he one man who could bring the cavalry forces to that
standard which was so much desired.
The first time Lincoln met Grant after Sheridan called on him he
expressed his doubt. "The officer you brought from the West seems
rather a little fellow to handle your cavalry," said he.
Grant, however, unshaken in the belief that he at last had an
officer under him whom he could trust in charge of all the armies
of the Union if necessary, replied: "You will find him big enough
for the purpose before we get through with him."
Sheridan was not only popular with his superior officers and men
under him, but with the people generally. He was held in the
highest esteem by the people of my State. After his promotion to
the rank of Lieutenant-General, the citizens of Chicago presented
him with a house in Washington, as a mark of their friendship and
devotion.
While Governor I rendered a decision in an extradition case, which
formed a precedent, and which is referred to by writers on
extradition.
Moore comments on it as follows:
"In December, 1878, an interesting decision was made by Governor
Cullom, of Illinois, in the case of two persons named Gaffigan and
Merrick, whose surrender was demanded by the Governor of Pennsylvania
on a charge of murder committed in that State in January, 1865.
Accompanying the requisition was an indictment found against them
in Pennsylvania in March, 1865, for the crime for which their
rendition was demanded. It was alleged in their behalf that soon
after the murder was committed, and before the indictment was found,
they left their place of residence in Pennsylvania and went to
Illinois, where they had resided continuously in an open manner,
bearing their own names, transacting daily business, and holding
responsible public positions. In 1870 or 1871 Gaffigan was joined
by his father, who left their former place of residence in Pennsylvania
with the avowed purpose of joining his son in Illinois. The
residence of the latter in Illinois was also known to other persons
in the particular locality in Pennsylvania, among whom were a
constable and a witness whose name was endorsed on the indictment.
On the other hand, the prosecuting attorney in Pennsylvania denied
that there had been any laches in the matter, and declared that he
had acted upon the first knowledge that he had acquired in respect
to the whereabouts of the persons charged. Governor Cullom held
that while it might be inferred f
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