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Regarding Sheridan:

Grant LOVED sycophants and 'yes men' who surrounded him and told him what he wished to hear. One of the most egregious was Sheridan, a minor character of limited ability (in my view) who benefited from the build up in the force and strength of the Federal Cavalry in the East over many years of hard service, and used it o overpower an already seriously weakened Confederate force. His near catastrophic defeat at Cedar Creek, only to be saved by Wright and his VI Corps, but using his adeptness in Public Relations to turn this disaster into a great victory for him alone!

He was badly beaten at Dinwiddie Court House and saved by Warren at Five Forks, and in a fit of pique and envy, relieved the real hero of the Battle out of spite!

Sheridan benefited from his close relationship with Grant, who always favored friends and supporters over those qualified: look at Grant's blatant act of insult to Gen. Meade, when he vaulted Sheridan without merit nor explanation over Meade to the position of Lt. General in 1868 after his election to the presidency. According to custom and procedure, the promotion was Meade's. Sheridan was also a political animal who always hankered for the presidency for himself and never did anything without assessing how the action would impact his political career.

If I seem a bit unfavorable to Sheridan, it is with complete justification. Based solely on his gross insubordination to Meade at Laurel Hill on May 8, 1864, in the face of the enemy, he should be derided and deflated.