Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1865-03-17
SPICY INTERVIEW BETWEEN GEN. SIBERIAN
AND THE BRITISH CONSUL AT SAVANNAH.

4 correspondent of the New York Herald says
The extraordinary success with which General
Sherman has conducted his campaign during the
last nine months has secured for him the affections
ofthe American people beyond that OF any other
military officer. He has become as popular as
military officer, as Vice Admiral Faragut has as a
naval commander Anything relating to him is
therefore interesting Through an officer in his
command, recently arrived, 1 have obtained the
circumstances of an amusing scene said TO have
taken place between Ge-eral Sherman and the
British Consul at Savannah, which to say the least
is characteristic of that officer well as the self
sufficient style Of her Mjesty's officials in the
South
On the arrival of General Sherman at Savannah
he saw a large number of British flags displayed
from buildings, and had a curiosity to know how
many British consuls there were there. He soon
ascertained that sthese flags were on buildings
where cotton had been stored away, and at once
ordered it to be seized Soon after that, while the
General was bugiy engaged at his headquarters,
a pompous gentleman walked in, apparently in
great haste, and inquired if he was General Sher-
man Having received an affirmative reply, the
pompous gentleman remarked that when he left
his residence, United States troops were engaged
IN removing his cotton from it, when It was pEotec
ted by the British flag.
.'Stop sir, said General Sherman, mot your
cotton sir, but my cotton my cotton, in the name
of the United States government, sir. / have mo-
ticed, continuedthe General, "a great many Brit
isk flags here, all protecting cotton; have seized
it all in the name of my government.
SsBut sir, said the consul Indignantly, there Is
scarcely any cotton in Savannah that does not be-
long to me.
FFThere is not a pound of cotton here that does
not belong to me, for the United States, respon-
ded Sherman
swell, SIR said the Consul swelling himself up
with the dignity Of his Office and reddening In his
face ''my government shall hear ofthis, shall re-
port your conduct to my government, SIR.
"Ah Pray who are you, Sir, said the Gen
eral.
"Consul to her British Majesty, sir.
"Oh, indeed respond the General. Il hope
you will report me to you oyernment. You will
please say to your government for me, that have
been fighting the English government all the way
from the Ohio river to Vicksbarg, and thence to
this point. AT every step / have encountered
British arms, British munitions Of war, and Brit
sh goods of every description, at every step, sir
[ have met them sir, in all shapes and now sir, |
find you claiming all the cotton, sir. intend to
call upon my government to order me to Nassau
at once.
ssWhat do You propose to do there, asked the
Consul somewhat taken aback.
81 would, replied the General, take with me
quantity of picks and shovels, and throw that
cursed sand hill into the sea, sir. You may tell
your government that | would shovelit into the
sea, sir, and then would pay for it, sr-if neces
sary Good day, sir.
It's needless to add that General Sherman was
not again troubled with the ocious representative
of her Majesty government.