Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-10-16
AN OPTICAL OPTNTON OF GRANT.

AN OFFICIAL OPINION OF GRANT.
The Rev. Senator James Harlan, who is
now one Of the most active and subservient
tools Of he FGrant ring, in both bis official
capacity as Senator ofthe United States and
as editor of the Washington Chronicle,
was not at all complimentary to his chief
In 1852, when he had no reason to express
any other than an honest opinion. The
following is Harlan's official opinion of
Grant on May 81, 1862, as expressed on the
floor Of the United States Senate. We
quote from the Congressional Globe:
"Mr. Harlan: Mr.. President, SO far as the
remarks of the Senator from Ohio Mr..
Sherman) may have been intended TO de-
fend the troops of that State from unjust
aspersioDs, have not word TO say.
But that part Of his speech which may have
been intended to bolster up the reputation
of Gen. Grant, | think may have an injur-
ious effect in the future, and rise to repu-
diate every word he has said that may have
thai tendency. From all l can learn on
the sui Get | do not think Gen. Grant is fit
TO command great army In the field. Iowa
had eleven regiments in the field at the bat
tie Of PiJtsburg Landing. He can never
make one of those men believe that Gen.
Grant is ut to command.
"The Iowa troops have been in battle
repeatedly Under command of Gen. Grant;
they have no confidence in his capacity and
fitness for the high position he now holds.
They regard him as the author of the use
less slau ghter of many hundreds of their
brave comrades in arms. 1t is not neces-
saTy, nor is it right, to compel them to serve
un@er him. And the only practi-
cal tendency of that part of the speech Of
thu Senator from Ohio would be to induce
the President to assign him an active COM
mznd. This cannot consent to have done
in the presence of my countrymen, manned
and slaughtered, as | believe, through his
carelessness and incompetency.
II nv convictions are correct, it would be
crime me TO remain silent, and suffer
influences to originate in the Senate cham
Der which may result in restoring Gen
eral 20 an active command whom and the
people in part represent deem unworthy
of such a trust.
sGowa has sent to the fed about twen-
ty thoIsand troops. They have behaved,
Think, well on every battle field where
they have appeared. As far as l know, no
Iowa regiment has ever faltered in the dis
charge Of duty, however perilous. Their
numbers have been reduced by the casual
ties If the field and camp nearly one
fourth, They gave their lives with firm
ness to aid in restoring the supremacy Of
the laws But, sir, they believe, and l
believe. that large per cent. Of this loss
was useless, and is justly attributable to
the clrslessness or Inability of Gen.
Grant. And he shall not, with my consent,
be. continued in command. There is
nothing in his antecedents to justify
further trial of his military skill. AT Bel
mont he committed an egregious and IN
pardoaable military blunder, which re-
suited in almost annihisting an Iowa regi-
ment.
CAT Fort Donelson the right wing Of our
army, which vas under his lmmeolate
commend was defeated and driven back
several miles from the enemy's works. The
battle wzs restored by Gen. Smith, Inc
enemy's works were stormed, and thus
victor was finally won. And so, on the
battle field of Shiloh his army was COM
pletelg surprised, as | believe from all the
facts l can procure, on Sunday, and moth
ing bI. The stubborn bravery of the men,
fightin by regiments and Origades, saved
the army from utter destruction. The bat
tie was afterwards restored and conducted
by G n. Buell. and other generals, who
came oa the field during the evening and
night. aud our forces ultimately succeeded
in corr Jletely routing the enemy. Now,
sir, W. such record, those who continue
Gen. Grant In active command will, in
NJ" ion, carry on their skirts the blood
G, "a sands of their slaughtered country
r With my convictions, l can neither
g. . lyself nor silently permit it TO be
done by Others" ...-..