Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1868-01-10

leck was ordered TO Washington to become
Goneral.in Chief, he Offered the command
of the Army Of the Tennessee TO Colonel
Robert Allen, a Quariermastcr OF great
ability, who declined the honor. This
fact Il new 10 US. but the statement Is on
the unquestonable authority OF Colonel
Allen himself. This was Halleck's last
slur upon Grant. After that the former
generally sustained the latter, hnding
perhaps. that Grant was man not easily
killed or put down. Grant thereupon as
sumed active command Of large terrific
rial department. stretching down the Mis-
sissippi as far as we had possession. For
time he was Obliged TO be on the defen
sive, and protect several important posi-
iions and limos Of railroad In Tennessee
and Northern Mississippi. The defense
OF Corinth against q dotermiged attack
was the main incident. The treachery OF
cowardice Of Colonel holding an import
ant position, and the non-fulfllment Of
orders by Rosecrans, were only saved from
leading to serious disaster by Grants ac-
tivity and skillful movements. Then be.
gan his dstrust Of Rosecraus, which was
deepened by subsequent events.
MOVEMENTS TOWARD vIcKsBURo.
The movements which preceded the
final campaign on Vicksburg we're numer-
Gus, aud cannot here DO alluded to. Grant
was incessant 10 his activity during all
this time. and would probably have sue
ceeded in his first movement from the
north, by land, but for the disgracelul and
needless surrender of the most important
post in his line Of operations by demor-
allied Colonel. To Grants troubles from
this source were added those occasioned
by political General, who had been his
subordinate, but had sufficient political
influence to obtain from the President a
promise that he should either supcrsede
independent expedition. Ilalleck, on
this occasion. fought this sort Of meddle-
some interference with Grants plans aud
operations. Responsible for the whole,
he was too much Of soldier to quietly
allow an important part of our operations
TO be sacrificed for poliilcal or personal
considerations. lie was overborne, how
ever, aud had TO submit, while Grant was
forced to endure the reproach arising
from the failure Of operations he could
not wholly control. II, indeed, the de-
s,ruc,ion Of Holly Springs, his secondary
base of supplies, compelled him TO give up
a hopeful overland campaign 10 the rear
Of Vicgsburg, he could have known the
subsequently learned possibility Of living
on the enemy, VIcksburg would have been
taken without much delay. But, as Col
Badeau says, mo experience Of former
wars, nor Of tho war Of the rebellion,
warranted him Ia supposine thsshs could
feed his army exclusively Ifotr'FSS codn.
try"
GRANTS niNbnAScEs.
Tho various unsuccessful attcm pts 10
take Vicksburg, which followed, need not
to bd mentioned, nor their causes inycsti.
gated. Grant had 10 contend with i'm.
menso physical obstacles; with diversions
OF troops on useless or unimportant expe.
ditionsi with the annoyance OF "indo.
pendent commanders; with tho failure Of
expected movements IN cooperation, aud
with all manner of other drawbacks. IL
was not until the goth Of January, 1868,
that ho gained full control aud immediate
command OF the expedition against Vieks
burg During tho lew months which
followed, the people and the Government
became impatient. Colonel Badeau says,
however, that when Mr. lincoln was urg.
cd 10 remove Grant, about this time, the
President replied: III rather like the man;
j thipk well Try him little longer but
for this persistent faith OF Mr. Lincoln,
McClernand would have been put IN
ofahts place
GRANT TAXING TiE REsPoSsihlLiTf'
While tho country was we'll nigh hope
loss OF the capture OF Vicksburg, Grant
malnrod new plan OF operations, as bril-
liant and daring US the history OF war 70.
cords, which was no less than to slip be'
low the fortress, make landing, cut loose
from supplies and communications, aud
invest Vicksburg from the rear, IL Is the
best proof OF his singular mental nerve
and forti,ude that, although, after sub
mittiug this plan to such daring soldiers
ns Sherman, MCPHERSON ana Logan, nc
was met with opposition, he still persisted.
sherman even went SO far as TO submit
written protest, couched IN the iflopdiiest
terms, but all tho more entitled TO respect
on this account. This is fact which has
long been known Ia Western army circles,
but has never before been made public.
indeed, but for Sherman's magnaninous
disclosure alter the capture OF Vicksburg,
when the brilliant success was attributed