The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-20
SHERMAN AND GRANT.
Who Planned the March
to the Sea.
OPINIONS ON THE MEMOIRS.
Prospects OF a Bitter and Lively
Discussion.
WHAT A PROMINENT ARMY OFFICER
THINKS.


THINKS.
The publication in the HERALD OF certain por-
lions or General Sherman's book has created quite
lively excitement in army circles In this city,
and IL Is said that the members OF the Army and
Navy Club who were under Sherman during the
war are already divided into Two hostile camps
on the subject. large number OF the regular
army onicers so far as can be ascertained,
are fearfully indignant at Sherman, the friends
Of General Joe Hooker especially. Outside OF the
club however the Officers are very reticent as 10
what they really think about the sMemoirs.n A
HERALD reporter had conversation yesterday
win army o1lcer who was quite prominent
during the war, and as his opinion OF the
"Nemoirsn Is, doubtless, the same as that held by
nine-tentns OF the officers-in this city at least
VINO we're IN the army during the rebellion 1t will
be found OF interest. ALL.
~ have called upon you, General said the
HERALD reporter, stn order to obtain your views
concerning General Sherman's new book" The
General pushed back the chair In which he
was seated, dropped his pen on the table and,
with look OF blank amazement on mis- lace, ex-
claimed, ''Wely now that Is question TO put to
man thus buntly. / assure you that you would
oblige me by putting some easier conundrum."
Then courteously bidding the reporter to be
seated he said, 81 have been so very
busy lately that really have not had time TO read
the reviews OF the book in the HERALD with that
care which would justify me in giving an opinion
as to its
MERITS OR DEMERTs
1t is apparent that General Sherman has had
access TO documents and records which probably
but one or TWO other persons besides himself
had access to, and 1t would be folly
the part OF any ofrcer in the army
who may feel aggrieved at some OF
General Sherman's criticism to attempt reply
that would stand until he has had time TO examine
the records himself and coilate his own proofs.
Mfnd, you don't say that all General Sherman's
CRITICISMS about some oil his fellow ofncers are I'M
RnsweraDle or that they nave been made with
out good cause. But taking 1t for granted that his
criticisms IN reference 10 certain occurrences
during the war are based on what he considers
good proof, you will readily see that there VIII
be quite stir In army circles over the book.
Our army oticers reputation as military man
Is very precious 10 him. and to blast IL simply TO
CRAFTY ones hates or dslikes and without regard
to iacts would be crime; aud no doubt every
oflcer who ieels that he has been misrepresented
by General sherman Will, before making any
definite reply, make careful examination OF all
documents and OF everything which may bear
upon his case. 10 simply make general denial
would oe OF little good, for iacts must be
met by Facts. 1t often happens that
an occurrence IS desctioed by several persons
VINO were witnesses OF it in totally different ways;
that IS one man may state as facts certain things
winch another may overlook entirely. Again, one
may nave obtained details OF an occurrence which
might explain away mucn that looks unrruth hui
IN another's account OF it. Men, TOO, are subject
ana their descriptions OF occurrences in which
they are interested arc naturally colored more or
eral Snerman's Memoirs as | have SAID
before, no decided OPINION can be given as to the
truth OF his Criticisms until thorough study or
tue documents, &c, upon wnicn a, bases them Is
MADE. l hardly THINK that General Shel man
wauld simply 70 erAny ms personal likes Or DIS.
many things that look rather Dad for some army
ofncsra 10 whom all1sion IS M de IN the book may
be explained away by documents aud records and
the personal testimony oil other Officers who were
on the spot :"
rne General then, 10 answer TO question OF the
reporter as TO whether the army officers would
be deferred from entering into controversy with
the Gene a-n-Chiel because they were his
Il do not THINK that there are i've oticers in
the army who wil consider 10 Ia any way
A BREACH OF DISCIPLINE
n they feel aggrIeved over General Sherman's
statements TO make whatever repnes tney see
himself and, as he has attacked officers
whose reputation is as dear to them
discussion takes General She man can and no
laulI. lie has, II can Judge augnt from wnat
nave seen OF the book as reviewed IN the HERALD.
endeavoreo 70 snow the pubfc that certain ON
&c DIuLdered IN mlhtary man9uvres of impor-
lance; some we're incompetent, aud deserve CEN
sure instead OF praise. inese officers VIII, OF
course, II they can, snow that the criticisms, II
no. entirely unfounded, are over narsu, indeed,
Ia measure unJusIihed, Ia the light OF rs ana
circumstances which the General may have over
lOoke0.p
DO sou tnink,u asked the reporter, "that the
publca ion Of ms oooa Will be regarded as al adj
vsed ry army officers generally ~
"a realy.m was the reply. nave not heard much
talk on t6e suojecG OF the book as yet by army or
dcers. not because the glimpse Of IL we nave been
sO.e 20 get through tue HERALD mas not gwen rise
10 considerable discussion, out | have
been too Uusy 10 ray any very par
ticuar attention TO the expression OF opinions
by officers 10 TINS city whom nave met lately. l
EninS myself that Its puolicdtion Is illadysed; for
though mistakes ana iauIts may nave been mace
engendered by tle war are not yet so toned
down as 10 admit Of crltIcsm OF one Oticer Dy
another entirely unwarped 81 prejudice % not
say that General Sherman Is actuated by personal
likes or dlsakes IN MS book: he may De actuated
by the best OF motives; but IL IS serious
thing. as / nave said before, for one army
Dicer 20 atack anotner's reputation as an nicer,
ss.ecIaliy If facts tnat may look al nrst rather
look by the testimony OF men who nad as good an
opportunity 10 Know what was going on aud
oeInI cone by certain persons &c certain places
these "Memoirs' that admire General Sherman
for any nuw-taat Is nis manltness 10 publishing
them while he Is awe anu wnen ne must, rlgnt
BEAR rHE BRuNr or THE FIGHT
which ne has originated. IL Is cowardy thing
In my opinion, Tor man TO write diary or MS,
tory 81 events and things In winch tue regulations
OF other men may pe blasted By an Idle wind on
charge based on alleged facts winch might be ex
planned away by Otner cIrcums ances, and refuse
20 allow it 70 be published until after MS own
death. A man VINO does that KIND OF thing
ana IS found out before he does DE
ought 70 DC taken Ia hand In some way that would
be correcye rsPes tesa raat i sne aaSa
he Is alive and must take the consequences OF MS
act IS many thing on nls Darti out wnat the
follow the puoncatiOn OF the book viii oe u would
De nard 10 ioreten. At all events u viii create
SUR
rs SHERMAN IN ERROR?