The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1869-07-29
GRANTS HOSTILITY TO GENERAL
iHs ft@f5tff r THOMAS


1t is very well known to all who
know any thing of army matters, that
General George FL. Thomas was one
of the especial objects of Grants
malevolent ill-will. The reason was
that Thomas always refused to join
! the Mutual Admiration Society of
Grant, Sherman & Co. The following
extract from letter to the Cincinnati
Gazette, by General Boynton, throws
additional light on this subject, and
shows Grant. still more strongly as
the smallest greatman of the country !:
As q general thing, one would
expect to learn of the secret acts of
the War Department during the re-
bellion in Washington rather than in
California. But the occasion of Gen.
Halleck's departure from the Pacific
coast for the East has accidentally
brought to light the facts connected
with the order relieving General Geo.
III. Thomas when he was at the head
of his army and before the enemy at
Nashville. < ef.
Among number of friends who
had called in San Francisco to say
good-byeto General Halleck; he was
asked concerning his part in that
transaction, when he gave the follow
ing history oft:
President Lincoln, Secretary STAN
tonFand himself, all had the greatest
faith i'm General Thomas. They were
anxious to have him move, but trusted
his judgement implicitly, as he was on
the ground.
One morning, few days before
the battle of Nashville, the President
received q request from General Grant
that General Thomas should be imme-
diately removed.
II The President took the note over
to Mr.. Stanton, and said that it was
q bad business, that he deeply re-
gretted the step, and but for disre-
garding direct request of the Gener-
al-in-C Chief he would not consent to it.
MIR. Stanton was equally decided as
to the impolicy of the step. General
Halleck was called in, and opposed
the measure very earnestly. Finally,
Mr.. Lincoln said he did not feel at
liberty to interfere, but he would like
to have the order show that he was
not the first mover in the matter.
General Halleck then drew an order
covering the case, though not placing
the entire responsibility upon General
Grant. year 9lsg
"Upon seeing this, Mr.. Stanton di-
recied 4 to be changed, to read SO as
show that it was done by the special
request of the General-in-Chief and
neither Mr.. Lincoln nor Mr.. Stanton
were willing to go before the country
on anything less than that.
General Halleck felt that great
military mistake and outrage was be-
ing committed, and that, in some way
it should be prevented.
The conference over the matter
was long and earnest one. Atlength
General Halleck asked Mr.. Stanton if
he would report him for disobedience
to orders fhe should delay the pub
fishing of this particular one for few
days. Mr.. Stanton said he would not.
General Halleck pocketed the order.
A few days after General Thomas had
completed his preparations, moved
upon the rebels and defeated them
disastronsly. AS it is well known the
order, SO much talked of since, was
, never issued. 6yisf-z enfts4Ie
1t has been the received opinion
that General Logan was the officer
designated by.General Grant to super
sede General Thomas. This it seems
was a mistake. According to General
Halleck, the request of General Grant
also specified General Schofield as the
successor, and the order. as finally
written did designate him for the
place. The name of General Logan
did not at any time come up in con-
nection with the change, either ON the
part OF Grant Or the authorities in
Washington, nor was General Scho-
field aware of the request made by
Grant. General Thomas army friends
larger now by many times than the
great army he commanded, will read
this with intaresf
White VS. Black.
The british Government has in