The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1875-05-28
SHERMAN AND LINCOLN.

II
up matters so as to bring the war to :
| close.
SHERMAN AND LINCOLN.
Then came the march through the
CaroIinas from Charleston steadily
north, and the burning of Columbia.
which General Sherman believes to have
been an accident arising from the erimi-
nal folly of the Confederates in setting
fire 10 their cotton. When the army
reached GoldSboro Sherman took a run
up 10 City Point to meet Lincoln The
President remembered him perfectly,
and they engaged in the most interest
ing conversation. Having made a good
long social visit, they took their leave
and went to General Grants quarters,
where Mrs. Grant had provided tea.
'While at the table" says Sherman,
Mrs. Grant inquired if We had seen Mrs.
Lincoln" ''No,n said the General IL
did not ask for her, " and added that |
did not even know that she was OH
board. Mrs. Grant then exclaimed, ''WeIl,
you are II pretty pair" and added that
our negligence was objectionable, when
the General said We would call again the
next day and make amends for the I'M
intended slight. The next day they
called, and Mrs. Lincoln, who was not
well, did not see them. General Sher-
man gives full notes of his conversation
with President Lincoln. ''Of all the
men | ever have met he seems to possess
more OF the elements of greatLeSs, com
bined with goodness, than any other.
When mt rest, or listening, his legs and
arms seemed to hang almost lifeless, and
his face was care worn and haggard;
but the moment lie began to talk his
face lightened up, his tall form as it
were unfOlded, and he was the very I'M
persOnatiOn of good humor and fellow
ship. The last words | recall us address
ed to me were that he would feel better
when | was back at Goldsboro. We
parted at the gangway of the River
Queen about noon Of March 2Sth, and
never saw him again"
HOME AGAIN.
On the 2lth Of May 1865, the armies
We're to be reviewed; Sherman brought
his wife and her father, the venerable
Thomas Ewing, to see the sight. The
whole army of Georgia bivouacked
around the Capital. The morning of
2ith of May was extremely beautiful.
Punctually ut . o'clock, attended by
Howard and his staff, he rode slowly
down the avenue, crowds of men, women
and children ilOcked around him. AS
he neareI the brick house on lafayette
Square, he observed Seward, feeble and
bandaged, at one of the windows. IL
moved, says Sherman, ''in that direct
On, and took off my hat to Mr. Stewart,
who sat at the window. lie recognized
The salute ana returned it, and then we
hurried on steadily and passed the Pres
ident, saluting with our swords. All on
his stand arose and acknowledged the
salute. Then, turning into the gate of
the Presidential grounds, we left our
horses and orlerlies and went upon the
stand, where found Mrs Sherman, with
her father and son. Passing them, |
shook hands with the President, General
Grant and each member Of the Cabinet.
As | approached Mr. Stanton he offered
ne his hand, but declined it publicly, |
and the fact was universally noticed. I |
hen took my post on the left of the |
President, and for six hours and half |
stood while the army passed. 1t was, in
my Judgment, the most magnificent
army in existence; sixtylive thousand
men in splendid physique, who had just
march Of nearly two thou
sand miles in hostile country. Divis- |
ION after division passed, each com
Of AN army corps coming on the
stand during the passage of his com
nand, to De presented to the President
and Cabinet and spectators of the stead
mess and harmOniOusness Of the tread,
the careful dress on the guides, the uni
form intervals between the companies.
All eyes were directly to the front, and
tile tattered and bullet-riven flags, f.s-
tOOned with flowers, all attracted uni
versal notice. For six hours and "A half
that strong tread Of the Army Of the
West resounded along Pennsylvania Az
enue; not a soul Of that vast crowd of
spectators left its place, and when the
rear Of the column passedkg thousands
Of spectators still fingered to express
their sense Of confidence in the Govern
lncnt which could claim such an army.