The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1868-06-11
THE TRIBUNE.
sherman ON Grant.

Sc General Grant, having been appointed
Lieutenant General was ordered to Wash
ington. Immediately before setting on
on his journey on the 4th of March, lS6.
he sent the following private letter b!
Colonel Badeau, of his staff, who was de
spatched with Instructions to Genera
Sherman:
DEAR SHERMAN: The bill revivine
the grade OF Lieutenant General in the
army has become law and my name ha:
been sent to the Senate for the place.
now receive orders to report to Washing
ton Immediately, in person, which indl-
Gates confirmation or likelihood OF con-
firmation, | start in the morning to
comply with the order While l have
been cminently successful in this war, IN
at least gaining the confidence OF the
public, no one feels more than L how
much of this success is due to the energy
skill, and tremendously putting forth
that energy and skill, of those whom it
has been nv fortune to have occupying
subordinate positions under me. There
are many officers to whom these remarks
are applicable, to greater or less degree
proportionate to their ability as soldiers !;
but what | want is TO express my thanks
to YOU and Mcpherson, as the men to
whom, above all others, feel indebted
for whatever [ have had Of success.
How far your advice and assistance
have been help to me, you know. How
far your execution of whatever has been
given you to do entities you to the re-
ward am receiving, you cannot know as
we'll as l.
| feel all the gratitude this letter should
express giving it the most tatterlng con-
structiOn.
The word you l use in the plural, in
finding it for Mcpherson also. | should
write to him, and will some day, but
starting in the morning, | do not know
that will find time just now,
Your friend,
u. S. GRANT, Major General.
Sherman received this letter near
Memphis on the 10th, to which he it'll
mediateiy replied: -x--
q DEAR GENERAL: I have your more
than kind and characteristic letter of the
4th instant will send a copy to Gen.
Mcpherson at once.
You do yourself injustice, and US too
much honor, in assigning too large share
of the merits which have led to your high
advancement. | know you approve the
friendship [ have ever protested to you,
and will permit me to continue. as hereto
fore. to manifest it on all proper occa-
sions.
You are nop W,shington's 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 beings that will award you a large
share in securing to them and their de-
scendants a government of law and sta
'bility.
l repeat, you do General Mcpherson
and myself too much honor, At Belmont
you manifested your traits, neither Of US
being near At Donelson ais, you illus
trated your whole character. I was not
near, and General Mcpherson in too SUBJ
ordinate a capacity to influence you.
Until you had won Donelson, | confess
| was almost cowed by the terrible dis
play of anarchial elements that present
ell themselves at every point: but that
admitted ray of light [ have followed
since. | believe you are as brave, patri-
o;ic, and just as the gr--at prototype
Washington unselGsh, kind hearted,
and honest as a man should be, but the
chief characteristic is the simple faith in
success you have always manifested, which
/ can liken to nothing else than the faith
Christian has in the Savior.
This faith gave you victory at Shiloh
and Nicksburg. Also, when you have
Completed your best preparations you go
into battle without hesitation, as Chatta-
nooga-no doubts, no reserves; and
will tell you it was this that made us act
with confidence Ikae,c mherecer ,cas
fYat yon thought Of me, and If 1 got III a
1taht place you ,0outd help me out, u
alire.
My only point of doubt was in your
knowledge of grand strategy, and ct books
of science and history; but, [ confess,
your common sense supplied all these.
Now, as to the future. Don stay in
Washington. Come west; take to your
self the whole Mississippi valley. Let US
make it dead sure, and | tell you the At
lantic slopes and Pacific shores will follow
its 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 influences work.
Here lies the seat of the coming en-
pire; and from the West, when our task
Is done, we will make short work of
Charleston and Richmond and the impov-
erishe coast of the Atlantic.
Your sincere friend,