The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-07-03
THE FOURTH OF JULY ToURNA-
MENT AT MOLINE.
RESIGNATION OF GEN. ADD. SAN
DERs, COMMANDER IN CHIEF.
Brief Biographical Sketch of His Mill.
tary Life and Services.

tary Life and Services.
For some time past preparations have
been in progress to institute a sham battle
upon the common adjacent to our sister |
city Of Moline, on the approaching Fourth,
ID commemoration of the gallant services
of the boys in blue during the late un.
pleasantness, and.to afford to those who
never witnessed an actual battle some idea
by these mimic scenes of the terrible reali
ties of contending armies. Up to the pres
ent time those having the matter ID charge
have done all that lay in their power to
give eclat to the occasion and to render
the entertainment worthy of the day, the
place, and the actors; as we'll as interest
ing, novel, and surprising to the spectators
Knowing we'll that such fete would re-
quire both natural aptitude and profess
sional skill, the msnag srs bethought them
selyes of obtaining the benefits of exper-
fence in actual war, of high renown, and
the military proves IF veteran COM
mander and it fortunately happened that
such person lived in our neighboring city
Of Davenport, was available, and would
consent to lead the representatives Of the
union forces on the ensanguined field, so
they wisely and properly secured for COM
mander in chief Brevt, Brig Gen. Add.
Sanders. A large and eminently respect
able delegation of Moline citizens avaiIed
themselves of the opportunity to unite in
requesting the Generals services, with
assurances of their distinguished consider
alton and regard; and upon his signifying
his acceptance of the honor proposed, they
placed at his disposal splendid equipage
suitable and appropriate to the high sta
ton, and the Generals distinguished mill
| tary appearance. At several different
times. with all "the pomp and clrcum
stance of glorious war, and attended by
his elegant and soldierly staff, he visited
the place designed to be the scene of the
approaching contest, inspected the ap-
proaches and environm ents, laid out his
camp and Notifications, and in sundry
ways, too numerous to mention, exhibited
to his admiring friends and compatriott
startling evidences of his unimpaired anC
, unmistakable military genius and talent
He even reminded his immediate friends
and assistants, in the most impressive
manner, of my Uncle Tobys remark abou
the swearing of the army in Flanders, an(
all were unanimous in saying the Genera
was not deficient or inferior in that respec
to the most renowned Of ancient or modern
warriors; in fact, whenever the occasion
requires it. he could more than initiate tn
earnest but somewhat prOfane remarks o
D Gen. Washington to Gen. Lee at Mon
mouth.
In accordance with military require
ments. aud to illustrate the plans of attac
aud defense, the General caused his corp
e of Typographical engineers to prepare
o beautiful and detailed map of the situatio
= of the camps aud the surroundings, and i
y furtherauce of the great art of orderl
e arrangement and perspicuity of deta
called his officers around him, land CAREFUL
) explained every point Of interest and ever
evolution of the contepding forces. Her
says the General, pointing with his dextt
index finger, will be the position Of tn
d union troops-there, that Of the rebel
IT Thus far must the patriots be pushe,
al thus far the rebels; here, flank moI
"a should be made, there COULTER NOV,
ee victory should seem to alternate now
ne one side, Bow TO the other, until at tn
re point the braye boys in blue, rushing 70
Or ward with fixed bayonets in an irreSistab
or charge, should snatch the prize from Il
very jaws of defeat, and amidst the VI
leys of laundering cannon and the shou
- of the victors, the enemy should reluc
e. antly give way, become utterly demora
or lied, aud either surrender or be drive
% ANONYMOUSLY into the Moline frog pond.
!" Those who know the General WELL knc
how enthusiastically he enters upon a pr
&C ect of this kind, how bis countenance brigh
Of ems and CLOVIS with the corruscations of co
st scious genius, and with what triumpha
al wave of his hand-w beg pardon, wi
nt his sword, he can slaughter and put
nd route the enemy on paper.
~ The Generals plans were well and wis
NJ ly laid, his instructions to his suborl hat
no full and exhaustive. and he waited b
~ the auspicuous day to once more ACHE
n Immortality and renown.
~ But MAN proposes, and GOD dispose
I'M Alas! for the mutahility of human affail
In this very crisis, and so to speak. in t
liz acme of glory and historic fame, the &c
re eral refuses the crown, the plaudits
.,s patriots, the huzzahs Of millions yet u
no born, and signifies to the dismayed, Il
no expectant soldiery, that circumstances "
nc not permit him TO be present at the tor
nament of chivalry and wager of battle
he had expected-it was matter of gre
regret, of peculiar disappointment to hi
its self, he had counted so largely upon t
ng pleasures of the occasion, etc, but, real
* he must ask to be excused.
ew What so suddenly changed the Genera
us mind and led him to go back upon the BIO
I'd in tina. style God and himself only kno
he 80 far as we are concerned it is only
IS conjecture. Perhaps 1t was modest
IA trust of his own capacity-perhaps a shrin
oil. ing from the greatness thrust upon biz
ON or. nerchance. It was the memory Of thin