile Letter from Abraham Lincoln, Oct. 22, 1864 Portrait of General William H. Emory Portrait of General George Crook General Sheridan and Staff. Dinwiddie Court House Battle-field of Fisher's Hill Battle-field of Cedar Creek Fourth Expedition—Merritt's Raid to Loudoun Fifth Expedition—Torbert's Raid to Gordonsville Battle-field of Waynesboro Sixth Expedition—Winchester to Petersburg Belle-Grove House. General Sheridan's Headquarters at Cedar Creek Portrait of General Horatio G. Wright Battle-field of Dinwiddie Court House Battle-field of Five Forks Battle-field of Sailor's Creek Seventh Expedition—The Appomattox Campaign Eighth Expedition—To the Dan River and Return Indian Campaign of 1868—1869 Map Showing Parts of France, Belgium, and Germany