The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-09-12

Sherman was president concluded its labors.
and he set out Immediately for St Louis, to
avoid, if possible, being caught in the political
storm. Johnson cajoled him, tempted him, and
f1attered him in vain. Repeatedly the President
said he wanted Sherman in Washington. but
Sherman as often declined to remain; and John
son did not order him to stay.
On the 31st of January, the day after offering
Sherman the position of Secretary OF War,
Johnson sent letter to Grant recapitulating in
detail and ratifying all the charges that had
hitherto been only anonymously made. On the
Sd of February Grant replied, denying every
one of Johnson's assertions, and charging the
President outright with an attempt to destroy
his character before the country. johnson
forthwith issued an order for Sherman to return
to Washington, but with his usual vacilation in
a day or two rescinded it, On the 10Th of Feb
ruary, however, the order was renewed, and
Sherman was directed to assume command of
new military division created for the occasion,
with headquarters at Washington. Grant no.
tilted him of this by telegram and Sherman re-
Piled ''Were prepared should resign on the
spot, as it requires no foresight to predict such
must be the Inevitable result in the end"
johnson now sent to the Senate the nomina-
ton of Sherman for the brevet of general, which
would enable the President to place him in COM
mand of the army instead of Grant, but Sherman
instantly telegraphed to his brotherin the Senate
to oppose the confirmation. The day
he wrote second letter to the President,
which he forwarded through Grant TO Grant
himself he said 81 never felt SO troubled in my
life. Were it an order to 60 TO Sitka. to the
devil, to battle with rebels or Indians, think
you would not hear whimper from me- Ny
first thoughts were of resignation. and had
made up my mind to ask Dodge for some place
on the Pacific railroad, and then again various
colleges ran through my memory. but hard times
and an expensive family have brought me back.
If was certain that you would accept the nomi-
nation of President in May I would try and kill
the intervening time and then Judge of the
chances, but do not want you to reveal your.
plans till you choose to do So"
twas hard TO drive Sherman out of the army
or compel him to oppose his friend-to force these
men into such positions, who had done what
they had done for the country-all for the sake
OF enabling johnson to triumph over the will of
the people who had won in the war; Johnson
place. The strain between Grant and Sherman
was terrible; the feeling pitiable.
Sherman's letter to the President was as en-
phatic as that to Grant He declared: "If l
could see my way clear to maintain my family
would not hesitate moment to resign my pres
emit commission and seek some business wherein
could be free from these unhappy compiled
tons that seem to be closing about me-"
He implored a revocation of the order,
and continued: "By being placed in Washington
will be universally construed as a rival to the
Generalin-chief, a position damaging to me in
the highest degree. Our relations have always
been most confidential and friendly, and If I'M
happily any cloud of difference should arise be-
tween us, my sense of personal dignity and duty
would leave me no alternative but resignation
shall proceed to arrange for it as rapidly as
possible, SO that when the time does come. as it
surely will if this plan is carried into effect, I
may act promptly" He ended by pronouncing
''the blow one of the hardest I have sustained
in life somewhat checkered by adversely"
The feeling and conduct of Sherman at this
crisis cannot be fully appreciated without remem-
bering that he did not approve the course of
Congress in many respects. and would certainly
have preferred more lenient policy toward the
South. But questions like these were now far in
the background, and the vices Of johnson were
such as Sherman never could have Endorsed.
There WERE indeed, many honorable and loyal
men who believed that the course originally in
dicated by the President would have been more
fortunate for the country. and at this distance
of time all can see instances in which
Congress might have acted with greater
wisdom; but the crooded arts and iniqui-
tous Vaccinations of the obstinate, cunning,
malicious man at the head Of the government
can recommend themselves neither to patriots
nor men of honor, at the North or South, Demo
orats or Republicans. They cost the country
dear The bullet OF Booth did more harm to the
South than to the illustrious martyr who received
it, or to the unhappy maniac by whose hand Lin
coin fell.
Grant as we'll as Sherman was tortured by the
petty craft of him whom fate had thrust into
position where he could tyrannize over greater
natures than his own. Grant now appealed to
Sherman to write out his recollections of the in
terview at which he had been present with the
President, in order to counterbalance the asser
tions Of Johnson's Cabinet ministers. On the
18th Of February, again, Grant wrote to his
friend, calling for his support in the attacks upon
his honor:
'Your letter to the President which you in
formed me by telegraph on Friday last had been
mailed through me, has not yet come to hand.
1t may come to-day. The course you have pur-
sued has given immense satisfaction, SO far as
have heard any expression of opinion. The dis
patch you sent to Senator Sherman has not been
published, but it is understood to DO the ground
of his action in the Senate. You see by the pa
pers Mr.. j. has been expressing surprise at your
action saying that his course was understood
between you before you left, and that you
did not seem to disapprove it. OF course.
I do not expect to make any use of the
letter which you have written, in my own vindi-
cation, but l thought your letter to the Presi-
dent might set you right in the estimation Of
manila who do not know vnn "a wall as I do and