Philip Henry Sheridan
- Born:
- March 6, 1831, Albany, New York
- Died:
- August 5, 1888, Nonquitt, Massachusetts
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- United States Army Officer
Early Life and Education
- Born to Irish immigrant parents, John and Mary Meenagh Sheridan.
- Grew up in Somerset, Ohio.
- Appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1848.
- Graduated from West Point in 1853, ranked 34th in a class of 52.
Career and Major Achievements
- Served in the U.S. Army in the Pacific Northwest prior to the Civil War.
- Rose rapidly in rank during the American Civil War.
- Appointed Colonel of the 2nd Michigan Cavalry in 1862.
- Served as a division commander in the Army of the Ohio.
- Led a division at the Battle of Stones River.
- Commanded the Union cavalry in the Army of the Potomac.
- Played a crucial role in the Shenandoah Valley Campaign (1864).
- Destroyed Confederate infrastructure and resources in the Shenandoah Valley.
- Appointed Lieutenant General in 1864.
- Played a significant role in the final stages of the Civil War, contributing to the surrender of Robert E. Lee at Appomattox Court House.
- Served as Military Governor of Louisiana and Texas during Reconstruction.
- Played a key role in the Indian Wars, implementing controversial policies against Native American tribes.
- Became Commanding General of the United States Army in 1883.
- Promoted to General of the Army in 1888.
Legacy and Impact
Philip Henry Sheridan, as this biography of the united states+general sheridan+biography shows, was a significant figure in American military history. His leadership during the Civil War and his role in shaping the post-war American West left a lasting, though often controversial, mark on the nation.
Notable Works
- Personal Memoirs of P. H. Sheridan, General, United States Army (Published posthumously in 1888).