Sheridan's Lieutenants: Phil Sheridan, His Generals, and the Final Year of the Civil War (review)

In Sheridan's Lieutenants, historian David Coffey tells the story of Phil Sheridan, commander of the Cavalry Corps under Ulysses S. Grant, and his subordinates during the final year of the Civil War. His account features detailed biographical sketches of the generals who comprised Sheridan's staff, men like George A. Custer, George Crook, and others, and who were instrumental in his success.

Coffey examines Sheridan's command from a chronological as well as geographical perspective. After devoting the first two chapters to the composition of the command itself and recounting the disastrous battles of the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, and Spotsylvania Courthouse, he examines the formation of the Army of the Shenandoah, which Sheridan commanded, and the ensuing Valley Campaign. Here, Coffey focuses on the Battles of Winchester, Fisher's Hill, and Cedar Creek and the scorched earth policy pursued by Sheridan in the Valley. Coffey notes acts of brutality on both sides in addition to the destruction of barns, farm implements, livestock, and crops throughout the area.

The focus then shifts to central Virginia and Sheridan's staff's involvement in the siege of Petersburg and the attempt to defeat Lee's army, culminating in the Appomattox Campaign. Coffey discusses the Battles of Five Forks and Sayler's Creek, and Sheridan's blocking of Lee's escape route at Appomattox. The epilogue deals with the postwar careers of Sheridan and his "lieutenants," many of whom went on to great fame. In this context, Coffey notes the future demise of one of Sheridan's favorite subordinates, George A. Custer, who would meet disaster at the Little Big Horn in 1876.

The scholarship is quite good, as the author makes use of memoirs, biographies, and the 128 volumes of The War of the Rebellion. In addition, the work is aided by maps, both battlefield and regional, and photographs of Sheridan, Grant, Sheridan's "lieutenants," and his Confederate opponents.

While his book is short, Coffey packs each page with detail that adds to our knowledge of a man, his command, and the sites where they did great things. Sheridan's Lieutenants is worth more in historical value than its actual price, as it provides great scholarly insight into a lesser known piece of Civil War history. Historians and general readers should consider placing this work on their reading lists.