Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-08-10
GRANT AND HIS GENERALS.

Fitzpatrick and other democratic speak
ers are asserting that Grant refused to rec
ognize the merits Of his fellow officers,
that he cheated Sherman, and that the sol
dlers don't like him. Let men who are in
clined to listen to such base accusations,
let those who think lig htlyoi Gen-Grant's
mead or heart, read the following letter
which he addressed to General Sherman
on the day be left his department to report
10 Washington IN the winter of 1854:
DEAR SHERMAN: The bill reviving the
grade OF General in the army
has become law. and my name has been
sent to the Senate for the place. l now
receive orders to report to Washington
Immediately In person. which indicates a
confirmation, or likelihood of confirms
tion. start tomorrow morning to com.
ply with the order.
While l have been eminently successful
in this war, in at least gaining the conf
dence of the public, no one feels more
than how much of this success il due TO
the energy and skill, and harmonious put
Ting forth Of that energy and skill, Of
those whom it has been my good fortune
to have occupy subordinate positions un.
der me-"
Sherman received this letter near Mem
phis. on the 10th Of March, and immedi-
ately replied:
DEAR GENERAL: have Your more than
kind and characteristic letter OF the 4th
instant. will send a copy to Gen. Nc
Pherson at once.
You do yourself injustice and US too
much honor in assigning to US too large a
share of the merits which have led to your
high advancement. ! know you approve
the friendship have ever professed to you.
and will permit me to continue as hereto
fore to manifest it on all proper occasions.
You are now Washington's legitimate
successor, and occupy position Of almost
dangerous elevation; but II you continue.
rs heretofore. to be yourself, simple, hon.
est and unpretending, you will enjoy
through lite the respect and love of friends
and the homage OF millions of human be-
ings that viii! award you Il large share In
securing to them and their descendants
Government Of law and stability. :.
l repeat, you do Gen. Mcpherson and
myself too much honor. At Belmont you
manifested your traits-neither Of US be-
ing near. AT Donnelson, also, you illus
trated your whole character. l was not
near, and Gen. Mcpherson in too subordi-
nate capacity to influence you.
| H.
was almost cowed by the terrible array
OF anarchlal elements that presented them
selves at every point; but that admitted
ray of light have followed ever since.
l believe you are as brave. patriotic and
just as the great prototype Washington
as uaselfish, knd-hearted and honest as
a man should be; but the chief character
istic is the simple faith in success you have
| IalV to1 xrh I
nothing else than the faith of Christian
in the Savior.
This falth gave you victory at Shiloh
and Vicksburg. Also when you have
completed your best preparations, you 90
into battle without hesitation, rs at Chat
tanooga-no doubts no reserves; and l
| tell you 1t was this that made US act with
confidence. knew wherever was, that
you thought Of me. and il got in tight
place you would help me out, If alive.
My only point Of doubt was in your
knowledge Of grand strategy, and OF
books OF science and history; but. con-
| fess, your common sense seems to have
supplied all these.
| Now, as to the future. Don't stay in
Washington. Come West; take to your
self the whole Mississippi Valley. Let us
make it dead sure-and tell you the At
lartic slopes and Pacific shores will fol-
low its destiny, as sure as the limbs Of
tree live or die with the main trunk.
We have done much, but still much, re-
mains. Time and times influences. are
with us. We could almost afford to sit
still and let these 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-
erished coast OF the Atlantic,
Your sincere friend,
| W. T. SHERMAN.