Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-03-17


ming papers, last Saturday, stated that Gen.
Grant was to be superseded or relieved OF
command "on account of bad conduct at tort
Donelson and elsewhere" This is the first
time that chad conduct" anywhere in military
service has been imputed to General Grant.
Certainly there was no mention o. misbehaviur
on his part at fort Donelson. On tile contra
~, the report was that he behaved calamity.
He commanded the army that captured the
fort, and, under the present administration o.
the war department, the winning of battle is
not considered "bad conduct" We shall not
believe he has misbehaved until we see il
definitely stated and clearly proved. 1t ap
pears, however, that there is some unexplained
trouble in regard TO him. 1t is alluded to but
not explained, in the following letter to tie
Cincinnati Gazette -
FoRT HENRY, March 10
General c. +. Smith has been placed in
command OF the army in the field, General
Grant remaining at this point, which is at
present the headquarters OF the department
This morning number of the officers of this
command assembled in the cabin OF the steam.
er Tigress, for the purpose of presenting to
Major General Grant magnificent sword as
token OF their appreciation of his mastery
military services, together with his noble aud
praiseworthy qualities as soldier aud
gentleman, which have won for him the re-
spect and admiration OF all serving under him.
The sword Is OF most exquisite workmanship,
manufactured at great expense. The handle
is Of ivory, mounted with gold the blade Of
the finest steel Accompanying the sword
are beautiful sash and belt, all enclosed in a
tine rosewood Tie presentation was
made by Col C.. e. Marsh in the following
neat and appropriate speech -
"Generdl The pleasing duty has been de-
VolVed upon me by my brother officers, Of be-
ing their medium in presenting you with this
sword, sash and belt as sig lat token of their
confidence in your ability a commander.
They were ordered long since, and before "A
glorious victory had brought you so prom
nently before the public but they have for.
tunately been delayed in reaching us Til now.
Fortunately, | say, because at this moment
l0hen the Jealousy caused by your brilliant successes
has raised up hidden enemies, Dho are endeaUoring
to strike you in the dark it affords me an oppor.
tunity to express our renewed confidence. Ac
cept it, then, sir, with the best wishes of the
donors. May you, sir, be spared to wear them
with honor and credit to your country and to
yourself, aud may we soon Ge called to follow
you to new battles and fresh victories, till the
ultimate success of our glorious cause permits
us to return with honor 10 the peace aud quiet
of our homes"
Col Marsh having concluded, Gen. Grant
stretched out his hand and received the token
but the mild hero was too full for utterance,
and remarking that he was unable to reply re
tired TO the adjacent room, when Capt. w. S.
Hillyer stepped forward, and made the follow
ing beautiful and eloquent reply:
"COt. Marsh: am instructed by Gen.
IN an hot In ham al
sword, and returns you and the donors his
heartfelt thanks. He accepts it with the more
satisfaction, that it is not tribute which the
world is ever ready to render to success, but
manifestation OF tile confidence and respect
which nave resulted from many months OF
oHcial and friendly intercourse. War has its
uenghts as well as shadows Valor is not the
only virtue. 1t develops confidence. svmpa.
thy, brotherhood. In fact all the virtnes or |
the human heart find their fullest iruition In |
the soldiers lite The most beautiful inr;Jan, |
in Napoleon's career was the confidence r.s
pect aud sympathy between him and hia MAJ.
shals IL was something for which ali
Europe could not excel him. He carried il
with him to Eliza and the grave and kno,v
full well that he for whom speak values m,
consciousness of having the confidence and re-.
spect OF those who served under him, through
the many weary days and nights OF this cam
paign, far, far above the eclat that the world
awards TO victory. This, thank God, Is some.
thing IN whieh he can't be superseded By any Douer
on earth. This testimonial Of your fidelity,
and those for whom you speak, colonel. will
be safely kept and treasured. We grant that
II may be unsheathed to lead you on to fresh
victories. Lfhat is not permitted, Gen Grants
heart 0ia JotiOO you to the battle field, ,ohosOsOer
may lead you"
The inscription on the sword was simply as
follows; Presented 10 Gen u S. Grant, by
9. W. Graham, c. B. Lsgow, c. C. Marsh,