The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-06-10
Gen. Logan's Military Career.

Gen. LOgan's Military Career.
Gen. Henry V. Boynton.
When the Republican ticket is formed left in
front, General Logan comes marching along at
the head of it. This is nothing new for him.
He has been about the front in all the partys
hottest times, both when armies were fighting to
establish it, and when, as its days Of peace be-
gan, he gave all his energies to help preserve
what had been won in war.
The roll of honor of the Union armies does not
contain a name worthy to stand above his, as
the best type of the volunteer officer through all
the grades, up to the commander of an army in
battle. Before he was of age he was a soldier
in Mexico. He was a Democratic congressman
from the most ~benighted political section of
Illinois when Sumter was fired on. He was a
good enough Republican to be a fighting officer
for the Union, and a very stubborn
one, too, at the battle of Bull Run. A
good many who wink now as they ask with
a knowing air whether Logan did not once con
template joining the Southern Confederacy had
not themselves, at that date, adopted the doctrine
of coercion. Suppose Logan did at first consid-
er such a step2 There were scores of men,
whose prominence in the party is not now
questioned, who were proposing peace confer
ences or serving on peace committees after Lo-
gan had enlisted as a Union soldier. He never
turned his face toward the Confederacy-eXcept
in battle. But if he had, in the early, unset
tied days, Republicans, in view of his magnifi-
cent service from the hour the first rebel gun
was fired, can give him full and effective de-
Tense against all questioners.
He enlisted as a private in 1861, With the
prestige of success as an officer in Mexico before
he became of age. At Belmont he fought as
stubbornly in the face of disaster as he had at
Bull Run. He was wounded on the Cumber-
land, at Donelson, but in spite of it reached
the field of Shiloh before the fight ended. As
early as the Vicksburg campaign he was a di-
vision commander, and at its close he had risen
to the command of the Fifteenth corps. His
merit before Vicksburg was shown by the selec-
ton of his division for the post Of honor in
marching to occupy the city.
General Logan became known to the Army of
the Cumberland when the armies of the Ten
nessee, the Ohio and the Cumberland united at
Ringgold and faced southwark for the Atlanta
campaign. AS these armies advanced along a
battle line where forfour months the firing never
wholly ceased by day or by night, everybody
came to know Logan. Brave, vigilant and ag-
g~ressive, he won universal applause. Prudent
for his men and reckless in exposing his own
person, he excited general admiration. When the
lines We're close his own headquarters were often
scarcely out of sight of the pickets, and he gen
orally had a hand in whatever deadly work
might spring up along his front.
A chapter about Kenesaw at once illustrates
his care of his men and his deep-seated aversion
w OhRCoAi6 III hiiAANSNoldA1 ny am u AAIAAN
some interesting history. With General Nc
Pherson, he was at General Sherman's head
quarters when the assault at Kenesaw was de-
cided upon. He at once protested, though at
first scarcely believing that the intention to
make the assault was earnest. When he dis
covered that it was really contemplated, he en-
phasized his protest, coupling if with the opinion
that to send the troops against that mountain
would only result in useless slaughter. Find
ing his opinion likely to be diSregarded, he went
still further and declared it to be a movement
which, in his judgment, would be nothing less
than the murder of brave men. In all of this
he was warmly seconded by General McPher-
son, They did not succeed in averting the
slaughter. But afterward, when officers
in the Army of the Cumberland
heard that General oma protest in
regard to the same matter had been in similar
terms to that of Logan, a stronger liking than
ever for Logan prevailed among those officers of
the Cumberland army who knew the facts. Thus
he ever sought to protect his men whenever he
saw that they were likely to be needlessly ex-
posed.
There was another and later event of great
Importance that raised him high in the estima-
ton of the friends of General Thomas. He had
been cut off from joining his command for the
march to the sea, and subsequently reported to
City Point for orders. He reached there just
after the first order for General Thomas's re-
moval before Nashville had been telegraphed to
Washington, and its PRONUNCIATION delayed.
For the second time General Grant had become
exceedingly lnpaGtenJi ana ueclueu TO remove
Thomas. Upon the appearance of Logan, Grant
ordered him to proceed at once to Nashville and
await orders. His instructions contemplated
his relieving General Thomas, if on his arrival
no attack had been made upon Hood.
Here was a most brilliant position
offered-that of commander of the
the Army of the Cumberland, just as it had been
recognized and put in order for battle, and stood
in its trenches ready for the word to advance.
Had ambition alone actuated him, here was the
opportunity of a lifetime of active service. But
instead of obeying the spirit of his instructions,
he proceeded with such deliberation as to prove
beyond room for cavil that self seeking was not
the motive which controlled Logan III the war.
He moved to his new post without undue haste.
He seemed to appreciate the situation far better
than Grant himself. His leisurely journey to
Nashville gave time for the battle to open under
Thomas. And when it opened Logan telegraphed
announcing the beginning of Thomas's success,
and asking to be ordered to his old command.
There is nothing in Logan's military history
more creditable than this. Many thousand vet
Grams of the Army of the Cumberland will have
this chapter in particular remembrance when
they vote this fall, and none who read about it
and admire fair play will be apt to forget it.