Philip Sheridan

Philip Henry Sheridan (March 6, 1831 – August 5, 1888), a military man and one of the great generals in the American Civil War. His actions proved decisive for the Union. He pacified the Great Plains. Both as a soldier and private citizen he was instrumental in the development and protection of Yellowstone National Park.

Yellowstone

The protection of the Yellowstone area was Sheridan's personal crusade. In 1870 he authorized Lieutenant Gustavus Doane to escort the Washburn Expedition in 1870, and for Captain John W. Barlow to escort the Hayden Expedition in 1871. As early as 1875 Sheridan promoted military control of the area to prevent destruction of natural formations and wildlife.

Related Topics:
1870 - Gustavus Doane - Washburn Expedition - Hayden - 1871 - 1875

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In 1882, the Department of the Interior granted rights to the Yellowstone Park Improvement Company to develop 4000 acres (16 km²) in the park. Their plan was to build a railroad into the park and sell the land to developers. Sheridan personally organized opposition to the plan and lobbied Congress for protection of the park; including expansion, military control, reducing the development to 10 acres (40,000 m²), and prohibiting leases near park attractions. In addition to lobbying Congress, he arranged an expedition to the park for President Chester A. Arthur and other influential men.

Related Topics:
1882 - Department of the Interior - Chester A. Arthur

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His lobbying soon paid off. A rider was added to the Sundry Civil Bill of 1883, giving Sheridan and his supporters almost everything they had asked. In 1886, after a string of ineffectual and sometimes criminal superintendents, Sheridan ordered the First Cavalry into the park. The military operated the park until the National Park Service took it over in 1916.

Related Topics:
1883 - 1886 - National Park Service - 1916

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