One of the more prominent U.S. military figures of the latter half of the 19th century died in Dartmouth, Massachusetts on August 5, 1888.

General Phillip Henry Sheridan was born in Albany, New York, on March 6, 1831. A graduate of the United States Military Academy in 1853, Sheridan was a career U.S. Army Officer and a Union General in the American Civil War.

Britannica.com says Sheridan, known as "Little Phil" and "Fightin' Phil," was a "highly successful U.S. cavalry officer whose driving military leadership in the last year of the American Civil War was instrumental in defeating the Confederate Army."

This Prominent Civil War General Died At Nonquitt In Dartmouth
Barry Richard/Townsquare Media
loading...

Serving mainly frontier posts, Sheridan was appointed colonel of the 2nd Michigan Cavalry in 1862.

What followed was a series of successful campaigns at Booneville, Mississippi, Perryville, Kentucky, and the Battle of Stones River in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

This Prominent Civil War General Died At Nonquitt In Dartmouth
Barry Richard/Townsquare Media
loading...

Another successful campaign at Missionary Ridge near Chattanooga, Tennessee prompted Gen. Ulysses S. Grant to place Sheridan in charge of the Army of the Potomac. Sheridan's raid on Richmond, Virginia led to the death of the Confederate Gen. Jeb Stuart.

WBSM-AM/AM 1420 logo
Get our free mobile app

Sheridan led the force that ultimately drove the Confederates from the Shenandoah Valley and managed Grant's campaign at Appomattox.

After the Civil War, General Sheridan defended the border with Mexico and executed war against the Indians on the Northern Plains, including the Great Sioux War of 1876-77, which resulted in the death of Gen. George Custer.

This Prominent Civil War General Died At Nonquitt In Dartmouth
Barry Richard/Townsquare Media
loading...

Sheridan was also involved in protecting Yellowstone National Park, was an observer for Grant during the Franco-Prussian War, and coordinated the relief efforts following the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, among other things.

Sheridan married Irene Rucker on June 3, 1875. They had four children.

President Grover Cleveland made Sheridan General of the Army in 1888, but it was short-lived.

After suffering a series of massive heart attacks, Sheridan died on August 5, 1888 at the family's summer home at Nonquitt in South Dartmouth, Massachusetts. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

A Guide to New Bedford's Memorial Tanks and Cannons

New Bedford has a large assortment of military hardware scattered throughout the city to honor various veterans organizations. See them all listed here.

LOOK: 100 years of American military history

More From WBSM-AM/AM 1420