The Arizona sentinel., 1878-09-28
Sherman at Yuma.

Eighteen fine mules had been strung
along the road from here to Tyson's
Wells, to bring the General down in style
and in time to take the evening train for
California last Monday; but the mules
that took him out of Prescott had been
fed on that Yavapai corn don't both Pres
colt papers buck at once) and could not
get him to Tyson's on time. He slept at
Castle Dome, and got here on Tuesday
morning, about nine o'clock, accompanied
by his aid, Gen. McCook, Colonel of the
Tenth Infantry, Familiarity and disrespect-
fully known in the army as "Gutsy." he
remained here till evening. We caused
him to be duly interviewed. The General
is now plain, unassuming, granger-like
old gentleman, with little of the cadavcr
Gus atisterity that formerly marked him.
A gray and grizzled pow and beard show
that he has reached an age when atten-
ton is soothing and grateful. He wore a
brown alpaca buster, linen vest, quaker
pants, straw hat, and check shirt with
white collar; nary strap or brass button
about him. He and his aid had but four
small hand bags between them-less bag
gage than would have sufficed q Second
Lieutenant over night.
The General talked easily and pleasant
ly. He expressed his surprise at the
energy with which the pioneers of Art
IONA (HassyampersC were retaining the
wilderness, and (having been filled clear
up) was enthusiastic over the magnitude,
variety and wealth of our resources. He
admired the "manliness," as he termed it,
of this people. He was charmed with the
kindness and attention shown him at
Prescott. He did not say that he was
surprised to find gentlemen there, but he
did express surprise at finding so much
culture and refinement on a distant from
tier. Prescott quite got on the blind side
of him. Perhaps he will speak just as
handsomely of Yuma when he gets to
San Francisco.
He spoke at some length about the bad
effect of the law forbidding the nse of the
army as a posse comitatuS, and thought ii
would be modified by the next Congress
OF course the army is willing to render
assistance to good citizens, especially on
the frontier; but the General let us infer
that the army is being guided by the
strict letter of the statute, to let the cOun-
try see how the law works.
He thinks the Department of Arizona
will not be broken up, if the Apaches are
not moved away to Indian Territory. In
that case all posts could be abandoned
except MOhave and those required along
the Mexican border. Forts Yuma anG
Mohave would remain to awe the river
Indians The wire edge would be taker
off the Hualpais by employing them as
soldiers and scouts TO hunt out renegade
Apaches left behind. Whipple, Verde
Apache, Mcdowell, Thomas and Grant
would then be no longer needed; particu
larry after completion of railroad along
the ella. No. General Sherman did moi
seem to think that the Department o
Arizona would he wiped cut. Our army
| is small, but there will never be any trouble
in recruiting its ranks i'll time of war
The great trouble lies in obtaining gooC
officers enough. War is profession, anC
no practitioner can he skillful unless ht
"kesps his hand in" When a pugilis
trains for the ring he daily flights the
bag" So our army in time OF peace need:
a lot of Departments, to afford field fol-
keeping officers in practice; a chance fol-
them to play Commissary and Quarter
master, and to learn all about ambulance'
and red ink. These are not the Generals
exact words; but his ideas are correct
The Department of Arizona is a military
necessity, and it will not be merged init
the Department of New Mexico, or intt
any other necessity.
| The General now knows all about thi
country; he has seen it. When the Cabi
net is at loss what to do with Arizon;
nail contractors Hayes can send for Sher
man.