The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1865-11-02

LIEUT.-GENERALsHIP WAS RE-CREATED.
The following two historical letters are
taken from advance sheets of Col Bow
mans history of "Sherman and his Cam
paigns," shortly to be published by c. B.
Richardson, of New York =
GEN. GRANT TO GEN. SHERMAN.
On the 4th of March, 1864, at Nash
vile, Maj. Gen. Grant received telegraph
orders to report in person at Washington.
Congress had passed an act authorizing
the appointment of Lieutenant General
to command the armies of the United
States, and the President had nominated
Gen. 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
estiy chose to ascribe his own deserved
reward, hastily wrote these touching
lines:
"DEAR SHERMAN The bill reviving
the grade of Lieutenant-G General in the
army has become law, and my name has
been sent to the Senate for the place. |
now receive orders to report to Washing
toIr Immediately in person, VI hich indicates
confirmation, or likelihood Of confir-
nation.
81 start in the morning to comply with
the order.
"Whilst [ have been eminently sue
cesstul IN this war, In at least gaining the
confidence of the public, no one feels more
than how much of this success is due to
the energy, skill, and the harmonious put
ting forth of that energy and skill, of those
whom 1t has been my good fortune to have
occupying subordinate positions under me.
There are many officers to whom these
remarks are applicable, to greater or less
degree, proportionate to their ability as
soldiers but what / want is to express
my thanks to you and Mcpherson, as the
men to whom, above all others, feel in
debted for whatever [ have had of euc-
cess.
GLOW 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 you to the reward
L am receiving, you cannot know as we'll
as [.
II feel all the gratitude this letter
would express, giving it the most fatter-
ing construction.
'The word you [ use in the plural,
intending it for Mcpherson also. | 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- eneral"
GENERAL sHERMAN'S REPLY.
Sherman received this letter near Mem
phis on tho 10Th Of March, and immedi-
ately replied:
"DEAR GENERAL I have your more
than kind and characteristic letter of the
4th instant. [ will send copy to Gen
eral Mcpherson at once.
"You do yourself injustice and us too
much honor in assigning to Us too large
share of the merits which have led TO
your high advancement. | know you to
approve the friendship | have ever pro-
fessed to you, and will permit me to con-
tinue, as heretofore, to manifest it on all
occasions.
'You are now Washington's legitimate
successor, and occupy position of almost
dangerous elevation; but if you can con-
tinue, as heretofore, to be yourself, elm
pie, honest, and npretending, you will |
enjoy through life the respect and love of |
friends, and the homage of millions of
human beings that will award you large
share in securing to them and their de- |
scendants a government Of law and sta |
bility.
81 repeat, you do General Mcpherson
and myself too much honor. At Belmont
you manifested your traits of US
being near. At Donelson, also, you illus
trated your whole character. | was not
near, and General Mcpherson in too sub
ordinate capacity to influence you.
"Until you had won Donelson, confess
was almost cowed by the terrible array
Of anarchical elements tnat presented
themselves at every point but that ad-
mitted a ray of light [ have followed
since
'T believe you are as brave. patriotic,
and just as the great prototype, Washing
5on-as unselfsh, kind-hearted, and hon
est as man should be-but the chief
is the simple faith in sue
cess you have always manifested, which [
can liken to nothing else than the faith
Christian has in the Savior.
"This faith gavo you victory at Shiloh
ind Vicksburg. Also, when you have
completed your preparations, you go into
he battle without hesitation, as at Chat
anooga-no doubts, no reserves; and
ell you, it was this chat made us act with
confidence. l knew, wherever was, that
you thought of me, and if got in tight
place you would help me out, if alive.
"My only point of doubt was, in your
of grand strategy, and of books
e eo;oooo ord b;ctor,r. Inf oonfoso