Sheridan, Philip H.

(1831–1888) defeated Confederate forces in the Shenandoah Valley. His destruction of the economic infrastructure of the Valley, called ‘The Burning’ by residents, was one of the first uses of scorched-earth tactics in the war. Fully grown, he reached only 1.65 metres tall, a stature that led to the nickname, ‘Little Phil’. Abraham Lincoln described his appearance in a popular anecdote: ‘A brown, chunky little chap, with a long body, short legs, not enough neck to hang him, and such long arms that if his ankles itch he can scratch them without stooping’. In 1865, his cavalry was instrumental in forcing the surrender of Lee at Appomattox.