Recognizing Sheridan's aggressive spirit, General Ulysses S. Grant gave him command of his cavalry in 1864, and soon after of the Army of the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. Sheridan laid waste to the valley, cutting off grain supplies to the Confederate armies. In the final stage of the war, Sheridan forced General Robert E. Lee to retreat to Appomattox Courthouse and surrender.
Born in Albany, New York, Sheridan graduated from West Point in 1853. Following the war, Sheridan led troops at the Mexican border and hastened the collapse of the regime of Emperor Maximilian of Mexico. Sheridan served as military governor of Texas and Louisiana during Reconstruction; his policies were so harsh that he was removed by President Andrew Johnson. He was senior general of the United States Army from 1883 to 1888.
The M551 Sheridan tank is named after General Sheridan.
