The Press., 1885-08-20


 God that the taciturn, modest major gen. eral had demonstrated his fitness to lead to victory the hosts of brave men who were ready to march at his command, even to the death, that the honor of our country be maintained.
 Soon he returned to his command, and the victory of Chattanooga was added to his successes. This victory carried Grant almost to the crest of the wave. of popu- larity. Resolutions of thanks were passed by state legislatures. Congress, by an an act, struck a gold medal for him. Gen. eral Halleck, in his annual report declared that, considering the strength of the rebel position and the difficulty of storming it's intrenchments, the battle of Chattanooea must be considered the most remarkable in history.
 A resolution was introduced in congress renewing for General Grant the grade of lieutenant-general, never before held ex- cept by Washington and by Winfield Scott by brevet appointment. He was soon to leave the west where he had won such sig nal victories to repair to Washington to assume the supreme command of the army. Before leaving the west he addressed letter to General Sherman. which is so characteristic and so maagnanamous that the following extract, trust, will not prove unlntereStlng .. .".
 'Whilst have been eminently successful ill this war, in at least gaining the confidence of the public, no one feels more than do how much of this success is due to the energy and skill and harmonious putting forth of that energy and skill of those whom it has been my good fortune to have occupying sub ordinate positions under me. There are many officers to whom these remarks are applica- ble, 10 greater or less degree, proportionate to their ability, as soldiers; but what want is to express my thanks to you and McPher- son, as the men to whom, ,.above all others, feel indebted for whatever have had of sue cess"
 cannot refrain from quoting General Shermans charming and manly reply, both letters indicating how their great ma lures were above the petty jealousies which are too apt to exist among men prominent in military as we'll as political circles:
 "You do yourself injustice, and us too much honor, Ill assigning to us too large share of the merits which have led to your high advancement. know you approve the friendship have ever professed to you and will permit me to continue as heretofore to manifest it on all proper occasions. You are now Washington's legitimate successor, and occupy position of almost dangerous eleva- tion; but if you can continue as heretofore, to be yourself, simple, honest and unpretend- ing, you will enjoy through life the respect and love of friends, and the homage of mil lions of human beings that will award you a large share in securing to them and their de- scendants government of law and stability l repeat you do McPherson and myself too much honor. At Belmont you manifested your traits, neither of us being near. At Donelson, also, you illustrated your whole character. was not near, and McPherson in too subordinate a capacity to influence you. Until you had won Donelson, confess was almost cowed by the terrible array of anarchial elements that presented themselves at every point but that admitted a ray of light, which I have followed since.
 ''I believe you are as brave, patriotic and just as the great prototype Washington as unselish, kind hearted and honest as a man should be; but the chief characteristic is the simple faith in success you have always mani fested, which can liken to nothing else than the faith the christian has in his Savior This faith gave you the victory at Shiloh and Vicksburg. Also, when you have completed your best preparations, you go into battle without hesitation, as at Chattanooga-no doubts, no answers-and, tell you, it was this that made me act with confidence. ] knew wherever I was that you thought of me; and if I got in a tight place you would help me out if alive. My only point of doubt J of books of science and history; but l con- fess your common sense seems to have SUD- piled all these.'
 What grand testimony from brother officer, and how well deserved, subsequent history proves beyond question. At this period we find U. s. Grant ill supreme command of the army. In the west he had achieved great success. The war in the east under various commanders had made but little progress. Whatever were the causes that led to this lack of progress, and many are named, still the great fact existed that the rebellion was apparently was no nearer a close than it was about three years before. How all eyes were turned to the young and successful com mander, the hero of Shilo, Vicksburg and Chattanooga, and how many prayers as- cended to Heaven in his behalf from fam fly altars all over our land. How the hon. est president looked to him in this time of dire distress as the instrument under God to lead to termination of these terrible hostilities and bloodshed. President Lin coin, with his keen, discerning mind, had discovered the grand military genius pos sessed by the new commander. When Lincoln presented the commission consti- tuting him lieutenant general of the army of the U. s., he said, in part
 "Wlth this high honor devolves on you an additional responsibility. AS the coun- try herein trusts you, so under God it will sustain you. I scarcely need to add that with what I here speak for the nation goes my own hearty personal concurrence"
 You will pardon me I trust if give Grants characteristic reply:
 "Mr. President-I accept the commis- sion with gratitude for the high honor conferred. With the aid of the noble armies that have fought on so many battle fields for our common country, it will be my earnest endeavor not to disappolnt your expectations. I feel the full weight of the responsibilities now devolving on me : and know that if they are met it will be due to these armies, and, above all, to the favor of that Providence which leads both nations and men,"
 Grant had accepted the new rank with a full consciousness of the great responsibil- ity of the position. He re-organized cer- tain branches of the army, and was soon prepared for active duty, with headquarters in the field and with the army of the Po- tomac. Other generals had been there be- fore him, and had made no appreciable progress.
 Thousands of precious lives had been offered on their country's altar, and still l. 1s--.l Il FryI q