The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1866-04-03
MAI. GEN. JOHN w. GEARY.
How, when and Where ne has Served
his Country during the Slave
holders Rebellion.
HIS POSITION IN HISTORY.


candidate for Governor the honor oflaying
before our readers portion of the his
tory of his legislative career. Mr.. Clymer
deserves this much at our hands, because
be has been an outspoken man in all his
sympathies for treason. 1t is now due
that we give history a hearing so far as the
Union Republican candidate for Governor
is concerned
In Reading "Sherman's march through
The South" We have thought it worth
while to note the following illusions to
Gen. Geary. The writer. being a New
Yorker and correspondent of the Herald,
cannot well be suspected of partiality to a
Pennsylvanlan, and particularly to one
of Gen. Geary's political connection
Speaking of Gen: Logan, be says
''There are men who are soldiers BY
inspiration. Logan is one. Geary, too,
was civilian General, and won fame and
reputation upon field after feld-upon the
bloody crest Of Lookout Mountain, upon
rugged cliffs of Mill lCreek-through every
action that many trained West Point
veteran should feel proud Of Of civilian
soldiers, be and Logan stand amid the
foremost.
Again in one of the sklrmi5hes-more
properly battles-around Dallas and al.
latooDa, the rebels made a fierce attack on
Gen. Williams division, " hich.. was barely
able to hold its position, the ammunition
being nearly exhausted and the troops
wagering when
= "Geary's white Star Division formed
in three lines aud advanced to the support.
Geary reserved bis fire until close upon
the enemy, and then poured deadly vol
ley into them which made them waver."
At KeneSaw and Lost Mountain, du-
ring three days fgting,
awe captured large number of prisoners
In all about two thousand. Geary, in
his assault, captured about one half of
thss3." .I ..
Iu the last battle before Atlanta was
surrendered,
''the first of Hoods desperate assaults, ,and
for which he paid dearly"
Geary took a prominent and active part.
"When, at the close of Sherman's
matehless "march to the sea- he had in
vested Savannah, he iatimated to his
commanders that the first ofthem to enter
the city should be made its military Gov
ernor. Hardee was summoned to surrender
che city, but the braggart answered that
be had plenty of supplies aud men and
could hold out as long as he chose. Only
three nights after, he sneaked away
Geary always wide awake, suspecting the
movement, ordered his division under arms
aud advanced his pickets. Pushing ou
further without opposition, crawling
through the abattis and foundering thro'
dikes aud bitches, he scaled the first line
of works and found it deserted. Here he
was met by the Mayor and citizens, who
formally surrendered the city. AS he had
fairly earned, he received, as promised by
Sherman, the Governorship of Savannah.
The writer here takes occasion to speak of
Cur Gubernatorial candidates ability as an
-.- . EXECUTIVE OFFICER.
t"Gen. Geary has had great experience
both as a soldier and as an executive
officer. Iu his former character his name
has been prominent before the country
In the latter | mean to treat him now.
HHe was long the alcalde of San Fran
cisco, and subsequently mayor. His firm
administration as Governor of Kansas, In
troublous times, helped much to tranquilze
the disafected there. He has firm ad-
ministrative abilities, is a man of great
force of character. and resolution, and of a
kind, accessible disposition. He patiently
listens to the complaints and entreatiss of
all, but administers justice with firm,
impartial hand.
"His Government of Savannah gave
great satisfaction and when Gen Sher-
man vas about commencing his campaign
through Carolina,a deputation of the most
respectable citizens waited On him, re-
questing him to leave Gen. Geary in COM
mand of the. city. Gen. Sherman could
not we'll spare so active an officer from the
field aud therefore declined.
"Gen. Geary and the officers of his
staff will be long aud kindly remembered
in Savannah for their upright admins
tratioo and courteous behavior to all par
ties.
"He did all in his power to encourage
the citizens to establish friendly relations
tauards the Federal Government. and to