The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-27
XVIII.

After organizing new regiment Con. Palmer
returned TO the front and was assigned by Gen.
Rosecrans TO the command OF the First Division
OF the Army OF the Mississippi lie was ordered
to join Gen. Buell. at Nashville. Palmer was
then at Tuscumbia. 1t was a long and danger
Gus march. The whole OF Tennessee north and
east OF the Tennessee River had been aban-
doned by the Union troops. The inhabitants
were intensely malignant and tho guerrillas UNI
usually active. The General had daily skir-
mishes with bushwhackers. In Pulaski he de-
tailed guard TO protect the town. After his
division had passed through the residents or
dered this guard to surrender as prisoners.
AT Rutherford Centre the General felt the need
OF cavalry. He issued an order for all spare
horses along the line to be mounted by active
men. who were to act rs scouts The men I'M
derstood the order to moan that they should
seize all horses and mules for the purpose Of
mounting the infantry. On reaching Spring
Hill the. General WAS greeted by hundred
mounted infantry riding on all sorts Of ami
mails. At least hfty planters came into camp
that night In search Of horses and mules. which
were given 70 them. Gen. Palmer arrived at
October and November wore spent in skir-
mishes with Wheeler and Morgan. In December
there was an onward movement. The advance
was productive OF the battle Of Stone River,
in which Gen. Palmer greatly distinguished
himself. His division occupied the most i'm
eventual Slst of December he held the advance
for hours after the right wing had fallen back.
Al one, period when occupying an extreme
and artillery was concentrated upon his divi-
sion. II seemed rs though his devoted command
had become isolated and was forgotten. He
fully appreciated his situation and the impor-
lance Of holding his position. The advancing
tcTts s tesissfhf &s a6dihoSSsSs ara 4lp at a.
vance OF tho enemy on that portion Of the
bloody Held was stayed. For galiAntry and tx IN
on this occasion the Kentucky boy was made q
MM0r-Gesnernl, his commission dating from tho
battle OF Stone River.
Gen. Palmer remained in command Of his
division until the battle OF Chickamauga.
where his division was one OF those which re-
NAMED unhroken and fought the Coincide
made commander of tho Army rnIS''S OF The The
Cumberland. Palmer succeeded to the COM
fresh laures at Missionary Ridge. After tho
battle OF Peach Tree Creek he was ordered to
t ms, position in the rear q the Army Of the
ONO, and To support Gen. Schoheld, A Ques-
ton OF rank arose between the Generals. Pal
mer said that rank made no difference 10 him.
and ms Schohed was in charge OF the move
ment he held himself subject TO his orders
Soon afterward Gen, sherman met Palmer, and
told him that he thought he WAS wrong. Palmer
replied that he had waived all question OF
rank and was awaiting orders from Schoneld.
Gen. sherman rode on 10 Schoned's headquar-
ters On that night ne sent a letter to Gen.
Palmer, saving that his voluntary consent to
obey Schohed was not enough, and he must
acknowledge an inieriority OF rank. Gen.
Palmer asked 10 be- relieved. Sherman replied
That was not honorable 10 ask 10 be relieved in
the presence OF the enemy. He repeated that
Schofield was the ranking officer, and asserted
that ne had consulted Thomas and Thomas
agreed with him. Gems. Thomas and Palmer
were the warmest friends. and the latter rode
over 20 the formers headquarters. Thomas de-
MED Sherman's assertion in toto. BY his adj
vice Gen. Palmer determined to waive the ques-
ton OF rank until the end of the campaign. 1t
was supposed that would settle the difficulty
put on the following night 10 his utter aston
lshment Gen. Palmer received letter from
Gen. sherman, saying that he Understood from
Gen. Thomas that he tPalmerl intended to offer
his resignation AT the end OF the campaign. II
So he might fairly say that the campaign was
already closed. and resign. Palmer answered
IN enect, that Yesterday. when | asked
you wrote that | could not honorably
do so In presence Of the enemy. Now you write
Otherwise. On this plain evidence OF your un-
frlcndllness conceive that can hc Of no SER
wee under your command and respec fully ask
70 be relieved. reserving to myself the right TO
determine whether II II proper to quit the SER
wee altogether" sherman referred the letter
back To Thomas. and that great General told
Palmer that in view Of Gen. Shermqn's feelings
toward the Army OF the Cumberland. he thought
ne couldn't do him better service than to grant
his application.
Gen. Palmer went home on Aug. 10 1868. He
Immediately rendered his resignation To Presi-
dent Lincoln. saying that he neither wished To
Do one OF his unemployed Generals nor to ba
sent TO relieve any man who was doing good
service. The President replied on the back OF
one OF his cards that no would lot him know his
conclusion hereafter.