Chapter IV: Sheridan as a Cavalryman

The Union Cause rich in its Leadership.--The Rebellion very weak.
--Sheridan one of the most able of our Leaders.--A Miracle of War.
--An Inspiration rather than a General.--A "Fighting" General.
--Reminiscences of his Youth.--His Career as a "belligerent Cadet" at
West Point.--His Class-mates and their Success.--Sheridan and Hood
compared.--Sheridan's early Career as a Lieutenant and Failure as a
Quarter-master.--A Favorite with both Grant and Halleck.--Sheridan a
Colonel of Cavalry.--His first Cavalry Victory.--Promoted Brigadier
General of Infantry.--Repeated Defeats as a Commander of Infantry.
--His Failures at Stone River and Chickamauga.--Success in Pursuit of
Bragg from Tullahoma and at Chattanooga.--Promoted to the Command of
all Grant's Cavalry.--His Success in this Capacity.--The Belligerent
in his Organization.--Personal Appearance and Habits.--A modern
Scipio 128

CHAPTER V.

FIGHTING JOE HOOKER.

General Hooker a Cosmopolitan.--Naturally "a Fighting General."
--Career in Mexico.--Difficulties in obtaining a Command.--His
inspiring Presence.--Critical Account of his "Battle above the
Clouds."--He manufactures the Clouds in order to fight above them.
--His Weakness consists in his Disposition to criticise every thing.
--His Candor.--Opinion of McClellan.--"The young Napoleon conducting
War in order to get into the best Society."--Hooker's Vanity and
Valor.--How he obtained a Command.--Sharp Criticisms in official
Reports.--Hooker's Criticism on Sherman.--His untiring Energy.--The
Title of Fighting Joe offensive to him.--How it was obtained.
--Personal Description and Habits 165