Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1865-10-17
TUESDAY, OCTOBER il, 1856
GRANT AND SHERMAN.
What They Thought of Each Other
Important Letters Between Them.

The following two historical letters ar,
taken from the advance sheets of Colone
Bowmnn's history of fisherman and hii
Campaign" shortly to be published by C
B. Richardson, of New York. Colonel
Bowman writes;
GENERAL GRANT TO GENERAL SHERMAN
On the 4th of March, 1864, at Nashville,
Major General Grant received telegraph
orders to report in person at Washington.
! Congress had passed an act authorizing
the appointment of Lieutenant General
30 command the armies of the United
States, and the President nominated Gen
eral Grant for the appointment Before
starting ON his journey, Grant seized his
pen, and in the very moment of his great
est elevation, filed with generosity toward
those others, to whose exertions he mod
estly chose to ascribe his own deserved re-
ward, hastily wrote these touching lines
"DEARSHERMAN The bill reviving the
grade of Lieutenant General in the army
has become law, and my name has been
sent to the Senate for the place. l now
receive orders to report to Washington i'm
mediately in person, which indicates con-
frmation, or likelihood of confirmation,
81 start IN the morning to comply with
the order.
whilst l have been eminently success
full in this wax, in at least gaining the con-
tidence of the public, no one feels more
than l how much of this success is due to
the energy, skill, and the harmonious put
ting forth ofthat energy and skill, of those
whom 1t has been my good fortune to have
occupying subordinate positions finder me.
"There are many officers TO whom these
remarks are applicable, to greater or less
degree, prOportionate to their ability as
soldiers; but what l want is to express
my thanks to you and Mcpherson, as the
men to whom, above all Others feel in
debted for whatever 1 have had of sue
cess.
"How far your advice and assistance have
been of help to me, you know. How far
your execution of whatever has been given
you to do entities ycH TO the reward am re-
ceiving, yon cannot know as well as 1.
II feel all the gratitude this letter would
express, giving it tho most hattering con-
struction,
"The word you, use in the plural, in
tending it for Mcpherson also. I should
write to him, and will some day, but start
ing in the morning, do not know that l !
will find time just now. Your friend,
"U. S. GRANT, Major General"
GENERAL sHERNAN's REPLY.
Sherman received this letter near Mem |
phis on the 10th of March, and immedi-
ately replied:
DEAR GENERAL: 1 have your more
than kind and characteristic letter of the
4th instant. will send copy to General
at oitce
You do yourself injustice and us too
much honor in assigning to us too large a
share of the merits which have led to your
high advancement. know you approve
the friendship l have ever expressed to
you, and will permit me TO continue, as
heretofore, to manifest it on all proper oc-
casions.
|" Yon are now Washington's legitimate
successor, and occupy q position of almost
dangerous elevation; but if you can con-
.inue as heretofore TO be yourself, simple
honest and unpretending, you will enjoy
through life the respect and love of friends
and the homage of millions of human be-
ngs that will award you large share in
securing to them and their descendants a
government of law and stability.
" l repeat, YOU do Geueral Mcpherson
md myself too much honor. At Bel
mont you manifested your traits-neither
If us being near. At Donelson, also you
Illustrated your whole character. l was
lut near, and General Mcpherson in too
n capacity to itdhefice you.
"Untii YOU had won Donelson, 1 con-
iess was almost cowed by the terrible
rray of anarchical elements that present.
ID themselves at every point; but that
admitted ray of light l have followed
ince.
{" I believe you are as brave, patriotic
sid just as the great prototype, Washing
unselfsh, kind-hearted and honest
Is man should Se-but the chief char
let9ristic is the simple faith in success you
lave always manifested, which l can
iken to nothing else than the faith
Christian has in the Saviour.
"This faith gave you victory at Shiloh
md Vicksbufg. Also, when you have
your preparations, you go into
battle without hesitation, as at Chatta-
iooGa-nO doubts, no reserves; and tell
you, It was this that made us act with con-
idence. l knew, wherever was, that
you thought Of me, and if l got in tight
place You would help me out if alive.
''My only point of doubt wBs, ir your
knowledge of grand strategy, and ofbooks
5f science and history; but, L confess, your
common sense seems to have supplied all
these.
"Now as to the future. Don't stay in
come West; take to your
self the whole Mississippi Valley. Let us
make Il dead sure, and l tell you the At
Iaitic slopes and the Pacific shores will
follow its destiny, as sure as the limbs of
tres live or die with the main trunk. We |
have done much, but still much remains. |
Time and Times influences are with US.
We could almost afford to sit still and let !
these influences work.
'Here lies the seat, Of the coming en-
pire; and from the West, when our task |
IS dome, we will make short work of |
Charleston and Richmond, and the impov-
erished coast of the Atlantic.
Your sincere friend.