Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1875-05-26
Sherman and Stanton.

Inc story OF the misunderstanding
between these two men is told with
brevity and point in the book Of Sher
man, and none can question its truth
fitness. 1t seems impossible for him
to resort to concealments or to be sat
istied with halfstatements. The troub
lie began with Stanton's visit to Sher-
man i'll January, 1865, when he order
ed all the cotton that was captured to
be sent North, and the marks on the
bales to be oblterated. Sherman
thought it strange order, and thinks
so still. Claims amounting to three
fold the amount of the cotton, he says,
have been proved against it, and re
carnations have been allowed for more
than the entire capture. Next, STAN
ton protested to doubt Sherman's fdel-
ity to the negro, because he had not
encountered his army with more Of
them, and thus made the success of
his expedition still more predetermined.
The Secretary even. gathered about
him a delegation of the blacks, and
there, in the presence OF the army,
asked them to state "what is the feel
ing of the colored people towards
Gen. Sherman, and how far do they
regard his sentiments and actions as
friendly to their interests or otherwise.
The malice and meanness Of Stanton
were thus Generating their power for
their next blow. But Sherman half
excuses him on the ground of i'll
health. When Sherman went up from
Goldsboro to City Point to meet Lin,
coin and Grant, which was in the very
last days of March, he had a CONVEX
sation with the former on the subject
of the surrender of Johnston, which
formed the basis of his subsequent ne
rotions some two and half weeks
later 1t was at his interview with
that Confederate General, when the
news OF President Lincoln's assassina-
ton was first communicated to any
one within the lines. Johnston then
and there gave up all idea OF further
resistance, saying that under the cir
cumstances it would be nothing but
murder. "A cartel was signed, Gen.
Breckinridge being present and con
senting. This agreement proposed to
restore the rebellious States to their
former position, with all their old
rights and privileges. 1t was only
what the war for Union meant, and
the country wanted no more complete
victory.
But the tragical end of the President
greatly nhamed the public mind,
which was for the moment naturally
disposed to hold the Confederate pow
er responsible. Stan ton did not fail
to see big peculiar opportunity and to
improve it. He instantly and in an
indignant rage revoked the cartel of
Sherman. and ordered Grant down in
to North Carolina to supersede him.
AS if this disgrace were not public
enough, he directed Gems, Schofeld,
Wilson and Sheriden to pay no heed
whatever to Sherman 5 orders, in case
he should issue any to them. Worse
and more cruel still, he permitted it to
be publicly circulated that Sherman
was a traitor, aud that Jefferson Davis
had escaped from Richmond with
stores OF gold with which to make
terms with Sherman and secure the
escape of the Confederate army to
Mexico. 1t is to be said in praise of
Gen. Grant, that although he went
down to execute the order of Stanton
upon Sherman by taking away his
command, he never made his appear
ance in the army, but permitted sSher-
man to proceed unmolested in the
completion of his arrangement with
Johnston. When Sherman brought
his army North and marched them
through Washington prior to their
final dismissal, he declared himself
''resolved to resent the insult, cost
what 1t would AS he rode up to
the stand on which sat the President
and his Cabinet, and saluted, dismount.
ed, and joined the official group. one
after another stepping forward to greet
him with cordial shake of the hand.
After President Johnson and Gen.
Grant had offered him their greeting,
Secretary Stanton came forward with
extended hand. Sherman repulsed
him in the sight OF that public with
every sign of scorntul Indignation
and that was his manly and open re-
yeuue. Itswas the first rebuke the