The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-11-20
General Grants Native MOdeSty.
TO THB EDITOR OF THE HERALD.

NEW YORK Nov. 1S 1885,
Anumber Of incidents exhibiting the native modcsty
of Lieutenant General Grant have from time y time
found their way into the public journals Of the day
PROPOSE with your leave to call the attention of the
people two bearing strongly Upon this point
Tho first that SHALL mention is the public
but has not received that notice which it merted The
second Of private character and yet found
place before the ego Of the nation.
When whether Justly otherwise II is part Of
this communication dscuss) tho whole country seemed
ready to heap abuse upon the head of General Sherman
for the terms granted by him to Johnston commanding
that portion the rebel army which surrendered him.
and the President and Cabinet directed General Grant
hasten South TO counermand the orders issued by Gen.
erai Sherman based upon the terms Of the armist"e,
the whole land ready to the hero of the South
west utterly annihilated, in military point of view
by the commanding general. Had all our expectations
and fears in this respect been fully realized had General
Grant, In mild and gentlcmanly manner The could not
otherwise toward any human beng) relieved General
sherman and have taken upon himself the adjustment OF
the difficulties with Johnston or the managing Of further
would or could have blamed him To the surprise Of
every person. and the relief and admiration OF all Of
who love General Sherman, he did nothing Of the sort
The eager watching expectation OF the people graft
fled most heartily by the modest despatch TO the Prcsi.
dent, in substance IL not the exact words, as follows
Johnston has surrendered General Sherman the
same terms that were granted TO Lee"
Thus we were all enabled to breathe freely
and from that hour, when the great heart Of General
Grant became the resting place for the wcarcd tempest
tossed mal,gued head Of sherman the latter resumed
his proper place in the affections Of the people
A little mind would have seized with avdity such
opportunity for eclpsng tho glory OF another of his
profession Not with General Grant He Aas no
pride, jealousy 10 crafty, and IL did him good
relieve his brother officer from obloquy than from
command OF his gallant army; hence his action. Il
stands however in history without Its in military
etiquette.
About one year since the writer hereof spent
ing with Lieutenant General Grant nj his home In Bur
1ngon, N. j. The General his wife, his children and
composed the whole company In the course Of the
conversation remarked that had stated TO Of my
friends in Philadelphia few days before that he was
held the rank of Lieutenant General in our army, and
that they willing to accept OF the statement
being correct. When l ceased speaking all was quiet,
the General making reply. then p2t the question
directly before him thus-Was or wash not corrcctf
This brought answer.
eyes, said the General ''you correct"
Mrs. Grant said, "You have forgotten General Scott,
my dear"
"No, he replied, "General SCOTS commission is by
breyet."
Thus FOR the first time, she became aware that her
husbands commission outrankcd that Of the hero Of
iundys Lane and OF the Mexican war Had II not been
never have made the discovery.
Now, Just look at this Incident for moment. The
case Of by virtue OF personal merit being place
In position occupied by other but the Father Of
his Country not 10 be sufficiently claed with the honor
thereof TO whisper his qualification his own wife even
IN the privacy OF their chamber challenges the world
for Us equal IN modcsty