The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-09-05
GRANT IN PEACE.


gan at tho battle of Shiloh. They had been to-
gether at West Point, but in different classes,
for Sherman was two years the senior; aud they
never met afterward either in the army or in
civil life till Grant went to Pittsburg Landing
The great struggle there in which they were so
nearly worsted, and in which the splendid gal
lantry of one so admirably supplemented the
stubborn pluck of the other; the odium that
came upon Grant afterward, which Sherman
shared for a time, doubtless disclosed qualities
in each to the other that the world had then not
recognized; and the companionship under dan
ger, responsibility and detraction made them
indeed brothers-in-arms
Soon after this, when Grant touched the low
est point in his career; when the press declared
and she country believed that his course had
precipitated defeat; when his superiors distrust
ed and dsparaged him even more profoundly
than the press or the countryside future Gen
eralin-chief for once was respondent. He asked
to be relieved from duty and sent to the rear.
The order was given and the arrangements were
made; camp chests and papers were ready But
Sherman discovered the intention, and urged
so strongly that Grant should remain that his
advice and influence prevailed. It was thus
he who kept Grant with that army which both
were destined to lead to so many victories
At Vicksburg, it is we'll known that Sherman
disapproved the browning strategy but did his
best to falsify his disapproval; and when success
finally came and others attributed to him the
conception of the campaign, he told the story of
his own opposition which Grant had scrupulous
~ concealed. The very letter that Sherman had
destroyed, but Sherman sent me a copy years
afterward for my History of Grants Campaigns,
TO testify that Grant was entitled to the credit
of the victory. But for him the truth could
never have been proved
When Grant was made General-in-chief he
sent me with an extraordinary private letter to
Sherman in which he declared: How far your
execution of whatever has been given to you to
do entities you to the reward l am receiving,
you cannot know as we'll as l." But Sherman
was not to be outdone in magnanimity, and re-
piled: you do yourself injustice and us too
much honor in assigning US too large a share in
the merits which have led to your high advance
ment." Seldom in history have men holding
such positions held to each other such words.
Those. however, were not meant for the
world. They were the interchange of intimate
sentiment between closest friends. Butin Novem-
Der. 1864 after Sherman had started on his mem
orable march. and disappeared for month from
the countrys eager gaze, accompanied Grant
on visit to the North. He went to Washing
ton, Philadelphia and New York. Everywhere
the most important people of the country
crowded around him, all eager for his judgment
nf Ghapraon Aooi nd IN ard do
clare to these makers of opinion that Sherman
was the greatest soldier living. demonstrated
with him in private. but he repeated-that was
his opinion.
Indeed, l always felt for years that Grant did
not do himself justice in his own thought He
was so unconscious and uncritical of himself
that he could not properly compare himself with
others. The peculiar character of Sherman's
genius fascinated him quite as absolutely as it
did anybody in the country, and made him feel
that Sherman had at least as much right to the
first place as he. He almost seemed sorry at
times that Sherman had not attained it.
But he became used to greatness. He began
his career with very modest idea of his own
abilities, but as he grew up into prominence he
found he could do as we'll as any around him,
and he had no fear, after knew him, to assume
any place or undertake any task. But, though
he never felt overshadowed by any one, for
a long while when he looked at Sher-
mans achievements he was dazzled; and
when he regarded Sherman's attachments
and his peculiar gifts, which were just those
he did not himself possess. he felt his own de-
fciencies Sherman was eloquent, animated,
magnetic, learned in military history, ready to
quote or refer to the examples of other com
manders-above all brilliant Grant knew that
he was none of these and though never lacking
self.confdenee he was often impressed by Sher
mans splendid qualities till he forgot the weight
due 30 his own soberer, bat more essential
merits
To these Sherman himself was never blind.
He appreciated fully Grants remarkable poise,
and that absolute confidence in success which he
likened to the faith Christian has in the
Savior He knew that Grants very lack of i'm
aginaton was sometimes an advantage in battles
for he once said: when go into battle am
always thinking what the enemy will do, but
Grant don't care damn" He reposed on the
calm strength of his friend, and the two made
combination that served themselves and the
country better than if they had been counter
parts.
Sherman arrived triumphant at Savannah, and
then the tickle crowd declared for awhile that he
ought to supplant Grant The chief had lain for
nearly year in front of Richmond, and won not
a single undisputed victory; while Sherman had
fought his way to Atlanta and then marched
across the Confederacy to the sea. A bill was
accordingly meditated to make Sherman lieuten-
ant-general and eligible to command the army
But Sherman wrote to his brother in the Senate
to prevent the plan while to Grant he said 81
would rather have you in command than any
one else l should emphatcally decline any
command calculated to bring us into rivalry. {"
To this Grant answered simply: eff you
should be put in command and put subor-
~