Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1878-08-12
SHERMAN AND SHERIDAN.
GENERAL GRANTS ESTIMATE OF THEIR
QUALITIES AS SOLDIERS.

which we gave an account of the sur
rendered. Lee in our issue of last week,
occurs the following paragraph concern
ing thse brilliant soldiers whom every
loyal american honors, Generals Sher-
idan and Sherman:
ssSe far as the war is concerned" said
he, q think history will more than ap-
prove the places given to Sheridan and
Sherman. Sherman I have known for
35 years. During that time there never
was but sne cloud over our friendship,
and that,p said the general, laughing,
blasted ABOUT three weeks. When Sher-
mans book came out Mr.. Boynton, the
correspondent, printed some letters about
it. In tlese Sherman was made to dis
parage me especially. I cannot tell you
how much | was shocked. But there
were the letters and the extracts.
could not believe it in Sherman, the
man whom l had always found SO true
and knightly, more anxious to honor
others than win honor for himself. But
there were the letters and the extracts.
So | sent for the book and resolved to
read it over, with paper and pencil, and
make careful notes, and in justice to my
comrades and myself prepare reply. [
do not think | ever ventured upon a
more painful duty. / was some time
about it. I was moving to Long Branch.
| had official duties, and I am slow
reader Then | missed the books when
I reached the Branch, and had to send
for them. So it was three weeks before
| was through. During these weeks, !"
replied the general, laughing, 81 did
not see Sherman, and I am glad I did
not. My mind was SO set by Boynton' 5
extracts that I should certainly have
UeeH colu To MIN.
"But when finished the book found
that | approved every word-that it was
true book, an honorable book-credit-
able to Sherman, just to his companions
to myself particularly so-just such a
book as | expected Sherman would write.
Then it was accurate, because Sherman
keeps diary, and he compiled the book
from notes made at the time. Then be
IS very accurate man. You cannot
imagine how pleased woe, for my ro-
spect and affection for Sherman were So
great that | look on these three weeks
as among the most painful in my re-
membrance. l wrote Sherman my opin
ion of the book. I told him the only
points I objected to were his criticisms
upon some of our civil soldiers, like Lo.
gan and Blair. AS a matter of fac
there were IN the army no two mer
more loyal than John A. Logan anG
Frank Blair. I knew that Sherman
did not mean to disparage either o
them, and that he wrote hastily. Logal
did great work for the Union in bring
ing Egypt out of the Confederacy, which
he did; and he was an admiral soldier
and is, as he always has been, an hon
orable, true man-a perfectly just ant
fair man, whose record in the army wa
brilliant. Blair also did work in tn
war emitting him to the gratitude 0
every Northern man and the respect 0
every soldier. But with these two ex
pections | approve of every line of Sher
mans book, and think it of great .valu
as history"
The general told his story of the thre
weeks cloud as though the recollectio
amused him. SHERMAN" he said, 81
not only a great soldier. but a grea
man. He is one Of the very great me
in our country's history. He is many
sided man. He is an orator with fe
superiors. AS writer he is among th
first. AS a general | know of no ma
I would put above him. Above all. b
has fine character, so frank, so SINGER,
SO out-spoken, SO genuine. There is NJ
false line in General Sherman's cha
acter,-nothing to regret. AS soldit
| knew his valor. I know what he VIZ
before Vicksburg. You see, we had tv
lines to maintain. On our side W;
Pemberton, his army and his work
: That was watching. On one rear wi
Joe Johnson, who might come at ar
time and try to raise the siege. | S
Sherman to keep that line and wate
} him. never had moments ca
while Sherman was there. don't thir
Sherman ever went to bed with b
|
clothes off during that campaign, or a
lowed night to pass without visitil
his pickets two or three times in perso
His industry was prodigious. He wor
e ed all the time. and with an enthusiast
: a patience, and a good humor that ga
him great power with the army. The
is no man living for whose character
e have higher respect than for that
r Sherman. He is not only one of t
r best men living. but one Of the create
S we have had in our history"
y "As for Sheridan, T" said the gener'
: 81 have only known him since we N
n during the war. He joined my regime
: the tenth infantry-after / left
L