Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1868-06-05
Gen. Sherman's Opinion of Gen. Grant
Interesting Correspondence.

AAOSA ~SO-0 -S~FO~~~-~S~'
1aIft
WE reproduce below the correspondence
between General Grant and General Sher-
man in relation to the appointment of
the former in the winter of 1864, as Lieu
tenant General. 1t was published in our
columns when it first appeared, but will
be new to many of our readers, and OF
interest to all in view of the nomination
of General Grant for President, and the
light which this correspondence throws
upon his character as man. Gen. Grant
having been appointed Lieutenant General,
was ordered to Washington. Immediately
before setting out on his journey, on the
4th Of March, 1864, he sent the following
private letter by Col. Badeau, of his staff,
who was dispatched with instructions to
General Sherman:
"DEAR SHERMAN-The bill reviving
the grade Of Lieutenant General in the
army has become a law, and my name has
been sent to the Senate for the place. l
now receive orders to report to Washing
ton Immediately, IN person, which indi-
Gates confirmation or likelihood of con-
firmation. / start in the morning to COM
ply with the order. While I have been
eminently successful 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
harmoniously putting forth that energy
and skill, of those whom it has been my
good fortune to have occupying positions
under me- There are many officers to
whom these remarks are applicable, to a
greater or less degree, proportionate to
their ability as soldiers; but what want
is to express my thanks to you and Nc
Pherson, as the men to whom, above all
others, I feel indebted for what have had
of success.
"How far your advice and assistance
have been of help to me, you know. How
far your execution of whatever has been
given to you to do entities you to the re-
ward am receiving, you cannot know as
we'll as I. -.
II feel all the gratitude this letter should
express, giving it the most fattering con-
structiOn.
"The word you use in the plural, in.
tending it for Mcpherson also. I 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 General"
Sherman received this letter near Mem
phis on the 10th, to which he Immediately
replied: ,,. -, o,o
than kind and characteristic letter OF the
4th instant. will send copy to General
Mcpherson at once.
"You do yourself injustice, and us too
much honor, in assigning us too large
share of the merits which have led to
your high advancement. I know you ap-
prove the friendship have ever professed
to you, and will permit me to continue, as
heretofore, to manifest it on all proper oc-
casions
"You are now Washingtons legitimate
successor, and occupy position OF almost
dangerous elevation but, if you can con-
tinue, as heretofore, to be yourself, simple,
honest and unpretending you will enjoy
through life the respect and love OF friends,
and the homage of millions of human be-
ings that will award you large share in
securing to them and their descendants
government of law and stability.
II repeat, you do General Mcpherson
and myself too much honor. At Belmont
you manifested your traits, neither OF US
being near. Q At Donelson, also, you illus
trated your whole character. was not
near, and General McP Pherson in too subor-
dinate capacity to influence you.
"Until you had won Donelson, l confess
I was almost cowed by the terrible display
of anarchical elements that presented
themselves at every point but that adj
mitted a ray of light l have followed
since. believe you are as brave, patriotic,
and just as the great prototype Washing
tomas unselfish, kind hearted, and honest
as man should be, but the chief charac-
teristic is the simple faith in success you
have always manifested, which / can liken
to nothing else than the faith Christian
has in the Savior. 4.--,,r s.,.s.,....,,-,s. I
"This faith gave you victory at Shiloh
and Vicksburg. Also, when you have
completed your best preparations you go
into battle without hesitation, as at Chat
tanooga-no-doubts no reserves; and
will tell you it was this that made us act
with confidence. knew, wherever was,
that you thought of me- and, If got in
tight place, you would helps me out if
alive
"My only point of doubt was in your
knowledge of grand strategy, and of books
of science and history; but, I confess, your
common sense supplied all these.
"Now, as to the future. Don't stay in
Washington. Come West; take to your
self the whole Mississippi Valley. Let us
make it dead-sure, and / tell you the Attain
SlOpCS duO dCluC WILL lOlOW loo
destiny as sure as the limbs of tree live
or die with the main trunk. We have done
much, but still much remains. Time, and
times influence are with us. We could
almost afford to sit still and let those in
fluences work. af
"Here lies the seat of the coming en-
pire; and from the West, when our task is
done, we will make short work Of Charles
ton and Richmond and the impoverished
coast of the Atlantic.
"Your sincere friend,
tk WaI II SuERHIA N " :