The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-06-09

LOOK the 1eld, onerman never cap
tured the enemy9 The explanation
of this invariable failure is found in
his constitutional timidity.. This en-
abled Sydney Johnston, at the head
of $4,000 men in kentucky, to fill
him with panic at the head Of $4,000,
and Price to stampede. him, when re-
lieved and transferred to Missouri.
The truth is that he never did any
thing until he came under Grants
immediate command, and had his
nerves steadied by Grants pluck.
It is not surprising that SO discreet
commander should misjudge a boil
der nature, and especially one who,
although he had not studied algebra
at West Point, at the Government
expense, was so inconsiderate OF HIM
self as to take up arms for the de-
ferlse Of that Government when its
enemies held both the State and Ma
tional Governments, and when he not
only had no color Of authority to
protect him and the men who stood
by him. but was in peril from both
Governments, and did this, too, not
only without pay, but spent all he
had in the world to arm his men,.
Nor did my brother aspire to the
command of the Army Of the Ten
nessee on the death Of Mcpherson,
or fail in giving General Howard sup
port when he was put in that posi-
ton. Logan, who held an older COM
mission than my brother did assert
his right to succeed to this command
and was somewhat FESTIVE and dis
contented when it was refused him
But General Howard expressed him
self to me as much gratified by my
brothers course, and said that the
support which my brother gave him
was of the greatest assistance to him
There is, indeed, not circumstance
from first to last tojustify Sherman
reflection upon my brother, and
confess my surprise that lie shoule
have given utterance to it. There
was a slight unpleasantness between
them at the outset Of their associa
ton, growing out of Sherman's jump
{ ing to the conclusion, without thu
slightest reason, that my brother hat
prompted some newspaper dispar
agemcnt of him. My brother proper
t lily resented the imputation, and Sher
man apologized. But the effect o
this, my brother thought, was to es
tablish kind and confidential rela
: tions between them ever afterward
: It is true that he felt that Sherman
had failed entirely in any recogni
ton Of his military services; but, a
this was a magnanipity Of which al
+ who served under Sherman kne,
r himto be incapable. he did not com
plain Of it generally, and only on on
, occasion do I remember of. his show
ing any feeling for the sights whic)
| / knew from others had been put up
: on him by Sherman. That was wit
respect to the battle Of Atlanta
There, it will be remembered ths
! in consequence Of having sent off a
i the cavalry to protect the railroa
1 communication, Hardee was enable
) Ito march around Atlanta and fall uI
4 on the left flank and rear of She
! mans army, commanded by my brt
i ther, killing Mcpherson at the frs
# fire, while Cheathem attacked him
Q front. Sherman refused to credit I'll
# nature of the attack when it was con
) municated to him by my brother
g Abide Camp, and delayed sendir
It support, saying that Hardee coul
n not have got there without openir
le the city to Thomas, whose corps vi
W in front Of Hardee's position with
g, the city. This left the fight to
e. carried on all day long, until twel
IT o'clock at night, by the Seventeen
Corps against alternate attacks
rs front and rear, until it was gradual
IS swung around upon its right flank
is a pivot, driving out Hardee from |
Of hind it. This the corps was enabl
at to do by the precaution which !
he brother had taken to seize and for
Mt fy and arms with artillery comma
in ding position on it's right flank. 7
Y. position enabled him to enfilade
ut enemy with terrible effect at eve
be attack. The capture Of this pdsiti
,e. was attended with considerable 10
lie for which my brother was sewers
ed censured at the time BY many Of