The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-24

4
Greet commander should misjudge holder
nature, and especially one who, although he had
not studied algebra at West Point, at the govern
ment expense, was SO inconsiderate OF himself as
to take up arms for the defence OF that govern
ment, when It's enemies held both the State ana
national governments, and when he not only had
color OF authority TO protect him and the men
who stood by him, but was IN peril from both gov
menls, ana did this, too, not only without pay,
bat spent all he had In the world 90 arm his men.
Nor did my brother aspire to the command OF
the Army or the Tennessee on the death OF
Mcpherson or fail In giving General Howard sup
port when he was put In that position. Logan,
who held an older commission than my brother,
aid assert mis- right to succeed to this
command, ana was somewhat FESTIVE and
oiscon ented when IL was refused him.
But General Howard expressed himself to me as
much gratlned Dy my brothers. course. and said
that the support which my brother gave him was
OF the greatest assistance him. There Is, in
deed not a circumstance from first TO last TO JUS
THY Snerman's reflection upon my brother, and
confess my surprise that he should have given
utterance TO II. There slight unpleasantness
between them at the outset OF their association,
growing out OF Snerman's jumping 60 the concu-
sion, without the slightest reason, that my brother
had prompted some newspaper disparagement OF
him. My brother properly resented the lmputa-
ton and Sherman apologzed. But the effect or
this, my brother thought, was TO establish
kind and confidential relations between them
ever aterward Ii is true that he felt that Sher-
man had failed enurely in any recognition OF ills
military services; but, as this was q magnanimity
OF which all who served under sherman
knew him TO be incapable, ne did not COM
plain OF It generally, and only on one
occasion do l remember OF his showing any
feeling for the Sights which knew from others
had been put upon him by Sherman. That was
with respect to the battle OF Atlanta. There, 1t
will be remembered that, in consequence OF hay
ing sent Off all the cavalry TO protect the railroad
communication. Hardee was enabled to march
around Atlanta and fan upon the left nank and
rear OF Sherman's army commanded by my
brother, killing Mcpherson at the first Ire, while
Cheatham attacked him In front. Sherman
refused to credit the nature OF the attack when
it was communicated 10 him by my brothers. aide
de-camp, and delayed sending support, saying
that Hardee could not have got there
without opening the city to Thomas, whose
corps was in front OF Hardee's position
4 within the city. This LETT the fight 70
be carried on all day long, until twelve O'Clock at
night, by the Seventeenth Corps against alternate
attacks In front and rear, until it was gradually
swung around upon its right nank a pivot
driving out Haruee from behind IL. This the
corps was enabled TO do by the precaution which
my brother had taken to seize and
fortify and arm with artillery q command
ing position its right nank. The position
enabled hm TO ennlade the enemy with terrible
eject at every attack. The capture OF the position
was attended with considerable loss, for which
my brother was severely censured at the time by
many OF the army correspondents Bat this posi-
ton and the desperate courage OF the troops
under his command saved the day. and yet
his name Is not mentioned in the report or the
battle. To make amends for It, however, very
honorable mention is made OF some OF his supordl-
mates. Military annals do not AFFORD a parallel
for this, and yet my brother never spoke or 1t but
once that now recollect, and then with far less
feeling than was evinced by some or the subordi-
mates whom sherman had extolled VINO have
often SPOKEN to me on the subject. Truly, yours,
MONTGOMERY BLAIR.
FALKLAND, Montgomery county, Md, May q, 1875.
Until the thoughtful army officers fnd by per-
sonal examination ofthe Memoirs" how lar they
have been abused, it is not likely there VIII be
much open censure. The conduct OF General
Sherman at and about Atlanta will, 1t is SAID,
come IN for severe criticiclsm, and statements
may be MADE that will weaken his presumption
in censuring those who strove earnestly 70 aid
him in every movement