The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-03-13
JUST LIKE SHERMAN.
A Characteristic Letter from the Generals
L.

A Characteristic Letter from the Generals
Modest az Ever.
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
inelose you copy of a letter which Cen
eral Sherman did me the honor to send me
some time SINCE aud which he has given his
consent to publish. In letter received to-day
from him, dated March 5, he says: i still
adhere to nay conclusion net to be drawn into
any candidacy for the Department Commander
or Commander Chief, but to remain, as now,
an ex-Post commander. The fact that / have
Joined the Order is sufficiently public, and
swells my correspondence to an inconvenient
extent; indeed, il you could In some way
convey TO the old soldiers the fact that am
not the Commissioner of Pensions and that
have not the power to compel Congress to pass
laws to suit every mans case, you will do me
an act Of special service. Every such letter
has to be answered by me in person, and then
| must send their long appeals to General
Dudley, Commissioner Of Pensions-himself q
soldier with big heart" He also goes on to say
that he does not object to the publishing of the
incIosed letter in TIE NATIONAL TRIBUNE. at
Washington, which, he understands, is devoted
exclusively TO the interests of the Grand
Army.
The following is the letter referred to:
9l2 GARRISON AVENUE
ST. LOUIS, Mo-. January q 1884.
ALBIoH Il. PEAsE, Assistant Adiutant- Generais De-
partDlent OF missouri, Kansas City.
BY DEAR SIR: IL is but right should aoknowl-
edge receipt from you of the printed report of the
journal of the seventeenth annual session of the
National Enoampment of the Grand Army of the
Republic, held at Denver, July %. 1888 it affords
me the means of easily understanding some of the
affairs and internal working of an organization
resulting from the civil war, of which am now a
member and TO which am perfectly willing to
give share OF my thoughts and time.
have just concluded what may be construed as
fair share of the duties whieh every man owes to
his fellow-man in his day having served in every
grade except two (najor and leutenant-colonei|
IN the Regular army, or from cadet to General-in-
Chlef, ana IN a few days will be retired by
OF the years fixed by Congress at which all officers
OF the army are presumed to be disqualified for
active service on account age. have chosen st.
LOUIS as the nome Ia which to spend the evening
OF my days. and, matter of course and of fact
have not accumulated fortune or means to pro-
vide for those dependent on me, and should give
Tune and attention to this branch of duty, for /
confess the most painful part of my life has been
oecasioned by the appeals for help from the filmi-
lies and descendants of the soldiers who preceded
us IN defending our country and people from pub
lie enemies, civilized and savage, and feel a sort
OF bqgbear at the thongla of leaving mine to =
similar fate.
Hundreds and thousandyappeal to me personally
Tor help, who do not presume to ask of coonels
captains or even priyates High rank has its cares
and troubles quite as much as humble positions:
and to those who know me am willing TO assert
that captain is better paid than general for his
salary Is better preportoned to his necessities than
generals. am sure that unmarried ieuten-
ant had more OF surplus than colonel or
general with family aud the demands made by
the military world. / Joined the Grand Army for
the frst time here in ST. Louis at which you Off
ciated, because deemed it proper to unite with
some one OF the organizations resulting from the
civil war; and this one seemed to fulfill the .,eces-
sites Of Charity and Loyalty completely than
the Loyal League or the separate army societies
wn n mad previously been associated with, but
] lind disposition TO elevate me to higher honors
and larger responsibilities than am willing to
undertake.. With the Grand Army of the Repuf,-
lie ali distinctions of rank are leveled and we all
stand on common footing. The private is as
eligible 1.-THE posts OF Department Commander and
or full general
have resolved not to disturb this rule, and to
continue simply as private, not in any depaagogi-