Civil War Union Major General. Born in County Cavan, Ireland, his family emigrated to America when he was a child. In 1848 he applied to the United States Military Academy at West Point at the last minute after the nominee from his district failed the entrance exam. He entered West Point that year and was suspended for one year for punching his Southern drill instructor, before graduating 34 out 52 in his July 1853 class. During the Civil War served in the Cavalry for the Union Army, being promoted several times. Served as Brigadier General of Volunteers, commanding the XI Division Army of the Ohio at the Battle of Perryville, the 3rd Division of the XVI Corps at the Battle of Stone's River, and in the Battles of Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Overland Campaign, Richmond, Yellow Tavern, Shenandoah Valley, 3rd Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, Appomattox, and Five Forks. He was well known during the Battle of Cedar Creek for riding his famed horse Rienzi down from Winchester to spur on his retreating troops to fight the Confederates. When President Abraham Lincoln promoted him he followed in the footsteps of only U. S. Grant and William Sherman as the only Regular Army Major Generals. Following the war, he was promoted to Lieutenant General in the Regular Army and placed in command of the Division of Missouri where he spent most of his time fighting the Indians the remainder of his career. Between 1867 to 1884 his troops fought 619 engagements with the Western tribes. Lieutenant Colonel George A Custer served under his command during the Battle of Little Big Horn. Following General Sherman's retirement in November 1883 Sheridan moved to Washington to take command of the Army, but he was not given the four stars to go with the job. There was talk of running him for President, but Sheridan was not into politics and was suffering from heart disease. He withdrew from public life in 1883 to spend time with his wife, whom he married in 1875, and 4 children. Diagnosed with heart disease and rapidly declining health, he suffered a major heart attack May 22, 1888 just after returning from an inspection for the site of Fort Sheridan, in Chicago. Congress, upon hearing the news revived the General of the Army grade and President Grover Cleveland signed the commission, cheering up the sick Sheridan. He had finally joined Washington, Sherman, and Grant with the fourth star. He was moved to his seaside cottage in Massachusetts and died in 1888. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery as he had requested facing eastward towards Washington, guarding the Union.