The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-06-10
The Formal Reception.

The Formal Reception.
Punctually at II O'Clock, the hour announ-
ced for his appearance, the general was to
be seen approaching the fair. On the One
side walked Hon. John B. Rice, mayor of
the city, and on the other Mr.. L. b. Bryan,
chairman of the executive committee OF the
fair. Behind them walked q long procession
of notables, civil and military. The people
oongregsted on the street cheered vociferous-
" as he came along. The general seemed to
scarcely see the enthusiasm. He walked
straight on, talking with the two gentlemen
who accompanied him, never counting ap-
plause; but always acknowledging, with
soldierly and dignifed courtesy, the heartfelt
plaudits that were poured upon him.
THE GENERAL ENTERS THE FAIR.
On entering the fair, the general was con-
Quoted at once to the platform at the south
end of the building, where large number OF
influential citizens of Chicago were waiting
to give him heartfelt welcome.
HOW lie WAS RECEIVED.
He was received at the top of the stairs by
the three recording secretaries of the fair,
Mrs Hoge, Mrs. Livermore and Mrs. Hos
mer, With these ladies Gen. Sherman shook
hands cordially, and then received and &C.
knowledged very briefly and unostatiously
the welcomes accorded to him by the other
gentlemen and ladies who had been privil-
edged to gain positions on the platform.
ON THE PLATFORM.
He led by the hand his bright looking lit
tie boy Tommy-nOw corporal In the Unit
ed States army-and was followed by the
mayor, who gave his hand to an equally in
telligent looking girl, who could also look
proudly to the famous general as her father.
Accompanying the mayor was Hon. L. G,
Sherman, ex-mayor of che city, Mr.. I. B.
Bryan, Mr. George c. Bates, and the com.
mittse of reception of the board of trade,
consisting of the following gentlemen Col.
s. n. Hancock, Messrs. S. j. Williams, r.
McChesney. E. G. Wolcost, w. n. Brainard,
W. D. Houghteling, and John T. Beatty,
secretary,
A large number ofladies graced the plat
form, and had the pleasure of shaking hands
with the general. Among the gentlemen
who waited for him, were Right Rev. Bishop
Duggan, Rev. Dr. J. McGoyern. Rev. DR..
Tiffany, Judge J. B. Bradwell. Maj. L. NJ.
Dayton, A. A. G. of Gen. Sherman's staff,
Brig. Gen. Sweet Lieut.. Col. Skinner, Lieut.
Col. Flood, Col. Ezra Taylor. Capt, Shurly,
A. A. g., Col. johnson, of Rock Island, Col.
Sprague, of Wisconsin, and number of
others.
THE MULTITUDE BENEATH THE PLATFORM.
When all the formal introductions and
congratulations, which took place on the
platform, were over, time was afforded for
looking down upon the multitude beneath
the platform. The people came surging In
from every ball, when it was known that the
general was present. The whole large vista
presented one sea of upturned faces, and all
waited expectantly for the hero of the time
to stand forward and address them
A PERSONAL SKETCH.
Gen. Sherman sat down quietly in his
chair, and waited till sufficient silence had
been obtained for the first speaker to be
heard. 1t Was then that one could study the
physiognomy of this hero of hundred fights.
A countenance beaming with Intelligence
and spirit, but expressing at the same time
an entire absence of ostentation, or selt-eon
sciousness-fuli of kindness and generosity,
yet OF times, even as he sat in that hall,
the clouds passed over it, leaving behind
them the successive lights and shadows,
showing glimpses of q sternuess and deserm
ination before which the boldest might quail
such appears, at first sight, the noble
countenance of Gen. w. I. Sherman. When
he looked up, his eyes seemed loopholes thro'
which one could look for moment into q
radient expanse, an illimitable but illumina-
ted world of genius. His bronzed counten-
ance told of the hardships and tolls of the
last few years of his life. The burrows
ploughed across his brow indicated some
thing of the tremendous cares of the weighty
responsibility that had hardened for years
that active brain. If there is truth in ,,hre-
nology, that brain must be one If the most
perfectly developed that any student of the
science has ever considered. So strong he
seems, 30 stern, and at the same time 80 over
flowing with generosity and benevolenoe, so
courageous and so unassuming, so chlvalrous
and 80 faithful.
ESQ true, so brave a lamb at home,
A lion in the chase
he stands out before the world as one of the
most perfect men of the present era.
The mayor, in the name of the citizens.
gave him welcome. Then Mr.. Bates recited
q eulogistic poem, written for the occasion.
TIE hero listened to the first which was
spoken in such true aud earnest manner
that it became almost eloquent, with atten
ton and seeming pleasure. Then the poem
was read. and, when that was done, the i'm
patient audience had at last the qualification
of seeing the general stand forward. There |
arose from all parts of the hall q ringing |
cheer, an unanimous outburst of feeling such |
as has seldom been heard in this city. Il |
seemed as If the assemblage had reserved |
themselves for him to make his appearance
before they would demonstrate themselyes-t
There were cheers at several climaxes in the /