National Republican., 1883-05-12
AT FORTRESS MoNnoE.
HospitsIitiss Extended to the General OF
the Army-An Old Servants Death.


Fort MONROE, May 10.--Gen. William T.
Sherman, the venerable chief Of the army,
arrived here this morning on the United
States steamer Despatch on what will proba.
bly, be his last official visit TO this post. He
was accompanied by Col. Tourtellotte, his aid
de-camp, who looks almost as old as his chief.
AS the Despatch came in sight a salute of SOW
enteen guns was fred from the flagship Ten
nessee and also from the United States steam
ship Vandalia, of the North Atlantic squad
ron, now lying off the fort and shortly after
s he came TO anchor Rear Admiral George II.
Cooper, commanding the station, accompanied
by one or two officers of his personal staff,
paid o visit to the Despatch and called upon
Gen. Sherman. Gen. George w. Getty,
commandant at the post, accompanied by
his adjutant, Lieut.. Chase, Sd artillery,
took the steam launch Monroe and went out
TO call upon the general and learn his wishes,
but when these two old friends get together
they have good deal to talk over, and it was
over an hour before those on shore, who were
awaiting their movements, perceived any in.
dicatons on their part to move. At 1880,
however, the Monroe left the side Of the Des-
patch and steamed TO the new iron pier near
the lighthouse, where the general of the
drmy and his party landed, the guns Of the
water battery bolching forth welcome. The
party aI once proceeded into tho fort by one
Of the sallyports and passed out to the parade
ground, whore tho five companies of artillery
were in line awaiting orders. AS the general
came up TO the reviewing station in front Of
group of live oaks he was surrounded by a
dozen or more friends, guests Of the Hygeia
hotel, among whom were Mrs. Barnes
and daughter, with whom he stopped short
time in conversation. The battalion, in COM
mand of Col. l.. l.. Livingstone was then
paraded and thoroughly inspected by
Gen Sherman, who was accompanied by
Con. Getty, COl.YTourtelotte, DIR. Page, and
Adjt. Chase, after which he took his post and
the troops passed in reviewed. strong-to
the cheering strains .of the artillery lschool
band. As the day was quite warm, the gem
eral dispensed with the usual routine of hav-
ing the command pass in double quick time,
much to the delight of the boys, who think
more than ever of the old man, now that he is
soon to leave them Gen. Sherman then
paid visit to the quarters Of Gen. Getty,
where reception was held, when all the
officers of the post called on their distin-
guished chief
Shortly after 10 o'clock the general an d
party returned to the Despatch where lunch
was served, after which he returned the visit
of Admiral Cooper on tho Tennessee, where
he was received with the usual honors, and
met a large number of the naval officers at
tached to this station.
At 3 o'clock the general came ashore in
the Monroe, and accompanied by Gen. Getty
proceeded to the water battery, where the
afternoon was spent in witnessing target
practice by the officers of the artillery school
with ten and fifteen inch guns in which he
manifested warm interest. Tho practice
was very fine, and the pieces were handled
in manner to call forth the unqualified
praise of this veteran artillorist. The Des-
patch will probably sail for Washington with
the general and party tomorrow.
One Of the links between past and present
generation has just passed away in the person
of old Uncle Joe Gorum," q colored man
who was buried here on Sunday last
Uncle Joe has been in the employ of the
engineer department Mt this post since
the year 1916, before the fort was
commenced. He was present and
assisted at the laying of the corner stone, and
has lived to see its completion. About the
year 1850 Joe purchased his freedom from his
master, paying $2,250 for the privilege. He
was n powerful man in his time, and at all
! times trustworthy. In 1860 Joe had by in
dustry and economy managed to save up
81 200 more, with which he purchased the
freedom of his wife. He knew all the promi.
ncnt engineer officers from Gen. Gratiot and
Gen. Lee down to Gen. DE Russey, who had
charge of the works at the breaking out of the
war, and was full of "reminiscences of the olden
time His age at the time he died was neal
ninety.