General Phil Sheridan in 1280 Words

Ulysses S. Grant considered Phil Sheridan the greatest general in history. The best example of Sheridan’s exemplary ability was his success turning defeat into victory at the Battle of Cedar Creek during October 18, 1864. The battle took place in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. The Confederate Army under Jubal Early made a surprise pre-dawn flank attack on the Union line, and they also attacked some exposed Union positions. This attack caused most of the Union Army here to retreat in panic. Meanwhile, General Sheridan had just returned from a meeting in Washington DC and was asleep. When he was informed of the attack, he mounted his horse and personally rallied troops back to the front. He reorganized the defense until it was a solid line. The Confederates paused their attack to forage through captured supplies because they were starving. This gave Sheridan time to organize a counterattack (he was a very aggressive commander), and they drove the Confederates back past their starting…