The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-10
Sherman as Lieutenant, Banker, Law
yer, Professor and General.
THE DAWN OF THE CIVIL WAR
From Bull Run to the Battle of
Lookout Mountain.
NEW LIGHT UPON THE REBELLION.

MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM T. SHERMAN. BY himself
IN two volumes. New York; D. Appleton i
Co. 1875.
~ have again and again" says General sher-
man, ''been Invited to write the history OF this
war, or TO record for publication my personal
recollections OF 1T, With large oners OF money
therefor; all OF which have declined because the
truth is not always palatable and should not al
ways be told Many OF tho actors in the grand
drama still live, and they and their friends are
quick to controversy, which should be avoided.
The great end OF peace has been attained with
little or no change in our form OF government, and
the duty OF all good men is TO allow the passions
OF that period TO suDside, that we may direct our
physical and mental labor TO repair the work OF
war; and to engage IN the greater task or con-
tlnulng our hitherto wonderful national develop
ment. What | now propose TO DO is merely
20 give some OF my personal recoections
about the historic persons and events
OF the DAY, prepared not with any view
to their publication, but rather for preserva-
ton when am gone, and thus TO be allowed TO
follow into oblivion the cords OF similar papers.
or TO be used by some historian wno may read
them by way OF illustration" General Sherman
has redeemed tnls modest purpose IN TWO OF the
most striking, eloquent and original works the
literature OF the war has produced. me style Is
fresh, clear, easy and often brilliant and Messrs.
Appleton have made the work worthy OF the re-
putation OF their house.
SHERMAN AS LIEUTENANT.
Eighteen hundred and forty-six found General
Sherman in the thirty first year OF his age and
arst lieutenant OF artillery In Fort MouItrie. s. c.,
under command OF Captain Robert Anderson, ar
terward 70 become celebrated as the defender or
Fort Sumter. with this epoch in his lie the Cen
eraps memoirs begin. War had broken out in
Mexico, and the General describes his anxiety as
an impatient young officer TO obtain active
command. HIS application resulted In an order 10
sail for California TO take part IN an expedition
fitted cut to conquer that country. We find him
railing around Cape Horn as lieutenant ia com.
pany with Ord and Halleck. 1t was long Jour
ney-readng, "gaming, but never gambing,u and
little visit to Rio Janeiro while Henry A. Wise
was our Minister there. There q visit Co
Chill, trip 10 Valparaiso and finally q rest at
Monterey, where the young onicer was invited TO
witness play called "Adam and Eve.n eve was
personated by pretty young girl known as Doo-
res Gomez, VINO, however WAS dressed very
like Eve, for she was covered with petticoat OF
sDangles. Adam was Dersonated by one who has
since become famous the person upon whom
was founded the McGarranan claim. God Al
mighty was personated and heavens occupants
seemed very human, yet the play was pretty and
interesting aud eiicited universal applause.n
EARLY DAYS IN CALIFORNIA.
still reigned on tue Pacific coast The General tells
OF al amusing visit he paid one OF the Dons, who
gave him dish OF RABBIT with what we thought
10 De q sauce OF tomato, which was sred pepper OF
the purest KIND" At that time troubles had
arisen between the American officers. General
Kearny, colonel Fremont and Commodore Stock
ten each claiming the right 10 control AFFAIRS In
California. Fremont resting his right upon "a
letter he nad received from Colonel Benton, then
senator aud man OF great influence In Polk's
administrator Kearny was evidently the
stronger man, and VIC have visit OF Sherman to
Fremont, In ls47, where he spent an hour with
him taking tea, sand left without being much
impressed" There was some discussion as 10
what wopld be done with Fremont by the intrepid
and nery Kearny. "Some thought he would be
tried and shot, some thought ne would be carried
back In lrons.n But evidently political influence
was not altogether dead under the administration
OF President Polk, as Fremont was not harmed,
bat simply showed out Of his rank. which Kearny
assumed, Fremont returning home along with
General Kearny, who shortly afterwards lett
Colonel II. b. Mason in supreme charge, tau
ofncer,n as Sherman says, 'of great experience
ana OF stern character, deemed by some harsh
and severe,n but 10 sherman 'always kind ana
agreeable" One OF the hrst dulles of Sherman was
20 arrest usurping of1cer named Nash 'Aicalde
Of Sonoma,n who claimed to De Governor OF Cali
fOrnia, and was disposed 20 dispute toe authority
OF the military. Sherman was sent on witn four
horsemen and private to ind Nash, to suppress
his inctp,ent rebellion. son reaching tile house,
says Sherman, ~ Inquired il Nash were In and
was drst answered no. but one OF the women soen
pointed 10 him. and ne rose. He was armed with
pistols, and tho women we're evidently alarmed.
walked up 10 him ana took his arm. and told him
10 come along with me. lie asked me where, and
! said, Monterey 'WhyP I viii explain
that more at leIsure.' Green put himself between
me and the noor, and demanded In q theatrical
Etyle, why dared arrest peaceaoe citizen ia
told him to get out Of the way, when he did
About that time one OF the sailors, handling MS
peared very suddenly We took Nash to the cart
put HIM IN, took him TO the boat, and ine next
morning we we're gone.u
rus FouSDtSe OF THE PACIFIC EXPIRE.
This was Shermanis hrst successful enort at
zuRury OF MS future career The chapters
ncrUtnK his cary lie In California and MS recol-
iec.Sns Q, mat eSuat are vivid de-. pic'qT-
cisiye, manly Character OF tue iusuious author.
TLeFe are certainly no rolnAnees more
Apring OF ls4s geld was discovered. III the spring
OF ls45 we near oil two men coming to the ONCE OF
ounce Of placer gold. sTne Governor SAID 70
me" says sherman what IS thatp | touched
ana asked, is 1t gold Mason asked me II / nad
eyes seen native gold. answered, M 1914 was
In Upper Georgia aud there saw some native god,
bul Il a. mucn inner than snis and II IN pilss
WAS god Il coulf easily De tested nrst by It's
mall eASnity, ami next W acids look piece ~
my Leein, Gno the metallic lustrc was perfect.
then called 70 Lne clerk, Baden, 70 BRING
TAId. Wien these were brought took the la; gest
piece and beat II out hat, and beyond doubt It
n;sis Importance 70 the fact, or gold was known
70 exist at san Fernando, at toe south and yet II
was not considered OF much value." what was OF
more vaue, however, was quicksilver and we
nave descriptions OF the manner IN which quick
SILVER mines were discCyeseu. II was not An nn-
common lhiag in those Gays or q great landowner
70 De the lord OF snail empire, with huudfeds OF
no,ses aad tnousands OF cattle aud yet 70 nave
nothlng 70 eat IN his house except 20 carcass oi
D.ei, lrgm wnlch tno stranger mlRot cut and COOK,