The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-04

had never seen either of them before
but | had read a great deal about them,
and particularly about Logan in the newspa
pers. Logan had been elected to Congress from
the southern district of the State, where he had
Is, 600 majority over his Republican competitor
His district had been settled by people originally
from the Southern States, and at the breaking
out of secession they sympathiZed with the
South. At the first outbreak OF the war some of
them joined the Southern army; many others
were preparing to 60; others rode over the coun-
try at night denouncing the Union, and made it
as necessary to guard railroad bridges over
which national troops had to pass in southern
Illinois, as it was in Kentucky or any of the
border slave States. Logans popularity in this
district was unbounded. He knew almost enough
Of the people by their Christian names to form
ordinary congressional district. AS he went
in politics his district was sure to go. The lie
publican papers had been demanding that he
should announce where he stood on the questions
which at that time engrossed the whole public
thought Some were very bitter in their denun-
citation of his silence. Logan was not a man to
be coerced into an utterance by threats. He
did, however come out in a speech before the
adjournment of the special session of Congress,
which was convened by the President soon after
his Inauguration, and announced his undylng
loyalty and devotion to the Union But had
not happened to see that speech, SO that when l
first met Logan my impressions were those
formed from reading denuncations of him. Nc
Clernand on the other hand, had early taken
strong grounds for the maintenance of the
Union, and had been praised accordingly by the
Republican papers. The gentleman who pre-
scented these two members of Congress asked
me if l would have any objections to their ad-
dressing my regiment. / hesitated a little be-
fore answering. It was but a few DAYS before
the time set for mastering into the United States
service such of the men as were willing to volun-
teer for three years the war. l had some
doubts TO the effect speech from Logan might
have, but as he was with McClernand, whose SEN
timents on the all absorbing questions OF the day
were well known, gave my consent McClernand
spoke first, and Logan followed IN a speech
which he has hardly equaled since for force and
eloquence. 1t breathed loyalty and devotion to
the Union, which inspired my men to such
point that they would have volunteered to re-
main in the army as long as an enemy of the
country continued to bear arms against it. They
entered the United States service, almost to
man.
General Logan went to his part of the State
and gave his attention to raising troops. The
very men who at first made it necessary to guard
the roads in southern Illinois became the de-
tenders Of the Union. Logan entered the serv-
ice as colonel of regiment, and rapidly rose
to the rank of major general His district.
which had promised at first to give much trouble
to the government, filed every call made upon
it for troops without resorting to the draft.
There was no call made when there were not
more than were asked for. That congressional
district stands credited at the War Department
to-day with furnishing more men for the army
than it was called on to supply"
In describing the advarSoo on Chattanooga,
the following is given regarding Phil Sheridan.
when General Halleck took the field in
April 1862 Sheridan was assigned to duty on
his staff. During the advance on Cornth va
cancy occurred in the colonelcy of the Second
Michigan Cavalry. Governor Blair, of Michi-
gan, telegraphed General Halleck asking him
to suggest the name of a professional soldier for
the vacancy, saying he would appoint good
man without reference to his State. Sheridan
was named, and was so conspicuously efficient,
that when Corinth was reached he was assigned
to command cavalry brigade in the Army of
the Mississippi. He was in command at Boon
vile on the 1st of July with two small regi-
ments, when he attacked by force full
three times as numerous as his own. By very
skillful maneuvres and boldness of attack he
completely routed the enemy. For this he was
made brigadier-general and became a conspic-
nous figure IN the army about Corinth. On this
occasion l was sorry to see him leave me. His
departure was probably fortunate, for he render
ed distinguished services in his field"
Here is a little touch while the army was be-
fore Vicksburg
'"Fhe news of the capture of Holly Springs and
the destruction of our supplies caused much re-
joicing among the people (rebelel remaining in
Oxford. They came with broad smiles on their
faces, indicating intense joy, to ask what was
going to do now, without anything for my SOL
diers to eat. told them l was not disturbed; 1
had already sent troops and wagons to collect all
the food and forage they could find for fifteen
miles on each side of the road. Ccuntenances
changed, and so did the inquiry. The next was:
What are we to dog My response was that we
had endeavored to feed ourselves from our own
Northern resources while visiting them but their
friends in gray had been uncivil enough to de-
StrOv what We had brought along, and it could
not be expected that men with arms in their
hands would starve in the midst of plenty. I
advised them to emigrate East or West fifteen
miles, and assist in eating up what we left"
Anent the same subject the following opinion
is expressed 81 always admired the South, as
bad as | thought their cause, for the holiness
with which they silenced all opposition and all
croaking, by press or Individuals within their
control. War at all times, whether civil war
between sections of common country or be-
tween nations, ought to be averted, if possible
with honor But once entered into it is too
much for human nature to tolerate an enemy
within their ranks to give aid and comfort to the
armies of the opposing section or nation"
Again, he says Because l would not divulge
my ultimate plans to visitors they pronounced
me idle, incompetent, and unfit to command
men in an emergency, and clamored for my re-
moval. They, we're not to be satisfied
many Of them. with my simple re-
should be. McClernand, Fremont, Hunter
and Mcclellan were all mentioned in this con-
nection. / took no steps to answer these com
plaints but continued to do my duty, as | under
stooo H. 10 the pest or my aolllty Everyone has
his superstitions. One of mine is thai in posi-
tons of great responsibility everyone should do
his duty to the best of his ability, where as
signed by competent authority without applica-
ton or the use of influence to change his posi-
ton. Persons obtaining important
commands by application or political influence
are apt to keep written record of complaints
and predictions of defeat which are shown in
case of disaster. Somebody must be responsible
for their failures"
The volume closes with retrospect of the
campaign which had ended in the capture of
Vicksburg, and brings events to the time Gen.
Grant was ordered to report at Cairo.
Grants Second Volume.
New York Mail and Express.
The manuscript of the second and concluding
volume Of Gen. Grants personal memoirs is now
entirely in the hands of the publishers of the
work, and it is expected to be ready for the