# Philip H. Sheridan — Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant character guide > Philip H. Sheridan in Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant by Ulysses S. Grant. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Sheridan, General Sheridan, P. H. Sheridan, Major-General Sheridan, Major-General P. H. Sheridan **First appearance:** 0003-i ## Snapshot The slight, ferocious cavalryman Grant plucks from obscurity on Halleck's one-word recommendation, and who never once makes him regret it. ## Who they are When Grant complains to Lincoln that the cavalry has accomplished almost nothing, Halleck offers Sheridan's name and Grant seizes it instantly, telegraphing for him the same day. The appointment displaces Pleasonton and signals Grant's willingness to gamble on aggressive fighters over seniority. Sheridan's first raid opens the grand campaign, and his relentless pursuit of Lee in the final days — troops marching without rations, without rest, without straggling — becomes the instrument that makes surrender inevitable. ## Relationships ### [Ulysses S. Grant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/characters/ulysses_s_grant) _professional_ Sheridan was one of Grant's most trusted and aggressive subordinate commanders, executing Grant's strategic vision with fierce loyalty. ### [Robert E. Lee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/characters/robert_e_lee) _rivalry_ Sheridan's cavalry and infantry forces relentlessly pursued and defeated Lee's army in the final months of the war. ### [Jubal Early](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/characters/jubal_early) _rivalry_ Early and Sheridan were opposing commanders in the Shenandoah Valley campaign, where Sheridan decisively defeated Early. ### [Winfield S. Hancock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/characters/winfield_s_hancock) _professional_ Sheridan and Hancock served as fellow corps commanders in the Army of the Potomac, cooperating in major campaigns. ### [Ulysses S. Grant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/characters/ulysses_s_grant) _professional_ Sheridan was one of Grant's most trusted and aggressive subordinate commanders, executing Grant's strategic vision with fierce loyalty. ## In the story ### [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxvii) Met by Grant at Corinth; Sheridan was eager to join Buell but Grant initially expressed surprise and nettled by his desire to leave. ### [Commencement of the Grand Campaign—General Butler’s Position—Sheridan’s First Raid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xlviii) Leads the first cavalry raid around Lee's army, defeats Stuart at Yellow Tavern, and reaches the James River. ### [The Battle of the Wilderness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/l) Commanded Union cavalry, engaged Confederate cavalry on the Union left. ### [LI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/li) Cavalry commander; fought at Todd's Tavern and issued orders for Spotsylvania. ### [LII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/lii) Leads cavalry raid, destroys railroad and supplies. ### [Movement by the Left Flank—Battle of North Anna—An Incident of the March—Moving on Richmond—South of the Pamunkey—Position of the National Army](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/liv) Leads the cavalry; executes the feint and secures crossings at Hanover Town. ### [Left Flank Movement Across the Chickahominy and James—General Lee—Visit to Butler—The Movement on Petersburg—The Investment of Petersburg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/lvi) Sent with two cavalry divisions to communicate with Hunter and break up the Virginia Central Railroad and James River Canal. ### [Chapter LVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/lvii) Appointed to command in the field against Early; arrives at Monocacy by special train to receive instructions. ### [LVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/lviii) Commands forces in the Shenandoah Valley, defeats Early at Opequon Creek and pursues him up the valley. ### [Arrival of the Peace Commissioners—Lincoln and the Peace Commissioners—An Anecdote of Lincoln—The Winter Before Petersburg—Sheridan Destroys the Railroad—Gordon Carries the Picket Line—Parke Recaptures the Line—The Line of Battle of White Oak Road](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/lxiii) Operating north of James River; defeats Early, destroys railroads and canal, moves toward White House with cavalry. ### [LXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/lxiv) Sheridan leads the cavalry and 5th Corps in the capture of Five Forks, displaying confidence and decisive action. ### [The Capture of Petersburg—Meeting President Lincoln in Petersburg—The Capture of Richmond—Pursuing the Enemy—Visit to Sheridan and Meade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/lxv) Leads cavalry and infantry in pursuit; intercepts Lee's army at Jetersville and reports on enemy movements. ### [The Correspondence and Surrender at Appomattox](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/lxvi) Union cavalry commander; leads forced march to capture supply trains at Appomattox and informs Grant of the opportunity. ### [LXVII: Negotiations at Appomattox](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/lxvii) Commands troops facing the Confederate army; receives Lee's flag of truce and hesitates to suspend hostilities. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/conclusion) Sent by Grant to the Rio Grande after Lee's surrender to aid Juarez against the French. ### [Report of Lieutenant-General U. S. Grant, of the United States Armies 1864–65](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/report-of-lieutenant-general-u-s-grant-of-the-united-states-armies-1864-65) Commands cavalry at Appomattox; receives Lee's request for a suspension of hostilities. ### [Organization Charts—Union and Confederate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/organization-charts-union-and-confederate) Commanding the Cavalry Corps. ### [Union Army on the Rapidan, May 5, 1864](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/union-army-on-the-rapidan-may-5-1864) Commanding the Cavalry Corps. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/characters/philip_h_sheridan - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/characters