The Indianapolis journal., 1885-07-29
Much was hoped for

Army OF the Potomac. Much was hoped for
from Grant, and much was needed There had
been no counterparts in the East to his brilliant
victories in the West. The war in the East had
thus far been hardly more than drawn game;
and political influences shifted commanders so
rapidly and embarrassed movements in the field
so greatly that those who might have accom-
pished something had little time or chance to
do it in. Now General without any politics
was to try his hand, and the politicians by this
time were little afraid to meddle. For tie
first time since the opening of the war one gen
eral commanded all the armies. Grant had 700,-
900 men. and to aid him there were 600 ships
and 4, 900 cannon. Now, as at almost every crisis
he had passed through IN the war, he had the
supreme good fortune to be supplied with
abunance of men and every facility
for organizing victory. He at once
planned two campaigns against the vitals
of the Confederacy-one under General Meade
against Richmond. where Lee was. and the other
under Sherman against Atlanta, where Johnston
was. story is told of little encounter be-
tween Grant and Stawnton just before the march
began toward the Wilderness. 1t had always
been Stantons policy as Secretary of War to
keep the forts about Washington strongly garri-
soned for the protection of the capital. When
Grant called upon him before starting toward
Richmond the Secretary said: ''Well, General,
| suppose you have left US enough men to
strongly garrison the forts"
NO. can't do that was Grants quiet an
swer.
"Wby not7 Why not7 Why nota' repeated
the Secretary nervously.
Because l have already sent the men to the
'front.'
Said the Secretary, still more nervously:
THAT wont do. It's contrary to my plans
cannot allow it. will order the men back"
To this General Grant returned, with quiet de-
termination: II shall need the men there, and
you cannot order them back
why notG Why not? Why not? cried the
Secretary.
81 believe that / rank the Secretary in this
matter remarked General Grant
Every we'll we will see the President about
that" responded the Secretary, sharply. II will
have to take you to the President
THAT is right The President ranks US both. :"
So they went to the President, and the Secre
tary, turning to General Grant, said Now
General, state your case"
But the General calmly replied: Il have no
case 10 state. | am satisfied as it is" This
threw the burden Of statement on Secretary
Stanton, and was encellent strategy. Meanwhile
General Grant had the men. When the Secre-
tary had concluded Lincoln crossed his legs,
rested bis elbow on his knee, and said, in his
quaint way and with a twinkle in his eye
Now. Secretary you know we have been
trying to manage this army for nearly three
years. and you know we haven't done much with
it. We sent over the mountains and brought
Mr. Grant, as Mrs. Grant calls him. to manage
it for u.s. and now | guess we'd better let Mr.
Grant have his own way" And accordingly Mr.
Grant did.
The Generals first interview with President
Lincoln is described in the autobiography as
follows:
In my first interview with Mr.. Lincoln alone
he stated to me that he had never professed TO
be military man, or to know how campaigns
should be copducted, and never wanted to inter
fere in them. but procrastnation the part of
commanders and the pressure of the people at
the North and of Congress, which, like the poor
he had always with him" had forced him into
issuing his well known series of Executive Or
ders" He did not know but they were all
wrong, and did know that some of them were
All be wanted. or had ever wanted, he said, was
that some one would take the responsibility and
act and call on him for all the assistance needed