New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-02-06

Why sherman Was Thought to be Crazy.
The following is from . recent article in
the New York Times, from the pen of
General Judson fitzpatrick:
date tho origin Of Sherman's march not
to September l2, 1864, nor to April or JAN
usry Ut that year, but to time, and place
and circumstance that should never be f0r'
gotten. refer the reader back to the six
tenth day of October, 1861. 1t was on that
day, at Louisville, Kentucky, that General
Sherman proposed to the Secretary of War
Hon. Simon Cameron, among other thinge,
grand campaign to the sea, that would
have completely and permanently severed
the Confederacy, and for this proposition,
embodying other necessary operations,
General Sherman was pronounced Gin
sane" A month later General Sherman
was relieved of his command and sent to
St. Louis. In his Memoirs General Sher.
man refers to this painful circumstance, and
says: "It was cruel for Secretary Of War
to give tacit credence to q rumor which
probably started without his wish or inten-
ton, yet through his fundamentally. OF
course could rot deny the fact, and had to
submit to all it's painful consequences for
months; and, moreover, l could not hide
from my self that many of the officers and
soldiers subsequently placed under my CON-
mand looked at me askance and with GUS
picion. Indeed, it was not until the follow
ing April that the battle of Shiloh gave me
personally the chance to redeem my good
NAME
And bravelv did he do it-then and every
where. General Smith d. Atkins, of Hi
mole, distinguished soldier and noble
gentleman of my own command, in letter
sent me q day since, truly says: General
Sherman needs not the influence OF your
pen or mine to vindicate him from the as
poreione of HE ouemies; his grand war
and at the same time covered with shame
those who SO cruelty wronged him then.
and will, ultimately, those who defame him
now.
That all may fully understand the posi-.
| ton l have taken, and the great injustice
done General Sherman on that occasion, l
will give an account of the interview be-
| tween the Secretary of War, his friends and
General Sherman, as it was given to me in
| 1868 by distinguished officer who still
lives, and who was present on the occasion
of the interview am about to relate:
The Secretary of War. Hon. Simon Came
inspection of General FremOnt's depart
ment in Missouri. On his return, Mr.. Came
ron stopped at Louisville, Kentucky, to see
for himself why General Sherman had not
driven the enemy out of Kentucky. Gen.
eral Sherman, having been notified of this
visit, met the Secretary at Jacksonville
and proceeded with him to Louisville. A
council of war was held the next day at
the Calf House. There we're present the
Thomas, correspondent Of New York
paper, Mr.. Guthrie, of Kentucky, and
several others gentlemen, besides Cen
eral Sherman and Major General Thomas
j. Wood-who had accompanied Ger
eral Sherman by his request. Gen
ersl Sherman, seeing so many persons
present, turned to the Secretary and
inquired if this was to be considered q
council of war. He was informed that it
then went to the door, closed and locked
it, the Secretary and his party looking on
in great surprise. General Sherman then
said: "Mr. Cameron. do not know all Of
these gentlemen; save yourself, General
Thomas and Mr.. Guthrie, hardly know q
person present. We are to speak of grave
matters, and only those high in the CONT
dence of the government should be pres
ent" Mr. Cameron informed him that all
trusted. General Sherman bowed. went to
the door and unlocked it. A long silence
ensued. Mr.. Cameron finally said: Gen
eral Sherman, what are your troubles !!
What are your plans for driving the rebels
out of Kentucky9" Il have no plans" an
swered General Sherman. what !" said Mr..
Cameron, mo plans" mo, sir; until
know what is expected OF me and what
force l am to have, can make no plans"
answered General Sherman. Mr.. Cameron
then asked the General what forces he had,
and how they compared with the enemy.
General Sherman gave him the infOrma-
tiOn Mr.. Cameron seemed amazed. "Can you
not give US some idea General Sherman, of
what your plans are, or have been!' he
asked. General Sherman, MIR. Cameron, l
have views, but no plans. will cheerfully
give you my views" Mr.. Cameron desired
to hear General Sherman's views. General
Sherman first spoke of the situation in
Kentucky, and explained what ought to be
done there; informed the Secretary that the
enemy intended to seize the Ohio river and
explained how he might be prevented;
spoke of the rebellion and the war in
general, and especially of the war in the
West; and, finally, in the language
of Major General T. J. Wood, who was
present, and who is my authority for this
statement, General Sherman, ascending
from the consideration of the narrow ques
ton of the political and military situation
in Kentucky, and the extent OF the force
necessary to redeem the State from thral
dom, forecasting in his intellect the grand
and daring operation which, three years
afterward, he realized in campaign, taken
in its entirety, without parallel in modern
times, expressed the opinion that to carry
the war to the Gulf of Mexico, and destroy
all armed opposition to the government in
the entire Mississippi valley at least 2OO, 900
troops were absolutely requisite" How
many" said Mr.. Cameron. Two hundred
thousand" replied General Sherman.
"Great God! where are they to come
fromG' exclaimed Mr.. Cameron. That is
for you. to devise l am not the Secretary
of War; that is the duty of the War
Department.; my duty is to organize cam
paigns and command the troops after they
are put in the field" replied General Sher
man." Hon. James Guthrie, who was also
present, being called upon, sustained Gen
eral Sherman's ideas in regard to affairs in
Kentucky. and spoke at length in regard to
the Importance of carrying the war to the
sea, as proposed by General Sherman. Here
the council ended. A few days later an
imperfect account of this secret war meet
ing appeared in a New York paper. Gen
eral Sherman's conclusions and recommend
atoms were given, without the reasons upon
which he had based them, and the verdict
went forth: Sherman is craZy'-crazy be-
cause he proposed then ialODg with other
necessary mOvements) a campaign which he
actually accomplished three years later;
now think it worth their while to write a
book in order to rob him of the glory.
American Omcers in Egypt.
Colonel Horatio B. Reed, of the Khedive's
army, being home from Egypt and now en-
a - sv% In