Civil War Quiz: What Do You Know About Philip Sheridan?

Q#1 – Where was Philip Sheridan born?

Q#2 – Why did Sheridan earn the nickname “Little Phil”?

Q#3 – What were the circumstances that led to Sheridan being nominated to attend West Point by U.S. Congressman Thomas Ritchey?

Q#4 – In his fourth year at West Point, why was Sheridan suspended for a year?

Q#5 – In 1853, where did Sheridan rank among the graduating cadets from West Point?

Q#6 – How did Sheridan initially gain experience leading combat units and developing diplomatic negotiating skills?

Q#7 – While serving in the Pacific Northwest, what romantic affair was Sheridan involved in?

Q#8 – In the fall of 1861, what was Sheridan’s first assignment during the Civil War?

Q#9 – After the Battle of Stones River (December 31, 1862–January 2, 1863), how did Sheridan earn his promotion to Major General?

Q#10 – During the Battle of Chattanooga on November 25, 1863, what did Sheridan tell his troops to encourage them to charge up Missionary Ridge?

Q#11 – In the spring of 1864, Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, General-in-Chief of all the Union armies, appointed Sheridan to command the Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac. But Sheridan was not Grant’s first choice — who was?

Q#12 – In 1864, Sheridan, as commander of the Army of the Shenandoah, initiated scorched-earth tactics that presaged those of Sherman’s March to the Sea, designed to deny the Confederacy a base of operations in the Shenandoah Valley. What name did Southerners give to this scorched-earth policy?

Q#13 – After the Civil War, Sheridan was assigned to the western territories, specifically tasked with “pacifying” Native Americans. He had been accused of being unnecessarily cruel and bent on extermination. Various newspapers covering the Indian Wars quoted Sheridan as stating, “The only good Indian is a dead Indian.” Is it fact or fiction that Sheridan made this statement?

Q#14 – In 1871, Sheridan was present in Chicago during the Great Chicago Fire. What official role was he assigned?

Q#15 – In Yellowstone Park, there is a mountain peak overlooking the Heart Lake area named Mount Sheridan. Why was the mountain named for Sheridan?