The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-10-11
a portrnIt Of Gcncrnr rrnnt,l,n.


+. Calhoun Adams, in his second book sf "The
Story of Trooper" pays the following hand
some tribute to the character Of General w. b.
FIanklm:-
And here let me say few words touching the
ex8lnple set by General Franklin TO his men aud
officers. lie quietly pitched his tent on the brow
of bill, IN the open field and this was his
headquarters during the winter. His style o
living was of the plainest Kind, aud such as
became the tue soldier NothiOg could induce
him TO enter the houses of the pe Jpie, nor would
he permit any one of his stah to occupy them.
His tent was bis home and bis headquarters; aud
like a true soldier, he never forgot that he WIS
placed here TO do his duty 20 his God and his
country. Ailabe and courteous In his manners,
with a paiure kCenly susceptible 10 the demands
Of justice and true humanity, quick 10 interpret
betwt en- right and wrong, a Tieid discipinarian
eSaciing in bis demands of duty from his sub.
ordinaIes, you could find no truer friend or more
agreeable companion when the work Of the day
was over
Encouraging, alike by his triumph aud precept
true manllncss in his officers, it his highest
aim to promote the interests of all under him,
ard 10 improve their discipline, that they would
reflect honor on their country IN the day Of
battle. In short, he was not long in gaining the
coniid, nee and esteem OF his soldiers, and with
them he found the basis of what was afterwards
known in the army as the "noble old 9th Corps"
and which was so much feared by the enemy.
Franklin was sincere believer in the policy
that Il was Onr duty 10 fight and conquer the
enemy wherever we found him In arms but that
conscience and humanity demanded that we pro-
eci the detenseless and the innocent lie saw
that in the carly stages Of the officers were
too much inclined 10 yield to unuece, sary fears
and in aiming these fears to use such means as
brought distress upon the innocent. And be was
too deep thinker not TO know that justice and
moderation exercised in an cnemys country are
mRhteT weapons than the sword.
never saw man who had more honest and
outspOken contempt for hypocrisy in whatever
form it showed itself, and 50 free was he to rebuke
IL whenever IL interfered with the discipline Of
his men that several Of those selfish and perYersc-
minded domagogues who made II their business
TO misCOnstrue the acts OF Generals and cause dis
scntiOus among their men, began repayiag his
ToouEes by whispering doubts Of his patriotism.
Ard IL was q misfortune from which both the
army and the country suffered that the reckless
and the ignorant found attentive listeners IN high
places; and more especially wheu they had
charges TO make against Generals who refused to
sink the moTalltics of their manhood and carry
on the war after the fashion Of savages.
We are too apt 10 let our feelings predomiuate
while seeking n punishment for the errors OF
others, aud rarely respect that rule we would
apply 10 our own. Many Of the Southern people,
In entering the Rebellion, were either misguided
by their leaders or deluded by their ignorance.
They were not only hurried into wrong deeds,
but even fostered into wrong sentiments after
wards. And the rgfcCtiDg mind viii fud no dili-
Guilty in discovering how easy these things are
brought about under the influence Of that cupidity
or revenge which is so continually changing the
sentiments and actions Of the hum m heart.
franklin comprehended this gin its broadest
sense hence his anxiety TO deal out mercy TO the
innocent aud punish the guilty. He was rcspon
sibie to his country for his acts, aud in perform
ing his duty folt conscious that God Is the true
guardian Of all Just judgments, and, whatever
earthly rulers may do, He will mete out his
rewards 70 him who takes f0r his guides con-
science aud reason, truth and right. Aud from
such guides no amount Of political sopb,strie5
ever sWeIycd Franklin.