Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-02-03
AN AMUSING LETTER-AM MAJOR GEN
ERAL WANTS A SITUATION.

The following letter, from recent Major
General in Sherman's army 10 friend in
st. Louis has been furnished TO the RepHbli-
.,G, of that city. The temper in which such
a man descends from high command and
addresses himself 70 the business Of making
aliving in the avocations ofpeace, as has been
done by thousands in<both armies, discloses
Il trait Of American character which is well
worthy of commentator;
DEAR GENERAL-I was meditating the
other day upon the mutability OF military
glory. and was forcibly impressed with the
idea that as / was soon 70 be elected from
the service of Mars, i had better be looking
around me for means TO produce the staff OF
life. or. in other words, j had better be
making unto me friends Of the mammon of
unrighteousness, so / might have shelter
when the Egis Of the military will have
been withdrawn from over my head. Know
inc Won 10 be a genius of infinite resource,
with heart like the universe, expansive, |
further thought / might induce You to aid
or advise me where TO go or what to do. A
third-rate clerkship in some retail grocery,
a partnership in the wood-sawing business,
where i could superintend while the other
members of the firm did the work, or POI
sition in some manufacturing establishment
where might do. as Beckwith used 10 term
IL. the heavy standing around. i am not so
fastidious as TO seek sinecures exclusively,
but prefer a position where l might do
GOOD deal of ordering, with little work and
hig paw. / would not object to being
silent partner in some prosperous con-
Germ where they need one, more than
thew do capital. II i had any po-
litical aspirations ] should ask your in
fiuence 10 secure me n first class mission
with a perpetual leave, something like the
Embassy al the @Court" OF Juarez, where
couId best represent my Government by re-
manning AT home. These things, however,
/ do not solicit, knowing the extraordinary
diplomatic ability required to fill them, and
appreciating my own unwortiness. 1t might
be possible. with your well known influence,
for me 10 secure the position OF Treasurer of
the "Finneeans," with the explicit under
standing that John Bull and the Canadian
Executive will 90 on my bond. think
Won might adiudicate the question. will
nromise 10 appoint - assistant, but this Is
eafre nous and insist upon issuing currency
that shall bear the colors of the native Isle.
In fact we could run greenback mill that
would render Il unnecessary for yon TO offer
any prayers, as / SHOULD buy the Island and
moor IL off St. Louis harbor, thus obviating
any necessity of sending forces to Erin. An
advantage of having the Isle located SO near
St. Louis. is readily observed when yon re-
fleet how valuable its proximity would be-
come ON election days. -
You NAV possible think that in asking
your advice am advising you, but such Is
not at all my intention. These are merely
suggestions that will at once awaken in your
prolific mind thousand plans, any one OF
which will reap honor and fortune everlast-
ing 10 any ex-General possessing the neces-
sarv Qualifications of little integrity and less
money. / would not be so proiane as TO
class myself with those who live ON their
wits. believing that the divine affiatus should
not be prostituted 10 the accumulation o.
filthy lncre. But 70 one who, like talstaff,
finds no remedy for consumption OF the purse
and scorns 10 live on his own wits, no alter
native is left but 10 live on the wits OF his
friends. Behold my predicament. Oh
thou prof6undest of philosophers, thou most
generous OF friends, thou giant of the great
heart let me have the light of thy wisdom
the outpourings of thy mind, and forever
more inscribe my name. among thy followers
A truce to folly--can You help a fellow
/ expect TO be mustered out soon and want
situation as an engineer or superintendent o.
a railroad, or some mining organization
where what knowledge i have of railroad
surveying, geology or chemistry may be Of
practical value to somebody.
Please write me, and oblige truly your
friend,