PHILIP HENRY SHERIDAN 359 mission as second lieutenant of the Fourth Infantry. With the latter regiment he served during the next six years in Washington Territory and Oregon. In the attack upon the Indians at the Cascades, Washington Territory, in April, 1856, the United States troops landed under fire, and routed and dispersed the enemy at every point. General Scott, drew special attention to Sheri- dan's bravery on this occasion. But it was the great Civil War which de- veloped Sheridan's talents, as in the case of many other distinguished officers, and made promotion rapid. The resignation of com- manders with Southern sympathies and the creation of new regiments secured Sheridan a first lieutenancy in the Fourth Infantry in March, 1861, and a captaincy in the Thirteenth Infantry in the following May. Yet that mem- orable year in the history of the United States " brought him little employment and no laurels." After various minor services he was commis- sioned as colonel of the Second Michigan Cavalry on May 25, 1862. He at once engaged with the regiment in Elliot's raid against the railroad, which was de- stroyed at Booneville. During the month of June he commanded the Second Cavalry Brigade in several skirmishes, and on July ist gained a brilliant victory at Booneville over a superior cavalry force. His appointment as brigadier-general of volunteers dated from this action. In the autumn of 1862 Sheridan received the command of the Eleventh Division of the Army of the Ohio, under General Buell. Moving out of Louisville with Buell, against Bragg, he took part, on October 8th, in the stoutly contested battle of Perryville, where he manoeuvred his division with conspicuous skill and effect, holding the key of the Northern position, and using the point to its utmost advantage. At the famous battle of Murfreesboro, which was one of the bloodiest and most prolonged of the campaign, Sheridan held the key-point for several hours in the first day's fighting, " displaying superb tactical skill and the greatest gal- lantry." After repulsing four desperate assaults his ammunition unfortunately gave out. He then ordered a bayonet charge and withdrew his lines from the field ; but by his obstinate resistance invaluable time had been gained by his chief. General Rosecrans, to make new dispositions. Sheridan's commission as major-general followed upon these services. From this time little of interest occurred until September 19 and 20, 1863, when Sheridan again distinguished himself at the battle of Chickamauga, rescuing his division from a perilous position. General Thomas was transferred to the command of Rosecrans' be- sieged army at Chattanooga, and thither General Grant arrived with reinforce- ments from Vicksburg. Grant was determined to dislodge the Southern com- mander, Bragg, who was posted on Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge.
