The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1868-06-02


Of the Potomac under its successive
commanders lay on the banks of the
Rappahannock, and fought the ill-fated
battles of Fredericksburg and Chancel-
lorsville, while Grant and Sherman were
quietly working out their plans on the
Mississippi and the Yazoo. When Lee
moved northward in the Spring and
Summer of 1868, and Meade was ena-
bled to gain his great victory at Gettys-
burg, the capitulation of Pemberton ad-
ded Vicksburg to Gettysburg in the
associations connected with the ever
glorious Fourth of July. In detailing
the appointments of Major g Generals
which had been made in the regular
army, Grant once modestly said; ''Af-
ter the capitulation of Vicksburg was
added" as if himself unconscious of
the Importance of an event that had
given the army leader who, conquered
peace for the country, and makes him
ID day the candidate Of the great Repub
llca4, pasty for President, an Office which
he would not desire were not the people
intent on giving him this last mark OF
their confidence aud esteem.
One who was within the Rebel lines
during the Invasion of Pennsylvania in
1863, was told by an arrogant South
erner, whose deserted home was near
the spot where Grants army lay, that
the dark and fetid waters OF The Yazoo
would destroy his men even if there
were no intrenohed enemy in trout 20
pick them off in detail. But the same
fash OF the lightning that brought the
news of Meade's victory at Gettysburg
brought word of Pemberton's defeat at
Vicksburg. AS reward for this vic
tory, Grant, in his own modest words,
was added to the Major Generals already
appointed for the reg ular army, but un-
like the time when he was commissioned
Major General of Volunteer, no for
tune now could doom him to inactivity.
Before he was ordered to assume COM
mand at Chattanooga, after the unfor-
tunate battle of Chickamauga, President
Lincoln wrote him characteristic let
ter. 1t was dated July Is, 1868, and
was as follows: "My dear General -
do not remember that you and ever
met personally. I write this now as Il
grateful acknowledge for the almost in
estimable service you have done the
country. wish to say word further.
When you first reached the vicinity of
Vicksburg, I thought you should do what
you finally did-march the troops across
the neck, run the batteries with the
never had any faith, except general
hope that you knew better than I, that
the Yazoo expedition and the like could
When you got below and took
Port Gibson, Grand Gulf, and vicinity,
l thought you should go down the river
and join Gen. Banks and when you
turned northward, east of the Big Black,
thought it was a mistake. now wish
to make the personal acknowledgements
that you were right aud I was wrong"
A victory which could call forth such
would produce in the mind of the Exec
ltive the most unbounded confidence in
.he capacity of the commander by who
t was gained. It is gratifying that that
confidence was never betrayed and ney-
Ell disappointed, He first Justified the
Presidents faith, soon after he assumed
he, chief command in Tennessee, BY
,he brilliant victory at Lookout Noun
ain, driving the rebel Ger Bragg fEoR
he Chattanooga Yaaoy snd 31igsion
Ridge, and opening up the way for
5herman's. Great htareh 10 the Sea-
Then the Nattonal!H House Of Represents
ives passed a unsninous vote Of tAan.-s
o General Grant for his victories. and
ordered medal 10 be struck IN lis lon-5
,r, while both Houses Of Congress con
,s.t.esl "A the passa-e Of an act reyivlng
he grade of Lieutenant General, rank
never held by any one except Washing
nston, and Grant was recommended for.
he post, 1t beng prescribed that the
G General should have COM
nand of the armies, President Lincoln
ormally presented him with lis COM
mission March 8, 1864, and having
opened up the path to the final victory
n the South w est, he at once proceeded
o pave the way to success in the South
east. @ - az #z#@s as . es..@
The Grand Army Of the Potomac,
under its misfortunes, notwith- q
tanding the bright spot of Gettysburg
lpon its banners, and its imperishable 8
ecord for heroism, needed the prestige
# Gen. Grant to give it confidence in !
tself. Those noble veterans felt that
4 T.. Il :