The Personal Memoirs of P. H. Sheridan

By Philip Henry Sheridan and Sheridan P H

Book Overview

General Philip Henry Sheridan (1831-1888) was the most important Union cavalry commander of the Civil War, and ranks as one of America's greatest horse soldiers. From Corinth through Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge, he made himself a reputation for courage and efficiency; after his defeat of J.E.B. Stuart's rebel cavalry, Grant named him commander of the Union forces in the Shenandoah Valley. There he laid waste to the entire region, and his victory over Jubal Early's troops in the Battle of Cedar Creek brought him worldwide renown and a promotion to major general in the regular army. It was Sheridan who cut off Lee's retreat at Appomattox, thus securing the surrender of the Confederate Army. Subsequent to the Civil War, Sheridan was active in the 1868 war with the Comanches and Cheyennes, where he won infamy with his statement that the only good Indians I ever saw were dead. In 1888 he published his Personal Memoirs of P. H. Sheridan, one of the best first-hand accounts of the Civil War and the Indian wars which followed.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0306804875
• ISBN13: 9780306804878
• Release Date: August 1992
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• Length: 536 Pages
• Weight: 1.68 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.9" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Well written and highly informative

General Philip Sheridan (1831-88) is widely remembered as one of the leading Union generals of the American Civil War. In this highly readable memoir, General Sheridan recounts his experiences during the Civil War, from his early days in the commissariat, to his rise in rank, to his smashing victories at Chattanooga, the Shenandoah Valley and the Battle of Five Forks, to the final surrender of Robert E. Lee at Appomattox Courthouse.Although this book is almost entirely lacking in pictures (the 1991 paperback version, anyway), and has few maps, the book is well written and highly informative. Unlike several military memoirs I have read, General Sheridan was obviously very articulate, and his memoirs are quite enjoyable to read. The General not only covers the well-known experiences of his career, but also gives you many details that are unavailable in a normal history book. I highly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to you.