The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-06-07
SHERMAN AND STANTON.
The Dlmsulty between the General and
the Secretary Of War rs Told by the
Former.

the Secretary Of War rs Told by the
Former.
The difficulty that existed between
Gen. Sherman and Secretary OF War
Stanton during the late war is well
known. Gen. Sherman, in his personal
history, gives considerable space to this
difficulty. II commenced in n visit
made by the secretary to Sherman, at
which \ lot Of cotton captured by the
Rrmy-Sl, 900 bales-was ordered sent
North. Gen. Sherman says the secre-
tary ordered all the marks on this cotton
destroyed, and that he thought strangely
OF the order. 81 am assured, I" he says,
"Ehat claims, real and fictitious, have
been proved up against this identical
cotton Of three times the quantity actu.
ally captured, and that reclamRtions
have been allowed for more than tho &C
tual quantity captured" Stanton re-
NAMED with Sherman for some days,
seemingly very curious about things
in general" He did not think that some
OF Sherman's generals had shown kind
ness to the negro, and he complained Of
General Jefferson O. Davis. Sherman
defended his generals, claiming that
thcy felt q sympathy forthe negroes, but
"of different sort from that Of Mr..
Stanton, which was not tho power OF
humanity but Of politics" There was
n conference between Secretary Stanton
aud delegation Of negroes, and among
the questions addressed TO them was
this estate what is the feeling Of the
colored people toward General Sher-
man, and how far do they regard his
sentiments and actions rs friendly TO
their interests or otherwise" The an
swer was that they had the utmost con-
fidence in Sherman "as q man in the
providence OF God set apart specially 10
accomplish this work." Sherman, com.
menting upon 1t, says: at certainly
was strange fact that tho great secre-
tary Of war should have catechizod ne
groes concerning the character OF a gen.
eral who had commanded 100000 men
in battle, had captured cities, conducted
65, 900 men successfully across 1000
miles OF hostile territory aud had Just
brought tens Of thousands Of freedmen
to q place OF security. But because he
had not loaded down his army by other
hundreds Of thousands Of freedmen NO
grocs it was construed by others as hos.
tile 10 the black nee" Stanton was
not in good health; although he appear
cd robust and strong, ho complained a
good deal OF internal pains, which
threatened his life and which would
compel him soon to quit public office.
He said that the price OF everything Ind
so risen, in comparison with the depre-
ciated money, that there was danger OF
national bankruptcy, and he appealed
to me rs q soldier and patriot TO hurry
up matters so as 10 bring the war TO a
close.
The surrender Of Leo and the assassi.
nation Of Lincoln came swiftly upon
each other. Sherman first learned OF It
in private dispatch on tho morning Of
April II. lie kept tiie news quiet until
he had occasion 70 SEQ Genernl Joseph
Johnston, to discuss the surrender.
"As soon rs wo were alone together"
says Sherman, speaking Of his visit to
General Johnston. az showed him tho
dispatch announcing Mr.. Lincolns rs.
sAssination, and watched him closely.
The perspiration came out in large drops
on his forehead and he did not attcmpt
TO conceal his distress. He denounced
the act as q disgrace 10 tho age, and
hoped ] did not charge It 10 the Confed-
crate government. / told him could
not believe that lie or General Lee or
the officers OF the Confederate army
could possibly be priyy TO acts Of assasd.
nation, but l would not say as much for
Jefferson Davis, George Sanders, and
men OF that tribe. We talked about the
effect OF this net on tho country at large
and the armies, and he realized that II
made my situation extremely delicate"
Sherman urged upon Johnston the pro.
priety OF surrender. This the Confed.
crate general admitted, saying that any
further fighting would DO murder.
Out Of this conversation arose cartel
signed between Johnston aud Sherman,
General Breckenridge being present and
consenting thereto. This cartel OF basis
Of agreement agreed 10 recommend the
restoration OF the Suites TO their old
rights and privileges. Sherman contend.
cd that he, in doing this, had followed
out the advice Of Mr.. Lincoln, and his
information on that subject justiiies this
conclusion; hut johnson was President,
md the country was maddened OF the
assassination Of tho President. There
was no cry so loud rs that OF revenge.
Stanton, who had IN imperious, ungov-
ernable temper, and disapproyed Sher-
mans cartol and virtually disgraced him
by sending Grant TO supcrsede him. He
issued orders TO Generals Sheridan,
Schofeld and Wilson, and other COM
manders, not TO obey Shorman's orders.
1t was thought that Sherman had been
a traitor, and dispatch was put in cir.
culation, under the apparent sanction OF
the secretary OF war, to the effect that
Jefferson Davis had escaped with mil
lion Of specie from Richmond banks,
with which they hoped TO make terms
with Sherman or some other commander
for an escape to Mexico. It Is hard TO
realize that so unfounded IN accusation
could have been sanctioned by q cabinet
against an officer Of the fame Of General
Sherman. General Grant went TO North
Carolina, we are told, but behaved with
the utmost delicacy toward General
Sherman, not even appearing in tho
army, but allowing Sherman 10 com.
pleto his surrender with Johnston. The
millions Of specie which Jefferson Davis
was carrying south in wagons, turned
out to be q few thousand dollars that
could hayo been carried in valiso.
Sherman came North with his army and
boiling with rage. "To say" he says,
a. thnE 7 was ynarolv anrry al lha t6pa