The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-09-01
Gen. MCPHERSON and his Opinion of
Grant and Sherman.

A gentleman who knew Mcpherson, write
TO the New York Post as follows:
"0ne of the fist to serve our country wher
she called her sons to take up arms, he ha,
since lsbored most faithfully, as the records o
the war will show. BY his own merits he rose
rapidly to Major Generalship in the regular
army, and believe that 20 man that ever liv
/ ed was more deserving ofthe enviabe position
+ he occupied. Frank, manly, generous, earn
est, truthful, kind, these were his chief char
aeterstics. To trust imposed in him he
would have been faithful unto death. That
he was brave all know; and perhaps | better
than any other, understood how entirely he
was devoted to his country, for 1t was the
chief subject ofa hundred conversations we
have had together. He was a man OF fine in
telleet, cultivated and refined. His conversa-
tional and social powers were remarkable. |
have known him charm an entire circle in So
ca meetings, leaving them without any de-
sign except to listen; aud this was done with
a childlike naturalness and ease seldom found
in one SO universally favorite rs himself
The chiefcharn oi mis- presence was that pleas
ant, frank Daturalness Of manner, which was
at the same time SO pure and delicate, so free
from familiarity and pedantry.
OF others he was always ready TO say kind
and friendly word. In late letter TO myself,
speaks OF Generals Grant and Sherman most
beautifully, eulogizing both highly, at the
same time distinguishing them by their pecu-
liar characteristics. He says Of Grant:
Lieut.. Gen. U. 5. Grant, l regard as one Of
the most remarkable men of onr couutry.-
without aspiring to be genius, or possessing
those characteristics which impress one iorci-
bly, at first sight, his sterling good sense, calm
Judgment and persistency of purpose, more
qualities which are apt to captivate at first
glance. To know and appreciate General
Grant fully, one ought TO be a member of his
military amily.
Though possessing remarkable reticence
as far as military operations are concerned, he
is frank and ailable, conyerses well, and has a
peculiar and retentiye memory When not
oppressed with the cares OF his position, he is
very fond of talking, telling anecdotes, &c.
His purity oil character is unimpeachable,
and his patriotism OF the most exalted kind.
He is generous TO fault, humane and true,
and a steadfast friend to those whom he deems
worthy of his confidence, and can always be
relied upon in case OF emergency.
Major Gen. w. I. Sherman Is what might
be called a brilliant man, possessing a broad
and comprehensive intellect. rapid think
er, and ready writer, fertile in his resources
and untiring In his exertions, be possesses
those characteristics which forcibly impress
you at first sight. He tried various proies-
sions-has read and reflected much, and hav-
ing a remarkable retentive memory is well in
formed on most subjects which come within
the scope ofhuman thought. He is of much
more excitable temperament than Gen. Grant,
and more apt to be swayed by impulses
though his judgment Is not so cool and relia-
bic. In other words though a more brilliant
man, he does not possess that sterling good
common sense which pre-eminently dlstia-
guishes Gen. Grant.
He is, however, a most brave and generous
man, thorou9 9hly in earnest and ready 10 sac
riice everything for the good OF his country.
He is true friend and thoroughly unselflsh /;
and there are no bettes men-or lew, at least
than Gen. Sherman.
These statements, coming from him thus
frankly, have at this time a peculiar interest
for the friends who knew his qualities of judg-
ment as well as he knew Grants and Sher-
mans. They were given by request, and /
am assured are the true sentiments OF his
heart--a heart full of warm and friendly i'm
pulses. He speaks of others with less warmth
but at the same time, while painting the true
portrait of the man, tries to excuse his faults,
with truly generous and Christian-lik1e spirit.
In matters OF personal interest he ever be-
trayed profound reliance upon higher pow
er, and spoke OF nothing with the rash CONT
dence OF the unthinking He was always
mindful ofhls own helplessness, and calculat-
ed upon that only which God might vouchsafe
TO him. His habits were those of Christian,
and l have heard him express fearlessness ol
death which indicated readiness to meet the
summons If it should come. In answer to a
request OF mine to tell me all the war news he
said, lately: Il cannot tell you all now but II
God spares my life, when our dear country is
safe and needs me no more, will sit down by
your side and tell you all have experienced
/ by word OF mouth. Yet count upon moth
I ing, excepting through His will: and it may
be that shall fall in this campaign. If
should, it viii be in the foremost ranks, striy-
f ing heart and soul to do my duty, so that
/ neither you, my best friend. nor /, shall ever
have reason to blush with shame when we look
back upon these times"