Terrible Swift Sword: The Life of General Philip H. Sheridan

by Joseph Wheelan

Alongside Ulysses S. Grant and William Tecumseh Sherman, Philip H. Sheridan is the least known of the triumvirate of generals most responsible for winning the Civil War. Yet, before Sherman’s famous march through Georgia, it was General Sheridan who introduced scorched-earth warfare to the South, and it was his Cavalry Corps that compelled Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Courthouse. Sheridan’s innovative cavalry tactics and “total war” strategy became staples of twentieth-century warfare. After the war, Sheridan ruthlessly suppressed the raiding Plains Indians much as he had the Confederates, by killing warriors and burning villages, but he also defended reservation Indians from corrupt agents and contractors. Sheridan, an enthusiastic hunter and conservationist, later ordered the US cavalry to occupy and operate Yellowstone National Park to safeguard it from commercial exploitation.  

Genres: Civil War, Biography, History, American Civil War, Nonfiction, American, Military History

432 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Alan Tomkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily one of the finest biographies and Civil War histories I have ever read. A very exciting read about the career of one of America's best generals. Sheridan was brilliant and ruthless on the field of battle, and Joseph Wheelan gives him fair and balanced treatment in this fascinating recounting of his life and exploits. Wheelan is a fantastic writer and story teller, as well as a thoroughly competent historian, making this book a pleasure to read. I gained new insight, understanding, and appreciation of the battles at Stones River, Missionary Ridge, Yellow Tavern, Cedar Creek, and Five Forks. And Sheridan's role in stopping Lee at Appomattox and forcing his surrender cannot be overstated. His strategy of total war, practiced so effectively against the Confederacy, was equally effective in finally ending the Indian wars, but very troubling and disconcerting in that particular context. An interesting surprise was the revelation that towards the end of his career, Sheridan was an ardent conservationist, largely responsible for making Yellowstone the world's first national park, administering it, and protecting it from developers and poachers. If you enjoy reading quality histories of the Civil War and the subsequent Indian wars and settlement of the American West, then read this book. I give it my highest recommendation.

[Steven Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

General Phil Sheridan was a major figure in the Civil War and continued a visible military career thereafter. Part of his military record is controversial--his total war strategy against Confederate territory in the Shenandoah Valley and against Plains Indians later on. The book does a solid job in exploring these issues.

The biography itself takes a chronological approach, from cradle to grave. Was Sheridan born in the US or Ireland? A question about his very origins. The book describes his rag tag career at West Point, his service in the Army before the Civil War (unlike many other West Point officers fighting in the Civil War, he did not leave the Army). His career in the Civil War began with him more often at a desk than on the battlefield. However, he finally got his chance and slowly developed a reputation as a hard fighter and someone who could inspire his troops.

At Stone's River (or Murfreesboro), he performed well. At Chickamauga, his division got caught up in the collapse of the Union position. Then, at Chattanooga, his troops were central in the attack on Missionary Ridge and he attempted a hot pursuit of Confederate forces after their retreat began.

Shortly thereafter, upon Ulysses Grant being named Lieutenant General, he was called to the Eastern Theater to take over the Army of the Potomac's cavalry forces. And, boy, did he transform them! The book does a fine job describing his approach to cavalry and to mixed arms forces (cavalry, infantry, and artillery).

After the Civil War, Sheridan continued his career as an enforcer of Reconstruction and as a key figure in the war against the native Americans in the West. The book notes his nuanced perspective on the Indian nations (more subtle than his often attribited phrase--"The only good Indian is a dead one").

All in all, a fine biography of a key figure in the United States' military history.

[John A. Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding

I have always considered myself a student of the Civil War. I have read volumes on Battles, Biographies, Autobiographies and Individual Diaries. Philip Sheridan has been covered or at least mentioned in many if not all. For some reason I never read anything that concentrated on Sheridan, my sad mistake.
Phil Sheridan, is one of the most dedicated and visionary leaders on either side of the war. He never lost a battle and always led from the front. Sheridan lived and fought with his men, sharing their hardships and their good times. Sheridan was always honest and direct which was his best and worst features.
With Lincoln, Grant and Sherman, he started the concept of all out war which at first seems quite contrary to our principles. Winning the war without consideration of the costs to the populace certainly does not sit well with our current values but looking at our current and recent past wars one has to decide whether we are after the minds and hearts of the country we are trying to save/convert. After reading this book, I truly am not sure. Perhaps, if we feel we should interfere with the affairs of a nation, we should then seriously consider all out war despite the effects on the civilian population- maybe that will keep us out of the messes like the ones we are currently in.
Obviously, this book inspired me to a difficult thought process. I gave the book 5 stars because it is not only a great study of marvel of his age but also inspiring.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best summary of the life of General Sheridan that emerges from the pages of Wheelan's fascinating biography is Sheridan's own reaction to the news of Lee's surrender at Appomattox: "Damn them. I wish they had held out an hour longer and I would have whipped hell out of them." Of the great triumvirate of Union generals--Grant, Sherman and Sheridan--I daresay Sheridan is, in our times, the least known and least appreciated of the three. This biography will help cure that deficiency. As Wheelan's book shows, it was Sheridan's stunning victories on the Virginia battlefield that led to the surrender at Appomattox as much as it was Grant's dogged determination in seizing Petersburg and Richmond or Sherman's march to the sea. In less than 18 months, Sheridan's charisma, pugnacity, strategy and innovative cavalry tactics in the Shenandoah Valley led to the elimination of Jeb Stuart's calvary, the destruction of Jubal Early's army and the entrapment of Lee's fleeing army before they could reach refuge in Lynchburg. Of course, as we all know by now, no hero is without some clay on his feet and Sheridan is no exception. His pursuit of "total war" in the Shenandoah Valley and later against the Native Americans of the Western Plains raises grave moral concerns that even the passing of many generations cannot resolve. As Sheridan once described his outlook on war: "The people must be left nothing but their eyes to weep with after the war." Yet, in his later years, Sheridan hoped for the day when "war would eliminate itself" and diplomacy "will rule the world." As events in Ukraine and elsewhere around the world prove, his hope has yet to be fulfilled.

[Jeffrey Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having recently finished W.T. Sherman's autobiography, one can only image the additional background details that could have been gleaned about Sheridan had his private papers not been incinerated in The Great Chicago Fire. I liked the author's insights regarding Sheridan's upbringing and later family life. Interesting that an Ohio boy would be leading a "Wolverine" regiment through Mississippi, but it's what stated him on his meteoric rise through the ranks. I also liked the recounting, however brief, of this pre-Civil War days in Oregon, at Fort Yamhill, near where I used to live, and where the town of Sheridan still annually celebrates "Phil Sheridan Days." The author also mentions his purchase of land in Polk Co., Oregon, but digging a little deeper, it turns out that he and his partner were probably the first to establish irrigation in the Willamette Valley. He also got involved with a local Indian maiden, who actually visited his family in D.C. in the 1870's. Of course the recounting of his Civil War glories, his reconstruction battles, and Indian War pluses/minuses make for fascinating reading, and Wheelan does a masterful job with them. I wasn't aware of his major involvement with Yellowstone, and his later emphasis on conservation, which is to be applauded, as well as his "turnabout" as to the plight of Native Americans. He was truly a man who helped make America in the days of Manifest Destiny, mostly for the good.

[Sully Augustine · Rating 4 out of 5]

library hardbound - An engaging introduction to a more than merely surprising military career. Sheridan's name was, of course, well known to me, but I had only a vague sense of why he was important enough to count as one of the three key leaders, with Grant and Sherman, who finally defeated the Confederacy after three years of back-and-forth battles. Sheridan may have explained that best when he said, as quoted in the epilogue of this book that up until Grant "The army was alright; the trouble was that the commanders never went out to lick anybody, but always thought first of keeping from getting licked." This book tells of how Sheridan went out to soundly lick the Confederates in every battle he fought, once telling a staff officer who cautioned him about getting into the thick of things words to the effect of 'If we're not to win a battle, I would rather not survive it.' Read it if at all interested in the Civil War beyond the most famous battles on which the historians and the novelists have concentrated.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only reason why I don't give the book a "5" is the lack of discussion about whether Sheridan's "total war" tactics were necessary against the Plains Indians. The book discussed the necessity concerning the Civil War. The book at times verged at times on being a hagiography. Otherwise, the book contained a lot of information about both the General and the times of which I was not aware. The book had a particularly interesting discussion about Role in the early history of Yellowstone National Park. I was unaware that he had interests beyond the military.

I would recommend this book highly to any person with a serious interest in history.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent review of the life of Phillip Sheridan the almost forgotten and controversial leader of the Union Army during the Civil War. Sheridan was a charismatic leader and developed the mover strategy integrating calvary and infantry units in battle plans. He also implemented the “total war” strategy, developed by Grant et al, to lay waste to the strong holds of Southern territory. He visited Germany in the 1870’s and convinced the Germans, specifically Bismarck, that “total war” was an appropriate strategy for modern warfare. The Germans applied that strategy, so effectively, during the 20th Century.

[Michael Pancier · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the few bios of Phil Sheridan. I really enjoyed it and was quite glued to the chapters on the famous battles especially Cedar Creek and the Shenandoah campaign. Not as detailed as other bios such as those of Grant or Sherman, but alas, Sheridan's papers were all destroyed in the Great Chicago fire.

Worth the read.

[John Stults · Rating 4 out of 5]

good biography of Sheridan

The bio is written at an easy level so generally easy to follow. Most of the bio is dedicated to his civil war years and later his fighting the Indians on the plains. Also a very good description of his work with Yellowstone national park. Overall a good presentation of the life of Sheridan.

[Donna Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging and well documented. I'm surprised I didn't hear of this biography sooner. Apart from the horrific wars with American Indian tribes in the last couple chapters, I found this book--which is almost entirely about war--strangely relaxing.

[Abbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked up this book to learn more about General Sheridan (since we now live on Fort Sheridan) was surprised from his Ohio ties, to his importance in history. Frank thinks I should do a drunk history episode on General Sheridan. So if Comedy Central is listening... I’m available

[Dave the Rave · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read

This is a good, quick read about a monumental figure of the Civil War. Engagements are aptly described which minimized the impact of an absence of battle diagrams in the text. Very little about what made him him, but nevertheless a riveting account.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable. The author seems to gloss over Sheridan's negatives a bit, but the history is fascinating. This book covered many things I didn't previously know.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written book. Hard to read about Sheridan after the civil war and the way he contributed to the awful treatment of the Native Americans.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Lance · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Jim Benton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was always told to be careful around short Irishmen. Now I know why.

[Mary Vogelsong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Philip Sheridan was a most brutal and profane Federal Civil War general.

[Leon Atterberry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book about a Civil War General. I had not known much about General Philip Sheridan but I’m glad I read the book.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well-written and exceptionally well-researched biography of Phillip Sheridan, a general known mainly to Civil War buffs. Sheridan's fame somehow failed to endure in the same way that Sherman's and Grant's fame did.

The portions about the Civil War are excellent. The author shows how Sheridan rose meteorically in the ranks, moving from regimental command to corps command in short order. He assumed command of the entire federal cavalry effort. The most interesting part to me was about the Battle of Cedar Creek, in which Sheridan's presence alone made the difference between a decisive defeat and victory.

The biography remains fascinating after the Civil War portions: Sheridan helped to prevent a proxy war in Mexico, oversaw the numerous Indian Wars, and was involved in Reconstruction.

Highly recommended for an interesting, fresh read about an excellent General.

[John Lester · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first, of anything at lenght, about the life of Gen. Phillip H. Sheridan that I have read. I'm sure it would have delved deeper into his life and actions if his private papers hadn't been burnt up in the Great Chicago Fire. This book then must rely on the perspective of others and dispatches he wrote during the American Civil War. The War years show hin as a brash, young, overbearing, but winning warrior. That winning part was what brought him to the attention of U.S. Grant and in turn to Abrahan Lincoln. His winning ways came to him through his grasp of tactics and his willingness to be in the midst of his men during the heat of battle. Sheridan also changed the way calvery units were structured and utilized. The changes he made were responsible for many of the victories the Union Army made in the final days of the war.
Later, He devised the concept of total war (later studied and adopted by Hitler in WWII) where the destruction of crops and equipment, which could be used by the Confederate Armies, were destroyed. This left the rebels unable to feed themeselves but also straved the civilian population. Therefore, a starving populous was unable to feed the rebels and the fighters were less able to fight, hopefully bringing the war to a quicker and less bloody conclusion.
After the war Sheridan was assigned to enforce emancipation laws Louisana and Texas, arrest/control rebel groups, and bring peace along the Mexican/Texas border. He espoused the rights of emancipated former slaves and blocked laws that sought to remove those new freedoms. After a inspection trip to Texas, Sheridan was asked by a New Orleans reporter what he though of Texas. Sheridan replied "If I owned hell and Texas, I would rent out Texas and live in hell". Politics (and other opinions) later removed him from the Gulf Coast and on to the American Indian "problem".
General Sheridan's handling of the American South-West was text book of his sucess leading to Appomattox Courthouse. In the West, He oversaw and approved the slaughter of the bison herds, raids on indian settlements burning shelter, taking the tribes horses, killing Braves weomen and children while taking the rest captive. At the reservations the captured survivors were starved. But, he was a early proponet for Future Yellowstone Park, keeping the area Free of commerical developement and spoilers of the areas wildlife and scenery.
This is a fairly well written book though it has underdescription in some parts while others were somewhat repetitous.
Oh, the things you weren't taught in school!

[Shelly♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Other than History lovers, I wonder who in the general population even knows who Philip Sheridan is. Wheelan brings us up to speed in this biography. Sheridan, like many of the Civil War's great general, was a West Point graduate. He earned his stars in the Western Theater during the first part of the Civil War. Grant brought him east to command the Cavalry, and Sheridan was instrumental in many Cavalry actions and eventually took over the Army of the Valley, which eliminated one arm of Lee's army, before marching onto to assist the Army of the Potomac in the final push of the war.

In the years following the war, Sheridan remained in the Army as a major commander, eventually rising to the highest level. He was involved in the Indian Wars and the establishment of Yellowstone National Park.

That's the basic story on Sheridan, but this book is so much more. Wheelan gives us the Civil War from Sheridan's view point - many of the places he served have not had a lot of press, so it's interesting to read about these lesser known battles. Like Grant and Sherman, Sheridan spent time working with supplies and understanding how that piece was essential to running the army. He jumped on board with the total war concept in the Shenandoah Valley and also used it in the Indian wars.

Probably the one thing I learned about Sheridan that I will take away from this was his mission in keeping Yellowstone out of the hands of greedy developers and helping to make sure that it was a national treasure for all time.

Wheelan covers all the bases with Sheridan. From cradle to grave, we see how this great man impacted our country, yet now he is all but forgotten in the midst of the pop culture of the Civil War today. Do yourself a favor, and read this book or read something to discover a part of who he was and pass it on to others. This is history we should never forget!

[Carl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alexander the Great is supposed to have said that he feared an army of sheep led by a lion more than an army of lions led by a sheep. Phil Sheridan was one of the lions that Alexander was talking about – he had the ability to energize and drive a whole army.

He was a remarkable man with many talents. Besides being a great general, he was a good administrator – wherever he went he seemed to bring order.

The book, of course, describes his part in the Civil War, but it also tells about activities after the war, which was new to me. For example, I didn’t know he channeled arms to Benito Juarez.

The author puts a lot of emphasis upon “total war” – targeting civilian populations to weaken the enemy. I thought it was odd that the author seems to think this was something new that Lincoln, Grant, Sherman, and Sheridan invented. Here is Barbara Tuchman in her book on the 14th century: “These private wars were fought by knights with furious gusto and a single strategy, which consisted in trying to ruin the enemy by killing and maiming as many of his peasants and destroying as many crops, vineyards, tools, barns, and other possessions as possible, thereby reducing his sources of revenue.” Except for killing and maiming peasants, this describes Sheridan’s Union Army in the Shenandoah Valley.

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was raised in Montana not far from the Custer battlefield and developed a strong interest in the Indian Wars of the 1870's. Because of this, I felt I had a pretty good handle on General Phil Sheridan- goes to show you how wrong you can be. Although I has a grasp of his role in the Indian Wars, I was almost totally ignorant about his remarkable service in the Civil War. Terrible Swift Sword corrected that deficiency. Nearly half of the book describes his Civil War exploits, outlining his rise from a Second Lieutenant of infantry at the war's begining to the rank of Major General at it's end. One of the few general's who never lost a battle, he was responsible for transforming the cavalry into an effective fighting force. I was also unaware of his crucial role in keeping Yellowstone Park ( one of my all-time favorite places) from being exploited by railroad interests. This is a well done book that covers a lot of territory without getting bogged down with minutia. My only real critism is that the type was miniscule.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

General Philip Sheridan was a power house! I would love to have him to dinner just to see what colorful words would come out of his mouth about modern time. I think it would develop into a memorable evening.

Joseph Wheelan's account of P. Sheridan's rise to prominence is a worthy read that provides insight into certain facets of the Civil War I that were fresh even to a history buff.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sherman was a complex man. Wheelman does a fine job of capturing and explaining that complexity. I read ""Terrible Swift Sword" right after I finished reading "Custer's Trials," so I've had quite a prliminary run about military men who are more complex than they seem from a distance. My next stops are probably William McFeeley's life of Grant and Stephen Sears's life of McClellan. And isn't there a biography of the "Rock of Chickamauga"?

[Tim Armstrong · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a solid biography on Philip Sheridan. There isn't a lot of scholarship on Sheridan compared to some of his Civil War contemporaries, so I found this book to be interesting and informative. It really clipped along, and I think I would have liked more information on Sheridan's Civil War service as I felt the Civil War part of the book flew by. It would have been nice to flesh out his Civil War service a bit. But overall, a fine biography on an interesting man.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good detailing of the public life of Civil War general Philip Sheridan. Unfortunately there is little here that goes below the surface of his public face that would help you know the motives of the man. His private records were all destroyed in the Chicago Fire, so my assumption is that the author of this book decided to stick to a more formal treatment of the man.

[Drew Shifley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good biography of Philip Sheridan.