SHERIDAN, PIIILIP HENRY, b. Ohio, 1833; graduated at the military academy at West Point in 1853, and, being assigned to the infantry, served on frontier duty in Texas for nearly two years, and in Oregon, 1855-61. At the commencement of the rebellion he was appointed quartermaster of the army of s.w. Missouri, and in April, 1862, chief quartermaster of the western department. In May, 1862, lie was appointed col. of the second Michigan volunteer cavalry; was commissioned brig.gen. of volunteers, July 1," 1862; and semi afterward was put in command of the 11th division of the army of the Ohio. Ile commanded a division in the army of the Cumberland, and at the battle of Stone river, Dec. 31, 1862, saved the army from being routed by his stubborn resistance, for which he was made maj.gen. of volunteers. In the march toward Chattanooga in 1863. lie was very active; and in the battle of Chickamauga, though swept off the field by the breaking °Nile lines, he recovered himself and returned with his own command and some other troops to support gen. Thomas. In April, 1864, be was called to the army of the Potomac by gen. Grunt. Ile'was given command of the cavalry corps, and during May, June, and July, besides protecting the flanks of the army and recon noitering the enemy's position, was successfully engaged in eighteen different actions. In Aug.. 1864, lie was placed in command of the army of the Shenandoah; and soon afterward of the middle military division, gaining several successes over gen. Early, for which lie was made a brig.gen. of the U.S. army, and in the following November
maj.gen. After completely crushing Early's army, he desolated the whole region along the banks of the James river, effectually cutting off all supplies for the confeder ate army from the north. lie then made a detour around Richmond, joined gen. Grant's army at City Point. whence lie started _afar. 23, 1805, to strike the final blow for the overthrow of gen. Lee's army of northern Virginia. Ile fought the battle of Dinwiddi• Court-House, Mar. 31; and that of Five-Forks, which compelled Lee to evacuate Rich mond and Petersburg, April 1. lie followed these victories by attacking and harassing the confederate troops during their flight, which led to the surrene.er of Lee at Appo mattox Court-House, April 9, 1S65. He was appointed to the command of the military division of the June 3, and of the military division of the Gulf, July 17; of the department of the Gulf. Aug. 15, 1866: of the fifth military district, including Louisiana and Texas, Mar. 11, 1867: and of the department of the Missouri, with headquarters at fort Leavenworth, Sept. 12. IIe was made licut.gen., Mar. 4, 1869, and given command of the division of the Missouri, including the departments of Dakota, of the Missouri, of the Platte, and of Texas, with headquarters at Chicago, which Mike lie holds at the present time. During the political disturbances in Louisiana in 1875, gen. Sheridan was ordered to New Orleans, and on quiet being restored returned to his command at Chicago.