GEORGE W. SHERIDAN -- 83rd and 97th INFANTRYSAILOR WOUNDED AT THE WILDERNESS - When he was 32 years old, George W.Sheridan, who identified himself as a sailor, enlisted as a substitutefor Aaron Staves on July 16, 1863. He enlisted the 83rd Infantry andjoined the regiment in the field just before they were engaged atLiberty, VA, in November. About a hundred men enlisted in Plattsburghafter the Battle of Gettysburg where the regiment suffered 82casualties. After Liberty, the men joined the Mine Run Campaign in the ICorps with General John Newton in December. After the campaign, theyspent the winter at Brandy Station about 30 miles to the north.In the spring of 1864, the 83rd's first engagement was at the 3-dayBattle of the Wilderness -- May 5th to 7th. On the second day, Georgewas wounded in action and was sent to hospital in Washington 90 miles tothe north. He was one the eight men who were mortally wounded there.The 83rd Infantry was mustered out in June 1864. The new 3-year menlike George were transferred administratively to the 97th Infantry whowere in the field with them. George never joined his new regimentbecause he died in hospital on August 21st. He was buried in the MountMoriah Cemetery in Philadelphia, PA.
