The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1865-03-09
oTTUMWA, IOWA, THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 1865

.RCH 9, 1865.
Hugh, Sherman and McCcok, were Ill Dem
ocrats, the latter beng an sctive local poll.
tician, and at one time elected Pr obste
Judge Of This county. The city being then
largely Democratic and somewhat pro.slave.
~, tho arm possessed considerable inliu.
ence.
A good story Is told Of Sherman's expert.
ence - counsel, and OF his dissolution Of
partnership to take the position held BY him
when tho war broke out-that ofprincipal
ofthe Military College Of Louisiana.
While IN the practice of the law here
Sherman was cnnsuMing partner, having an
almost insurmountable objection to plead
ing in cohrt He n accorded the possess.
ion, - lawyer, Of thorough knowledge
oflegal principles; clear. logical ,'ercep-
tion Of the points and equity involved in
any case. lie could present his views 10
the most direct msansr. stripped Of an var.
bisgs, yet perfectly az fait in the authori.
ties.
But to return to our story. Shortly after
the reception Of the Offer from the Govern.
or Of Louisiana, in relation to the college,
Sherman, was compelled to appear before
the Probate Judge- Gardner, We believe
Sherman. with his authorities and the case
I'll mapped out, proceeded TO court. He re-
turned in rage two hours after Some.
thing had gone wrong. He had beed petit.
fogged out of the case by Z sharp petty At
torney opposed to him. na way which was
disgusting to his intellect and his convic-
tions. His snsour prep~s was hurt, and
he swore that he would have nothing more
to do with the law in this State. That a..
ternoon the business vas closed. partner.
ship dissolved, and I, very short time
Sherman was on his way .ta ! more conge-
'nial cline and occupation. The war found
him in Louisiana. and in despite or his
strong pro-slavery opinions, found him an
intense and devoted patriot.
We met him here, and, though but
slightly acquainted, have remembered ever
since the impression be left on our mind
He spered himself to our perception, as the
most remarkable intellectual embodiment OF
force It had been our fortune TO sne,unter.
Once since we met him. in our lines before
Oorinth, where he had command Of the
right wing of Halleck's magnificent army
The same impression vss given then, com
bined with the idea Of nervous vitality. an
gularity Of character, and intense devotion
to what he had in hand. Sherman is truly
an idealist, even unto fanaticism, though, in
All probability, Il told 80, hs would abrupt
" retort back an unbelieving sarcasm. III
outlines himself to our memory as man o
middle stature. nervous muscular frame
with long. kecn head, sharply defnst
from th. forehead and back OF the ears
His eyes have blush. gray cast. and an in
troverted look. but full Of srnouldering FIRE
His zos<h is sharp and we'll cut; the lowe
part Of the face powerful. though not heavy
His complexion fair, hair and beard Of
sandy red, straight, short and stroae. Hi
temperament is nervous sanguine. aud he i
full Of crochets and preiuiices, which, how
ever, never stand in the way Of practical 70
suits. The idea. or rather object. which
rules him for the fine overrides every thins
else. Round the mouth we remenabss
CLEAN of saturnine humor. and in ths eve
lo'k of kindness which would attract I,
him che earessss of children.
Such are impressions left on our mind by
the only military educated member Of thi.
legal quartette--all If whom have held com
missions as Generals in the army.
Hugh Ewing went early into war, a
Colonel Of an Ohio'regiment, 10 which Stat,
he had returned before the rebellion. H
was soon promoted to Br,gadiership. III
has served heaossbly through most Of tn
campaigns in the central South. and Is now
we believe, in Kentucky. He has beel
wounded moro than snce.
Dan NcCook's o sms has yassed ints his
tory as one Of the. most gallant young liyel
offered - sacrifice TO secure American na
tionality. He WAS. We think. the secont
Captain mustered in from this State, in tn,
veteran lst Kansas, ss esrsy ss the begin
ming Of May 80. He was al through its q
moas Missouri campaign, under Lyon. Hi
friends here remember the jubilant expires
sion to which bis ambition gave vent wher
he first leit for the field: "Here's for Col
snefs epaulets or soldiers grave" III
knew not how prophetic was tho utte rance
He won the nrst and more, and the latte
Is now his lasting inheritance Of fame. Az
ter the regiment returned 10 Kansas, in tn
teA Of 1851, Captain Dan Was placed OF
staff dsty. We believe, witA one Of the Gen
erals McCook. then in Kentucky. Soon a.
ter he was prostratcd with sickness. On re
covering he raised and commanded the 52d
Ohio. For . long time be was acting Brig
adler, participating through al Rosecrans
famous campaigns Ia Tennessee. He VA
wounded, sad after promotion as Brigadier
ssturnsd to Ohio sick. where he died.
.As nan nay. hs ssasht = Assh
Pasvsd his truth By hs ssdsavsr;
Lea hin sleep - sols0a sight,
Aiop sorsvss cad sessver."
The remaining member Of the frm-Gsp
eaA Thomas Rving. Jr., IS too veil knows
to need particuhrixing by ua. The wal