ORIGIN OF LBANY, the birthplace of many citizens who have ALE risen to eminence in the nation and the world, counts among its native sons Philip H. Sheridan, one of the great military heroes of the Civil War. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant said of him: As a soldier there is no man living greater than Sheridan. He belongs to the very first rank of captains, not only of our army, but of the world. I rank him with Napoleon and Frederick, and the great commanders of history. Little wonder that Albany is proud of Sheridan. Twentynine years after his death the people of the capital city, assisted by the State, erected to the memory of "Little Phil," as he was affectionately called by his comrades, one of the finest equestrian statues in bronze in the United States. They placed it, too, in the most conspicuous spot in Capitol Park, in front of the State capitol, which is within a few blocks from the location where Sheridan was born in 1831. It is well that the achievements of men distinguished in their day be seen in the perspective before their grateful fellow citizens attempt to give fit expression of their appreciation. It may be truly said of Sheridan that the passing of the years since the close of his marvelous military career but add to the lustre of his glory and justify the estimate of Grant, as well as of other famous soldiers who served with him in the war. Albany waited nearly thirty years before it raised a statue in bronze to the memory of an honored son, but the lapse of time added to the fame of Philip H. Sheridan and gave him a firmer hold upon the gratitude of the people. This volume is intended to set forth the history of the initiation and carrying out of the plan to erect the Sheridan monument. It tells of the enthusiastic men and women who participated in the work of gathering the funds; the selection of the sculptor; the preparation for the unveiling ceremony; the presence of veterans who were comrades-in-arms with Sheridan, and the eloquent addresses by the Governor of the State and other distinguished persons October 7, 1916, the date of the unveiling. For years there had been talk among Albanians, proud of the distinction won by General Sheridan, of erecting a monument in Albany to perpetuate his memory, and although several efforts were made, following his death, to do this, the idea did not take tangible form until February 11, 1914. On the evening of that day Philip H. Sheridan Camp No. 200, Sons of Veterans, had its annual dinner at the Ten Eyck hotel, Albany, at which Governor Martin H. Glynn was the principal speaker. Governor Glynn's subject was "Abraham Lincoln," and during the course of his address he referred to the great career of Sheridan and suggested the propriety of the Camp, which bore the name of Albany's illustrious soldier, initiating a public movement for the erection of a monument. GOVERNOR GLYNN'S ADDRESS Governor Glynn's address which started the movement for the erection of the statue was as follows: I came here tonight to start a movement too long delayed. This old town is the birthplace of the greatest, or if not the greatest, the second greatest, cavalry leader in the history of the world. "Little Phil" Sheridan was born here on March 6, 1831. He was small in stature - so small that before he took his West Point physical examination he was stretched all night so as to be tall enough to pass muster in the morning. But so was Napoleon small- and Napoleon's big brother-in-law, Murat, is the only cavalry leader who can share the laurel wreath of excellence with "Little Phil" Sheridan. For a long time Ohio claimed Sheridan as one of her native sons, but Ohio has produced so many presidents that she has the habit of claiming everything great. New York State, too, claimed Sheridan as her own. "Little Phil" settled the controversy in his autobiography. He stated he was born in Albany. He had it from his mother, and his mother ought to know. Ohio has erected a statue to her famous adopted son; New York should erect a statue to the native son who has thrown a glamour around our military annals. It has been against our State legislative policy to appropriate money for statues to the noted sons of different localities in this State. I suppose the reason has been that New York has produced so many famous sons that there would not be money enough to go around. So, tonight I suggest a |