# General Philip H. Sheridan — The Life of Buffalo Bill character guide

> General Philip H. Sheridan in The Life of Buffalo Bill by William F. Cody.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** General Sheridan, Sheridan, Phil

**First appearance:** 0013-xi-a-soldier

## Snapshot

The Union general to whom Cody dedicates his memoir, a commanding figure whose Indian campaigns on the Western frontier depended on scouts like Buffalo Bill.

## Who they are

Sheridan stands at the top of the military hierarchy that employs Cody, the name that lends the narrative its official weight and its claim to historical seriousness. The dedication itself is a kind of transaction: Cody offers his story to a general whose endorsement converts a plainsman's adventures into verified frontier history. He matters because the campaigns he directs are the stage on which Cody's scouting earns its reputation, and his favor is the proof that the tales are not humbug.

## In the story

### [Dedication](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/dedication)

The book is dedicated to General Sheridan.

### [Introductory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/introductory)

Mentioned as a military officer under whom Cody served and to whom he carried dispatches.

### [The Life of Buffalo Bill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/the-life-of-buffalo-bill)

A military leader who employed Cody as a scout.

### [Champion Buffalo Killer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/xv-champion-buffalo-killer)

Takes headquarters at Fort Hayes to superintend the Indian war campaign; Cody reports for scouting duty.

### [A Courier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/xvi-a-courier)

Gives Cody dispatches for Fort Dodge and later approves his volunteer courier mission.

### [An Appointment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/xvii-an-appointment)

Appoints Cody as guide and chief of scouts for the Fifth Cavalry.

### [Scouting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/xviii-scouting)

Introduces Cody to Colonel Royal; orders the regiment to march against Native Americans.

### [Hunting Expedition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/xxiv-hunting-expedition)

Sends a letter instructing that Cody not be transferred with the Fifth Cavalry to Arizona.

### [Hunting with a Grand Duke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/xxv-hunting-with-a-grand-duke)

Directs the hunt and introduces Cody to the Grand Duke.

### [Sightseeing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/xxvi-sightseeing)

Extends Cody's leave of absence and later hosts him in Chicago.

### [I Return to the Plains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/xxx-i-return-to-the-plains)

Met at Fort Laramie en route to Red Cloud Agency; Buffalo Bill accompanies him briefly.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/characters/general_sheridan
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/characters