Philip Sheridan

Philip Sheridan
Sheridan during the 1860s
Commanding General of the U.S. Army
In office November 1, 1883 – August 5, 1888
President	Chester A. Arthur Grover Cleveland
Preceded by	William Tecumseh Sherman
Succeeded by	John Schofield
Personal details
Born	Philip Henry Sheridan (1831-03-06)March 6, 1831 Albany, New York, U.S.
Died	August 5, 1888(1888-08-05) (aged 57) Nonquitt, Massachusetts, U.S.
Children	4
Alma mater	United States Military Academy
Signature
Nickname(s)	"Little Phil" "Fightin' Phil"
Military service
Allegiance	United States (Union)
Branch/service	U.S. Army (Union Army)
Years of service	1853–1888
Rank	General of the Army
Commands	Cavalry Corps Army of the Shenandoah Middle Military Division Department of the Missouri
Battles/wars	American Civil War Battle of Perryville Battle of Stones River Battle of Chickamauga Chattanooga Campaign Overland Campaign Battle of Yellow Tavern Battle of Trevilian Station Valley Campaigns of 1864 Third Battle of Winchester Battle of Fisher's Hill Battle of Cedar Creek Appomattox Campaign Indian Wars

Philip Henry Sheridan (March 6, 1831^[1][a] – August 5, 1888) was a career United States Army officer and a Union general in the American Civil War. His career was noted for his rapid rise to major general and his close association with General-in-chief Ulysses S. Grant, who transferred Sheridan from command of an infantry division in the Western Theater to lead the Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac in the East. In 1864, he defeated Confederate forces under General Jubal Early in the Shenandoah Valley and his destruction of the economic infrastructure of the Valley, called "The Burning" by residents, was one of the first uses of scorched-earth tactics in the war. In 1865, his cavalry pursued Gen. Robert E. Lee and was instrumental in forcing his surrender at Appomattox Courthouse.

Sheridan waged war on the Native Americans during the Indian Wars of the Great Plains. He was instrumental in the development and protection of Yellowstone National Park, both as a soldier and a private citizen. In 1883, Sheridan was appointed general-in-chief of the U.S. Army, and in 1888 he was promoted to the rank of General of the Army during the term of President Grover Cleveland.

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