The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-07-16

in supposing the enemy to be part of Lyon's
command up to the moment they received 9
full volley at short range
Still, war is a desperate game, wherein often
the most rash and hasty resolves often win
when prudence and canton fail so l must mol
be construed as a critic of the battle OF WI
sons Greek. believe Gen. Lyon did what he
supposed right; he lost his life, and is entitled
TO our praise and gratitude.
know he did much to save Missouri to the
National cause, and / believe Missouri was
then and still is essential to the perpetuity ol
the Union.
MORAL EFFECT OF THE BATTLE
The defeat at Wilson's Creek, for it was 8
defeat, happening so soon after that OF Bul
Run had a damaging effect at first. but IN the
end it helped to arouse the people of our coun-
try to the magnitude of the war that was then
upon u.s. and to create those vast armies which
| in due time gained consistency and experience
| which made ultimate success both certain and
honorable to the Nation.
The ladies and gentlemen who took us to the
| battlefield, mindful of our creature wants, had
carried in their carriages baskets, which, when
unpacked on clean linen tableclOths in the
shade of trees which were saplings when Lyon
died, made feast that satisfied US all, and fur.
nished plenty to people who had come there
| knowing of our intended visit.
Toward evening we drove back to Spring.
| field by the route of Lyons march to the bat
tie, via west of Wilson's Creek. varied of course
by the many "turnouts" caused by farmers
forcing the roads to go around their farms.
For their sakes | pray that war may not
come again TO Southwest Missouri for am
sure soldiers will never march around field
| when they can cut across.
We regained Springfield after pretty hard
days ride early enough to make some personal
visits, to say good-by to our most kind and
hospitable friends, and made for the night
train, which brought us back to our home in
st. Louis in time to fulfill another Decoration
Day engagement in Illinois.
In this connection, will send you the letter
wrote to the Quartermaster-Genera of the
Army, who has charge of the National Gene.
teries and Of all disbursements for their main
tenance Yours, W. T. SHERMAN.
GEN. SHERMAN TO THE QUARTERMAsTER'
GENERAL.
[Copy.]
9l2 GARRISON AVE-,
ST. LOUIS Me-, June %, 1885.
GEN. s. B. HoLABIRD, Quartermaster-General
Washington, ID. G.
DEAR SIR: Yesterday having occasion to seek fol
certain information about the National Cemetery ri
Springfield, Mo-, went to Col. Foster, Depot
Quartermaster, who showed me the last official re-
port of Superintendent Mckenna, which he said
would reach you in due season.
invite your personal notice to this particular
report especially to that part in which he refers o
the exercises there on last Decoration Day, May
30th.
He estimates the number of people present al
25,000 This Is a larger number than / had sup
posed, but surely the crowd was exceptional My
own conclusion is that the annual assemblage oi
our people at these National Cemeteries is having
an excellent effect, and should be encouraged in
every way possible OF these there 81, with
about $50 600 interments. AS rule they are hand
somely walled i'm and e,nbellished with neat head
stones and guarded by the most faithful of all men
old Regular soldiers. / think you should pre-
pare printed volume somewhat like our Depart
ment Commanders do of their military posts Civ.
ing map of each, with a condensed description
name of Superintendent number of graves. etc
Gradually you also order that each cemetery
will have a stand for the public exercises, with q
reasonable space, free of graves, for the audience
At Springfield this was impossible, and Supt
McKenna did the best possible in putting small
rough platform outside the wall and against 1t In
the new purchase. The speakers had TO stand on
the coping of the wall and the vast audience had
to stand for two and more hours round about a.
they best could.
Whatever Uncle Sam does ought to be durable
and generous, and honor Gen. Megs for what he
did at Arlington and elsewhere in this connection
/ am certain that every dollar spent for these
purposes will pay large interest in ardent, earnest
patriotism.
As always, your friend, W. T. SHERMAN.