Philip Henry Sheridan – Lieutenant General, United States Army

Graduated from West Point in 1853, after having been a disciplinary problem there, and then spent his early career on the Western frontier.

When the Civil War began he was a little-known Infantry Lieutenant serving in Oregon. During the War, he served on the staff of General Halleck (Army Commanding General) and then took part in the campaign for Corinth, Mississippi. He was then promoted to Colonel and led a Cavalry Brigade.

He was promoted to Brigadier General, USA, in 1863, but suffered a defeat at Chickamauga. However, he recorded a major victory at Missionary Ridge and General U. S. Grant prompted him to Commander of Cavalry, Army of the Potomac. In 1864, he led the raid on Richmond, Virginia, which resulted in the death of Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart.

The poem, “Sheridan’s Ride” made famous his victory at Cedar Creek. He was present on April 1, 1865 when General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia. After the war, he was given commands in the Division of the Gulf, Division of Louisiana and the Department of Texas.

He was promoted to Lieutenant General in 1884, after the retirement of General William T. Sherman, and took command of the United States Army. In 1888, he was promoted to Full General while still on active duty. He finished writing his memoirs, “Personal Memoirs of P. H. Sheridan,” just before he died.

He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery just below Arlington House. His tomb cannot easily be seen from the walkway and only the word “SHERIDAN” appears on it.

Several of his family members, including his wife, Irene Rucker Sheridan, his son Philip Henry Sheridan, Jr., his daughters, Mary Sheridan, Louise Sheridan and Irene Sheridan as well as his brother Michael Vincent Sheridan are also buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

SHERIDAN, IRENE W/O PHILIP H

• DATE OF DEATH: 02/24/1938
• DATE OF INTERMENT: 02/26/1938
• BURIED AT: SECTION E.2  SITE S-1
• ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
• WIFE OF PH SHERIDAN COMM GEN

SHERIDAN, PHILIP H

• GEN US ARMY
• VETERAN SERVICE DATES: Unknown
• DATE OF DEATH: 08/05/1888
• DATE OF INTERMENT: Unknown
• BURIED AT: SECTION 2  SITE S-1
• ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

Michael Robert Patterson

Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.

Reviewed by: Michael Howard