Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-02-19
Political.
nm MnnrSrY nE GRANr.


but. finally. on the Goth day Of February, 1864,
il received the sanction of both houses OF Congress
On the LIST Of March the President approved the
bill and nominated Grant to the Office, and ON the
% the Senate confirmed the most important APP
pointmcnt ever made in Amcr0a.
BY this bill 70 was provided that the grade Of
lieutenant general be- aud the same is hereby re-
vived in the army Of the United States Of Ameri-
ca and the President is hereby authorized WHEN
ever he shall deem it uxpedient, TO appoint, by
and with the advice and consent Of the Senate,
commander of the army. 10 be selected during the
war. from among those officers in the military ser.
vice Of the United : tatcs, not below the grad" Of
major general, most distinguished for courage,
skill and ability; and who, being commissioned
as lieutenant general shall be authorized, under
the direction of the President, TO command the
armies Of the Cniied States"
Grant bad but two predecessors in this exalted
rank. In i79S the grade was created for Wash
inrton, who held it but one year and upon bis
death it was discontinued tut conferred 10y bre,ct,
in 1855. upon Major General Winfield Scott.
The Government had neither favored or oppos-
ed the bill During the long debate IT'S influence
bad been entirely passive Apparently, The Al
ministraton had become convinced that, in purely
military matters, il was better for civilians not 10
attempt to interfere and the terrible responsible
~ thus sought 10 be- laid a single man. neither
the President nor his Cabinet assisted TO impose.
They simply left the matter in the hands Of the
representatives OF the people, and these, after full
consideration, decided by a majority that raised
the measure entirely out OF The domain Of poll
tics.
Grant himself used no influence wrote no line,
spoke no word, to bring about the result was
with him while the bill was being debated, and
spoke to him more than once on the subject. He
never manifested any anxiety even desire for
the success Of the bill nor did be ever seem to
shrink from the responsibilities it would impose
upon him. 1t the country chose to call him to
higher spheres and more important services, what
ever ability or energy he possessed be was willing
to devote to the task. If on the contrary be had
been left 81 the post which he then held, he would
not have felt pang Of disappointed pride.
The honorable Mr. Mashbmne SAID Of him,
during the debates on the bill: No man with
his consent has ever mentioned his name in CON
nection with any position. say what | know to
be true. when aege that every promotion he
has received since be first entered the service to
put down this rebellion was moved without his
knowledge or consent. And now in egard TO this
matter OF lieutenant general, after lie bill was IN
troduced, and his name mentioned in connection
herewith, he wrote me, and admuuishcd me that
he had been highly houored by the Government,
aud did not ask or deserve anything more in the
shape Of honors or promotion; and that success
over the enemy was what he cravcd above any
thing else that he only desired to hold such an
influence over those under his command as to use
them to the best advantage to secure that end"
On the I'd Of March llallcck sent the following
dispatch TO Grant The Secretary Of War d.
reefs that you will report in person to the War
Department as early practicable, considering
the condition of your command II Unnecessary you
will keep up telegraphig communication with your
command while en- route to Washington" The
next day Grant started for the capital.
AT the same time he sent instructions TO Sher-
man, now on his return from Meridian That
commander was directed TO use the negro troops,
as far as practicable. TO guard the Mississippi
er and, adding TO this element what he deemed
necessary for the protection OF the river ASSEM-
BILE the remainder OF his command at Memphis.
" Have them IN readiness TO join your column on
this front IN the spring compaign.' This was with
view TO the movement against Atlanta and Mo-
bile. which, notwithstanding his promotion, Grant
still intended to lead in person This operation
had now been frequently explained 10y him to his
staff.
1t was bis plan at this time to fight his way to
Atlanta, and then, holding that place and the line
between it and Chattanooga, to cut loose with his
army either for Mobile or Savannah, whichever
events should designate as the most practicable OBJ
jectve point Ilemeant to concentrate Sherman's
Thomas and SchoGeld's armies for this purpose,
and entertained doubt whatever Of entire sue
cess When he started for Washington it was his
firm intention to return to Chattanooga and, while
he retained control Of all the armies, to lead in
person those which moved toward the On
the Sd of March he said to sherman: " | am or.
dered to Washington but as am directed to keep
up Geographic communication with this command,
shall expect in the course Of ten or twelve days,
10 return TO it,
| carried these instructions to Sherman and
with them, also, the following extraordinary pri-
waite letter -
DEAR SHERMAN The bill reviying the grade Of
lieutenant general in the army has become a law,
uF1.NF INV ~
place. now receive orders to report to Washing
ton Immediately in person, which indicates a con
hrmntion ! start in the morning to comply with
the order. While have been emnen.ly successful
in this in at least gaining the confidence Of the
public, no one feels more than how much Of thi,
success is due to the energy skin, and harmonious
putting forth Of that energy and skill, of those WHOM
1t has been my good fortune 20 have occupying sub
ordinate positions under me. There are many Off
GERS TO whom these remarks are applicable, 10
greater less degree, prupOrtonate their abilit
as soldiers; but what want is to express my thank
90 you and Mcpherson, as the men to whom, allow
all others feel indebted for whatever have ha
OF success.
How far your advice and assistance have been o
help to me- you know. How far your execution o
whatever has been given to you to do entities yo
TO the reward am receiving, you cannot know a
well as l.
feel all the gratitude this letter should expires.
giving II the most fattering construction.
The word yoH | use in the plural, intending it 70
Mcpherson also l should wri.e to him, and vii
some day, but starting in the morning. do nc
know that viii find time Just now.
Your friend
L. s. GRANT, Major General.
Sherman received This letter near Memphis, o
the 10Th of March, and Immediately replied -
DEAR GENERAL II have your more than kin
and characteristic letter of the 4th inst. Twill sen
copy TO General Mcpherson at once.
You do yourself injustice and MS too much hono
in assigning TO us too large share OF the merit
which have led to your high advancement kno
you approve the friendship | have ever protested
you, and viii permit me to continue herctotor,
10 manifest it on all proper occasions.
You are now Washington's legitimate successor
and occupy position of almost dangerous elevation
but, If you can continue, as heretofore, 70 be your
self, simple honest, and uuprctending YOU will en-
JOY through life the respect ard love OF friends an
the homage Of millions Of human beings that wi
award you large share in securing 10 them an
their descendants a Government of law ami stabil
y
l repeat you do General Mcpherson and myse
TOO much honor. At Belmont you manifested you
traits, neither Of us being near. At D0ncson ais,
you illustrated your whole character. / was n,
near, and General Mcpherson il, too subordinate
capacity to influence you.
Until you had won D0nelson, confess was a
most cowed by the terrible array OF anarchlcal 81,
meuts that presented themselves at every point. b,
that admitted ray Of light have followed sine
believe you are rs brave patriotic and iu,t as ii
great prototype Washiugton-as unseldsh kin,
hearted, and honest rs a man should be- but a
chief characteristic is the simple faith in succe
you have always manifested which can likcn
nothing else than the faith a Christian has in n