New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-02-20
DANA on SHERMAN.
THE GENERALS COMPACT WITH JOHNSTON.

stR. STATIONS ASSISTANT SECRETARY NOT A SPY
-SHJ RMAN NEVER WON A BIG BATTLE.
A dispatch from Pittsburg published yester-
day contained an interview with General sherman con-
eernnc the compact between General sherman and Gem
tral Johnston the close of the Cvll War; TO which The
tsa has recently given prominence. In this interview
General Sherman said harsh things about Charles
A. Dana. TRIBUNE reporter called on Mr. Dana ana
asked him If he cared to make any response thereto
1t IL hnrdly worth WHILE" said Mr.. DANA ITO
take any notice Of what General sherman sad'
There is no logic aud no cOheroncy IN MS
remarks. The fact that he made compact
with General Johnston, undertaking to settle
The political questions involved IN tho civil war; ana
that the Government repudated the compact is too no.
torous to disputed One Of the public reasons Tor re-
pu Hating this compact given by the Executive al 'he
time that 10 would re-establish slavery ana II is
very interesting TO find this Of the case. taken
An Washington by President Johnson and Mr.. Stanton,
and by Geueral Grant as well. also taken by the
Confederate Cabinet at Charlotte Whether General
Sherman himself favored slavery or not Is nothing 20
the point.
General Sherman's personal abuse OF me IL equally
foreign to the subject He says; : He lDanal
followed our army during the war as spy. 1t
was generally understood that he tolerated spy
This absurd. with the army as the repre-
Sentative Of the President sent there by him. and 1t was
known that reported to him. through the Secretary of
War every day. was Assistant Secretary Of War my
Army OF the Tennessee the Army of the Cumberland.
who did perfectly well understand my position and
the 6utes imposed. From the beginning to the end
was on the best Of terms with them ALL including Gen.
eral Sherman and In all my reports OF military opera
tions l do not remember single instance In which
TO speak OF him otherwise than favorable
But fortunately. was not present at his convention
with General Johnston. In the case OF General
Grant especially my relations were always OF
the most cordial and friendly aracter and when he
went down to Chattanooga TO take command OF the
Operations there he made special request that should
go with him II was a great advantage 10 him to have
present officer OF the Executive. to whom his wishes
could al once be made known and by whom they could
be communicated and the Secretary Of
War hout any trouble his part, or any necessity
for turning aside from the immediate duties OF his
mand.
General sherman Is now an old man, retired from
nctve lie. and enjoying the honors and the liberal
salary ich tie country has conferred upon him. He
has certain weknown weaknesses OF temper and ludg-
pent which desires to irrtate unnecessarily.
But truth mns be brought out and tho attempt to
damage reputation Of Mr.. Stanton Ivy representing
his treatment of Gen raj Sherman unjust and uude-
served cannot be tolerated. Moreover. 1t is very in
rerestiug that General sherman enjoys the reputa
ton OF being great general ana yet he never won
single important battle"