Sir, - May I use your columns to say a few words on behalf of General Philip Sheridan? It seems fashionable at the moment to demonise this Irish American soldier. Some years ago a Co Cavan village apologised to the Sioux nation for being Sheridan's birthplace (!), Conor O'Clery wants the Sheridan Circle to drop the general's name (May 18th) and again Lorna Siggins mentions his alleged statement: "The only good Indians I ever saw were dead" (May 20th).
In fairness to Sheridan it should be pointed out that he always denied uttering those words. Because of conflicting accounts of where and when they were supposedly spoken, a verdict of at least "not proven" must be entered against the charge. However that does not mitigate the cruel treatment of the Indians by Americans of his era, a treatment for which Sheridan and the US army were often the director and operatives.
But there is more to the Sheridan story than his record against the Indians. For the son of Co Cavan emigrants to become General in Chief of the US army is one of the greatest Irish American success stories. Sheridan fought in eight major Civil War engagements, rising from captain in 1861 to general in 1864. His 14 mile ride to Cedar Creek in 1864, to rally his beaten army and lead it to victory, is the stuff of an American epic, once as much apart of the national myth as Paul Revere.
He imprinted his personality forever on a key US institution by founding the US Army General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth. His efforts on behalf of black voters as a military governor in the South should not be forgotten, even by those who wish to demonstrate political correctness.
Of course, Sheridan's record against the Indians stands as a reproach to him and his generation. But that is no reason to bar whim from the current celebration of Irish America. For if Sheridan is excluded, where will it end? If the Irish American honour roll is upon strict PC lines it will be a slim one indeed, minus people like the anti Labour Henry Ford and the adulterous JFK.
Should we not instead accept these Irish Americans, warts and all, recognising in each the limitations of their time, place and culture as well as personality? If Kennedy can be celebrated in Wexford, why not Sheridan in Cavan? - Yours, etc.,
Carragh Hill,
Knocknacarra,
Galway.