10 Facts About Phil Sheridan-- Part 2: A Short Man and a Key General

**  2.  HE WAS SHORT

Sheridan stood just 5 feet 5 inches and was called "Little Phil"

His diminutive height caused President Lincoln once to remark:  "General Sheridan, when this particular war began I thought a cavalryman should be at least six feet four inches high, but I have changed my mind.  Five feet four will do in a pinch."

*********************************

**  3.  HE WAS A KEY GENERAL IN THE CIVIL WAR

He started his military career in the Pacific Northwest and at the start of the Civil War was not an important Union officer.  He worked his way up, eventually becoming a cavalry commander and a key subordinate of U.S. Grant.

At Grant's orders, he used a scorched earth policy against the Confederate Army in the Shenandoah Valley to destroy the base of support.  Then, he made that ride from Winchester, Va., to rally his troops at The Battle of cedar Creek.

It was the troops of Sheridan that pursued and eventually brought Lee to surrender at Appomattox.

--Old Secesh