Philip Henry Sheridan (March 6, 1831 – August 5, 1888) was one of the Union’s greatest heroes during the Civil War, earning lasting fame for his work in both the West and the East. One of General Grant’s closest and most trusted generals, Sheridan led the cavalry corps in the East from 1864 to the end of the war, burning the Shenandoah Valley, keeping Jeb Stuart’s cavalry at bay during the Overland campaign (and mortally wounding Stuart at Yellow Tavern). Sheridan also pierced the Army of Northern Virginia’s line during the siege of Petersburg, defeating George Pickett at the Battle of Five Forks and leading to the capitulation of Richmond and Petersburg on April 2, 1865. Lee would surrender on April 9, thanks in no small part to Sheridan’s pursuit of his retreating army.
But Sheridan was far from done with his military career. He became one of the instrumental figures in the Indian Wars on the Great Plains, effectively subjugating the natives as the United States pressed westward. Historians today criticize his brutal treatment of the natives. He also served as an observer during the Franco-Prussian War over in Europe, and he covers all of these events in his memoirs.
Sheridan died in 1888 from heart failure, only months after he had finished his memoirs. In this edition of Sheridan’s memoirs, Charles River Editors has included over a dozen images and maps to go along with both volumes, as well as some original commentary on Sheridan's life and battles.
