Sherman and Thomas match Horses.--A Contrast drawn between them. --Methodical Habits of Thomas.--System necessary to his Existence. --Fury of his Anger when aroused.--Great Self-control and Coolness in Danger.--Illustrative Incidents of his Imperturbability. --Cold-blooded upon Principle.--He Studies to avoid the display of his Emotions.--Personal Description and Habits in Camp.--His tactical Ability.--Affection of his Soldiers for Thomas.--The Bayard of the Army.--His uniform Success as a Commander.--Thomas entitled to the Credit of Sherman's March to the Sea.--The Battles of that Campaign fought at Nashville by Thomas.--The Battle at Nashville his greatest Action 58 CHAPTER III. GRANT AS A GENERAL. The proper Conception of his Character.--Grant a Combination of Sherman and Thomas.--Contrasted with Lee.--Resemblance between Grant and Sherman.--Energy of both.--Comparison between Grant and Thomas.--The Persistence and Tenacity of each.--Grant's Practicability and Magnanimity.--His Taciturnity.--His Idea of Strategy.--His numerous Battles the most successful and important of the War.--Campaign at Chattanooga and Knoxville.--The remarkable Campaign to the Rear of Richmond the most brilliant of the War.--His great Vice, a Habit of Smoking.--His great Weakness, a Love of Horses.--Grant and Sherman as Damon and Pythias.--His Generosity to his Subordinates.--Superiority to his principal Leaders.--What his Character in the Future will be 91 CHAPTER IV. SHERIDAN AS A CAVALRYMAN. The Union Cause rich in its Leadership.--The Rebellion very weak. --Sheridan one of the most able of our Leaders.--A Miracle of War. --An Inspiration rather than a General.--A "Fighting" General. --Reminiscences of his Youth.--His Career as a "belligerent Cadet" at West Point.--His Class-mates and their Success.--Sheridan and Hood compared.--Sheridan's early Career as a Lieutenant and Failure as a Quarter-master.--A Favorite with both Grant and Halleck.--Sheridan a Colonel of Cavalry.--His first Cavalry Victory.--Promoted Brigadier General of Infantry.--Repeated Defeats as a Commander of Infantry. --His Failures at Stone River and Chickamauga.--Success in Pursuit of Bragg from Tullahoma and at Chattanooga.--Promoted to the Command of all Grant's Cavalry.--His Success in this Capacity.--The Belligerent in his Organization.--Personal Appearance and Habits.--A modern Scipio 128 CHAPTER V. FIGHTING JOE HOOKER.