Wyoming democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Wyoming Co., Pa.) 1867-1940, 1868-04-01
Wednesday, Apr. 1, 1868.
A Republican U. S. Senator on Gen'l
Grant

Grant.
In the United States Senate, May 9Th
1862, in reply to Mr.. Sherman, of Ohio
speaking of the battle of Pittsburg landing
Rev. Jas. Harlan, Senator from Iowa, said
From all that can learn on the sub
iect, | do think that General Gran: is Fl
to command great army in the field. ="
The Iowa troops have been in battle
repeatedly under the command of Genera
Grant. They have no confidence in his
capacity and fitness for the high position
he now holds. They regard him as the
author of the useless slaughter Of many
hundreds Of their brave comrades in arms
1t is not necessary, or is it right, to COM
pei them to serve under him. The speech
of the Senator from Ohio might, if unno
ticed, induce those in authority to continue
him in the field.
:" I understand he has been virtually
suspended, that he now really has no com.
mand, that each division and army corps
of the Western Department is under com.
mand of another General, and the whole
under the command Of General Halleck,
that General Grant is second in command
of the whole, which is, of course, merely
nominal. In my opinion he ought not to
have multiplied thousands of men placed
in his hands after the record which he has
made. And the only practical tendency
of that part of the speech of the; Senator
from Ohio, would be to induce the Presi-
dent to assign him an active command
This cannot consent to have done in
the presence Of my countrymen, MANNED
and slaughted, as | believe, through his
carelcssneSs or incompCtency. | say this
not on account Of any public or private
grievance of personal nature.
If my convictions are correct, ii
would be crime for me to remain silent,
and suffer influences to originate il the
Senate chamber which may result in re-
storing a General to an active command
whom l, and the people | in part repre-
sent, deem unworthy of such trust.
And he shall not with my consent be
continued to command. There is nothing
in his antercedents to justly further trial
of his military skill. At Belmont he COM
mitted an egregious and objectionable mil
itary blnder, which resulted in almost
annihilating an Iowa regiment.
At Fort DonelSon, the right wing of
our army, which was under his immediate
command, was defeated and driven back
several miles from the enemy's works.
The battle was restored by General Smith
the enemy's works were stormed, and thus
victory was fnalh won. And so on the
battle field Of Shiloh, his army was COM
pletely surprised as believe, from all the
facts / can procure, on Sunday, and no
thing but the bravery of the men fighting
by regiments and brigades saved the army
from utter destruction. The battle was
afterward restored and conducted by Gen
Buell. and other Generals, who came on
the field during the evening and night
and our forces ultimately succeeded in
completely routing the enemy. Now sil
with such record, those who continue
General Grant in an active command, will
in my opinion, carry on their skirts the
blood of thousands of their slaughtered
countrvmen. With nv convictions, car
neither do it myself, nor silently permit
others to do it See Congressiona
Globe /; I'd Session, Thirty-seventh Con-
gress, pages 2,036, and 2,037.)
Was not Senator Harlan right Did no
his misgivings come true? Do not those
who continue Gen. Grant tn active Com
mand crimson their skirts with the blood
of thousands and hundreds of thousands o
their slaughtered countrymen. Read the
history Of the reckless, cruel, objectionable
and brutal slaughter of hundreds thous
ands of their slaughtered countrymen il
the battle of the Wilderness so great wa
the slaughter of Northern soldiers, that j
has been truly said Grant entered Rich
nond orcr bridge of human bones. "
Verify the prediction of Senator Harlan
was fearfuIy verified.