The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-06-10
Inspection Of the Fair.

Icheers1
Inspection Of the Fair.
The cheers of the multitude, in the hall be
low, were still ringing aloud, when General
Sherman, as ifrelieved from an arduous du-
ty,manifested desire to escape. He did not
seem altogether at his ease on the platform.
Great deeds are his vocation, and not great
words. The Achilles of the war, he does not
seek to be his own Homer; of all men, the
hero of Georgia and the Carolinas is least
disposed to.blow his own trumpet. He had
felt it to be his duty to speak few words to
the people, and he did it right modsstly and
well. That duty performed, he refreshed in
good order, as if congratulating himself upon
his escape. But he little new what trials
were in store for him.
OBSTACLES IN THE WAY.
In the first place he had to endure the
compliments and innumerable introductIons
with which his friends on the platform as
sailed him. A hundred hands were extended
towards him, and hundred corresponding
names were poured at once into his ear
There were numbers of clergymen around
him, who, to judge from their eager desire to
push themselves into his way, were ready to
bestow n prayer, or even an hours sermon,
upon his devoted head. To these, as to all
| others, he extended a willing hand but it
was his great aim, apparently, to retire as
quickly as possible from the scene. He was
surrounded on all sides, aud harrsssed in the
| rear, but, by dint of gentle energy and push
ing. he at length reached the head of the
| stair leading to the body of the hall.
Here he was, so to speak, taken in charge
by Mr.. Thomas B. Bryan, who with long
| cane in his hand and the look of an unusual
determination fixed on his countenance, re
| solved to pioneer the general through the for.
| midable army who waited to receive him in
the hail. Then began the real difficulty Of
the days campaign. A scene ensued which
! it would be impossible adequately to convey
| Gen. Sherman had undergone many trial,
aud haI brave, encountered and overcome
many obstacles; but in al his career, per
haps, he never faced such difficulty be
| fore.
| "Through many battle he had been,
And many dreadful army seen;
Bnt never aught like this.''
HAND SHAKING.
| On reaching the foot of the stairs the gen
eral was met by dense mass of men, women
| and children, heAving and swaying 10 anC
fro, all pressing madiy to the spot where hi
| honored head was visible, and each extend
ing his had to welcome the veteran. Ii need
ed all the enegy of Mr.. Bryan, with hi
wand of Office to clear a little space in iron
| of the general in order to let him proceed =
But it would have required very stron,
armed body guard indeed 20 preserve hin
| from the side thTusts, and the crushing ant
squeezing from behind. He seemed 10 10 III
nuceus Of n comet, the tail Of which stretche,
all around the hall.
From behind him, from every side of him
and IN front IF him, were held out q myriad
Of hands all OF which had to be shaken by tn,
general before he could proceed another stem
| People who could not attract his attention
squeezed through the mass to touch even tn
| hem of his garments women held up thei
little children to be kissed; young girls mad,
| their way to the spot where he stood, with
flushed faces and adoring looks. as if they
could have fallen down on their knees aul
worshiped him war worn veterans will
| manned limbs and scared faces, who Ia,
fought aud bled by his size in many a wei
fought field. stood in the way with tears /!
their eyes TO witness his triumph and grasl
once more the beloved hand; while old wo
men, who might have looked upon the herOe
of independeuceleaued on their crutches " hilt
he passed. toreceive IA friendly salutation from
a greater than they, before passing from tn
earth. To all and each, the general extende,
| kindly hand- lie naQ friendly word 10
al, -afectionately kissing the little children
speaking kindly to the old. and loosely re
tortiEg to all the merry greetings that wer
bestowed upon him from every SIDE. 1t wa
worth lifetime to be the object of such uni
versal gratitude and love, so heartfelt and s.
spontaneous.
THE LADIES.
When he had reached about the middle o
hall, a great number of ladies who had beer
waiting his arrival, pressed IN BODY anC
effectually surrounded him. He was not yer,
sure as to whether their intention was to fai
upon his mech, or simply to shake hands with
hun, and for ssme time he dubiated as e
what course to pursue. Retreat was impos
sible, and TO break the lines might not hav,
heen safe policy. For once in his life Gen
Sherman was not master of the situation -
| Presently q voice exclaimed: Considerable
| breast works to storm there, general" III,
gave a quiet smile as if he now saw wa,
through the difficulty. One fair haired younl
girl came forward and, holding her heaC
bashfully down before him, mentioned some
thing about her father. The general put hi
arms around her, and bestowing upon hel
lips an audible smack, passed through tn,
lines in triumph.