. The great American book of biography . iii^S^- ^ victory of the Union armies in the civil war was moreinspiring than that won by General Sheridan at Win-chester, in October, 1864, — and inspiring victorieswere at tliat time very much needed. An account ofthat battle is also a picture of Sheridans character,for it was the simple force of his presence and per-sonality which transformed demoralized fugitives intodetermined fighters, each feeling as though twere heOn whose sole arm hung victory. Sheridan was a poor Irish lad, born in Somerset, Ohio, in1831. He managed to get from the Congressman
. The great American book of biography . iii^S^- ^ victory of the Union armies in the civil war was moreinspiring than that won by General Sheridan at Win-chester, in October, 1864, — and inspiring victorieswere at tliat time very much needed. An account ofthat battle is also a picture of Sheridans character,for it was the simple force of his presence and per-sonality which transformed demoralized fugitives intodetermined fighters, each feeling as though twere heOn whose sole arm hung victory. Sheridan was a poor Irish lad, born in Somerset, Ohio, in1831. He managed to get from the Congressman of hisdistrict an appointment to West Point, where his hot temper was perpetuallyintroducing premature war. He barely succeeded in graduating in 1853. Inthe early part of the civil war he was in Missouri, and he distinguished himself atthe battles of Murfreesboro and Chickamauga. But it was in the latter partof the war that he won his highest fame. One of the most glorious victories of the war was won by Grants armies 20 -? -»c 000. 336 PHILIP H. SHERIDAN. at the battle of Chattanooga, when the Union troops stormed the heights ofLookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. Sheridan was in command of one ofthe four divisions. Emerging from the timber in which the lines were formed,the troops charged at double-quick across an open plain, against the first lineof rifle-pits, at the foot of the ridge. The Confederates were driven out of theworks, some killed, and many captured. The Union troops did not stop forfurther orders, but rushed on up the ascent, against the second line, half-way tothe summit. At this moment a messenger came from Grant with word that only the firstline of works was to be attacked. But it was too late ; already the men werepressing on up the hill in the face of a storm of bullets. To order them backwas out of the question. They rushed on with a cheer, carried the second lineof rifle-pits, and met the enemy in a desperate hand-to-hand fight on the Co
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