General Philip H. Sheridan – Civil War Hero & Ruthless Tyrant
Lieutenant General Philip H. Sheridan
General Philip Sheridan, a figure etched in the annals of American history, remains a subject of considerable debate. Lauded as a brilliant military strategist during the Civil War, he is simultaneously condemned for his harsh tactics during Reconstruction and the Indian Wars. This duality makes him a fascinating, if controversial, figure, embodying both the valor and the brutality of his time. His name, General Philip H. Sheridan, evokes images of daring cavalry charges and decisive victories, yet it also carries the weight of policies that inflicted suffering on civilian populations. Perhaps one of the most controversial aspects of his legacy is his infamous quote, often cited as, "The only good Indian is a dead Indian," a sentiment that encapsulates the brutal realities of westward expansion and the displacement of Native American tribes.
Philip Henry Sheridan was a career United States Army officer who distinguished himself as a Union general during the Civil War. Born on March 6, 1831, in Albany, New York, to Irish immigrant parents, John and Mary Meenagh Sheridan, he was the third of six children. The family later relocated to Ohio, where young Philip worked in a general store, a seemingly unremarkable beginning for a man who would rise to such prominence. His path to military service began in 1848 when he secured an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point.
At West Point, General Philip H. Sheridan earned the nickname "Little Phil" due to his diminutive stature, standing at just 5 feet 4 inches. His academic performance was less than stellar; he struggled with mathematics, and his overall attitude was considered poor. He even faced suspension for fighting. Despite these challenges, he persevered and graduated in 1853, receiving a commission as a brevet second lieutenant. His initial assignment was with the 1st U.S. Infantry at Fort Duncan, Texas, a remote outpost on the edge of the expanding frontier.
The years leading up to the Civil War saw Sheridan serving at various posts in the West, gaining valuable experience in frontier warfare. He received a promotion to first lieutenant in March 1861, just as the nation teetered on the brink of civil war. His ascent through the ranks was swift, and in May 1861, shortly after the war commenced, he was promoted to captain. This marked the beginning of his rapid rise to military fame.
The Civil War provided Sheridan with the opportunity to demonstrate his military capabilities. He participated in several key battles, primarily in the Western Theater, where he quickly earned a reputation for his aggressive leadership and tactical acumen. His successes caught the attention of Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant, who recognized Sheridan’s potential and transferred him to the Eastern Theater to lead the Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac. This pivotal move would significantly impact the course of the war.
In 1864, General Philip H. Sheridan was tasked with clearing the Shenandoah Valley of Confederate forces. The Valley, a vital agricultural region for the Confederacy, served as a crucial supply line and a strategic corridor for Confederate raids into the North. Sheridan’s campaign was characterized by a relentless pursuit of the enemy and a willingness to employ harsh tactics. His forces systematically destroyed the economic infrastructure of the Valley, a strategy known as "The Burning" by the local residents. This scorched-earth policy, one of the first large-scale uses of such tactics in the war, aimed to cripple the Confederacy’s ability to sustain its war effort. While effective, it also resulted in widespread destruction and hardship for the civilian population.
The following year, in 1865, Sheridan’s cavalry played a crucial role in the pursuit of General Robert E. Lee and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. His relentless pressure and strategic maneuvers were instrumental in forcing Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Court House, effectively ending the Civil War. Sheridan’s contributions to the Union victory were undeniable, solidifying his reputation as a brilliant and decisive military leader.
Following the Civil War, Grant, now the General of the Army, appointed General Philip H. Sheridan commander of the Military District of the Southwest. This region, comprising Texas and Louisiana, was under military occupation as part of the Reconstruction efforts. Sheridan’s tenure in this role was marked by a strict and uncompromising approach to enforcing federal authority. He viewed the Southern aristocracy as unrepentant and actively worked to protect the rights of newly freed slaves. His policies, while aimed at ensuring equality and justice, were perceived by many white Southerners as oppressive and tyrannical. President Andrew Johnson, a Southern sympathizer, famously labeled Sheridan an "absolute tyrant," reflecting the deep resentment his actions engendered. Eventually, Johnson relieved Sheridan of his command, transferring him to the West to deal with the escalating conflicts with Native American tribes.
Sheridan’s involvement in the Indian Wars of the West is perhaps the most controversial chapter of his career. He soon launched an unexpected winter campaign, which resulted in temporary peace with the Comanche, Cheyenne, and Kiowa tribes. In 1869, he was given command of the Division of the Missouri, which encompassed the entire Plains region. He directed large-scale military campaigns against the Southern Plains tribes and the Sioux, employing tactics similar to those he had used in the Shenandoah Valley.
Sheridan believed that the key to subduing the Plains Indians was to strike directly at their material basis of existence. He understood that their nomadic lifestyle depended on the buffalo and that disrupting their winter encampments would cripple their ability to sustain themselves. He was willing to accept high casualties among non-combatants, believing that the ends justified the means. His infamous statement, "If a village is attacked and women and children killed, the responsibility is not with the soldiers but with the people whose crimes necessitated the attack," reflects the prevailing attitude of the time, which viewed Native Americans as obstacles to westward expansion and justified the use of extreme measures to subdue them. This perspective, however, is widely condemned today as racist and inhumane.
Due to his actions during the Indian Wars, Sheridan’s reputation suffered, particularly among historians who viewed his policies as brutal and unjust. His legacy remains tarnished by the association with the forced displacement and suffering of Native American populations. While some argue that he was simply a product of his time, carrying out the policies of the government, others maintain that he bears a significant responsibility for the injustices inflicted upon Native American tribes.
Despite the controversies surrounding his actions in the West, Sheridan continued to rise through the ranks of the U.S. Army. In 1883, he was appointed commander-in-chief of the army, succeeding General William Sherman. Like Sherman, he believed in maintaining military control over Indian reservations and advocated for punishing Native Americans for any perceived misdeeds. His earlier infamous quote, "The only good Indian is a dead Indian," continued to haunt his legacy, further solidifying his image as a ruthless and uncompromising figure.
Beyond his military career, Sheridan also played a significant role in the development and protection of Yellowstone National Park. As a soldier and private citizen, he recognized the importance of preserving this natural wonder for future generations. In 1883, Sheridan was appointed general-in-chief of the U.S. Army, and in 1888, he was promoted to the rank of General during President Grover Cleveland’s term, a testament to his distinguished military service.
Major General General Philip H. Sheridan died on August 5, 1888, of heart disease. His death marked the end of a remarkable and controversial career. While celebrated as a Civil War hero, his legacy is forever intertwined with the harsh realities of Reconstruction and the Indian Wars. He remains a complex and enigmatic figure, embodying both the triumphs and the tragedies of American history. His name serves as a reminder of the difficult choices and the moral ambiguities that often accompany military leadership, particularly during times of conflict and social upheaval.
