The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1877-04-05
What Sherman Didn't Tell.

What Sherman DIDN'T Tell.
To the Eitor of the Boston Post:
The 'sMelnoirs of Gen. Sherman is
very fascinating book, especially the
large portion devoted to his march
from Atlanta the sea, and we admire
the frankness of the soldier in dealing
with others, as we'll as his skill and
bravery in accomplishing his grand
task. But the General omits an anec-
dote anent his taking Savannah, which
should be true, as related to the
writer, for it is so intrinsically likely
to have happened that it's authenticity
cannot be gainsaid without the Gener-
ais own denial.
After the taking of Fort Macalister,
and the evacuation Of the place by
Hardee, Gen. Sherman entered the
city, and among his ''bummers" was a
we'll known Boston reporter, who had
gone through the march with him ,tak-
ing notes and continuing to steal
enough poultry and other things for
his support.
Arriving at Savannah, Tom Miles,
the reporter foresaid-though that
was not his name-went prospecting
round the city, and, by that mysterious
attraction known to the print craft,
found himself in vacated printing
office. 1t presented a golden opportu-
nifty. There were types and presses.
and all the paraphernalia essential to
business. with a form on the press,
which the printer had left in his flight,
and Miles taking out the editorial and
other offensive matter, filled its col
umns with healthy Union sentiment,
with the aid of one or two Of the craft
whom he had discovered in the army.
His leader was a rich specimen of crow
ing in the victory, in which he extolled
Gen. Sherman as the greatest hero
since Alexander, land his army the finest
and best disciplined that the world
ever saw. With this grand flourish Of
trumpets the first number was issued,
and Miles lay back in his editorial chair
contemplating his work with the be-
lief that he had achieved the next tri-
umph to Sherman and wondered
what the conqueror would say when he
saw the praises he had heaped upon
him. The next morning as the Gener-
al and his staff were about taking
breakfast, paper was handed to him,
The Savannah Republican, l think,
and he commenced to read the
leader which was SO lavish in his
praise.
"Look here!" said he, red and fur
ious, ''What the ID does this mean
Who knows anything about this pa
per!'
His orderly, who had known some
thing about its preparation, explained
to him that it, was the work Of one OF
the literary gentlemen who had fol-
lowed the expedition.
"Well," said the General, sgo down
to the office and tell him to discontin-
; ue his paper or I'll put him under
, guard. | won't have such cursed stuff
printed about me when | can prevent
it. Abuse is bad enough, but this is a
deuced sight worse
Down went the orderly, and the con-
fusion of poor Miles was overwhelm-
ing when he got the squelcher from
the General Commanding.
"Why it was all praise said he.
ono matter for that. If it had been
the other way it would have been
treated just the same
CO Mics llOVcO W COIu
naturally know what,-and what urged
, the official to express his regrets and
! beg the removal of the Injunction
7 which was promised. The appeal was
, successful. and soon the officer came
back to inform him that the permits
sien was granted him to run his paper
| on condition that he should never
mention the Generals name again
This was agreed to, and the paper ap
; peared. After day or two an aide
{ came down one morning with an order
{ from Gen. Sherman, for publication
l Miles glanced over it and handed il
I back.
sit can't go in, sir" said he.
: "Why not - asked the astOnisheG
messenger, who was stranger.
Because it has Sherman name or
= it., was the reply.
y THAT the reason why it must &C
in,' urged the aide.
4 ''And that's the reason why il
shan't. He stopped my paper fol
. praising him, and promised him thai
:. his name should never appear in my
columns again, and hang me if il
SHALL"
Miles stood resolute, and the officer
!, returned for orders, expecting order
ing out of file of men and an arrest
but was astonished to see the Genera
burst into the heartiest laugh an6
hear him confess that the printer hae
the best of it. The messenger wa.
L sent back with conciIiatory note and
there was no trouble.
d