The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-28

by their Christian names to form an ordinary
congressional district AS he went in politics so
his district was sure to go. The Republican pa
pers had been demanding to know where he
stood on the questions which at that time en-
crossed the whole OF public thought. Some
were very bitter in denunciation of his silence.
Logan was not a man TO be coerced into an ut
terance by threats He did, however, come out
in speech before the adjournment of the special
session of Congress which was convened by the
president, soon after his Inauguration. and an
nounced his undying loyalty and devotion to the
Union. But had not happened to see that
speech, so that when l first met Logan my i'm
presslons were those formed from reading de-
nunciations of him. McClernand, on the other
hand, had early taken strong grounds for the
maintenance of the Union. and had been praised
accordingly by the Repu blican papers The gen.
teman who presented these two members of
Congress asked me if would have any objection
10 their addressing my regiment | hesitated a
little before answering. 1t was but a few days
before the time set for mastering into the United
States service such of the men as were willing to
volunteer for three years of the war l had some
doubt as to the effect speech from Logan might
have but as he was with McClernand, whose
sentiments on the al-absorbing questions of the
day were well known, gave my consent Nc
Clernand spoke first, and Logan followed in d
speech which he has hardly equaled since for
force and eoquence. It breathed loyalty and
devotion to the Union which inspired my men to
such point that they would have volunteered to
remain in the army as long as 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 ut first made it necessary to guard
the roads in southern Illinois became defenders
of the Union. Logan entered the service him
self 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, filled every call made upon il
for troops without resorting to the draft. There
was no call made when there were not more vol
unteers than were called for. That congress
ional district stands credited at the War Depart
ment to-day with furnishing more men for the
army than it was called on to supply"
In another part of the Memoirs Grant pays
the following compliment to Logans military
qualifications: II regard Logan and Croker as
being competent division commanders as
could be found in or out of the army, and both
equal to much higher command"
Logan was present at the fall of Vicksbnrg,
and Grant SPEAKS of his division thus: 'Lo-
CAMS division. which had approached nearest the
rebel works, was the first to march in; and the
flag of OF his regiments was soon floating
over the courthouse Our soldiers were no
sooner inside than the two armies began to fra
ternize Our men had full rations from the
time the siege commenced to the close. The
enemy had been suffering, particularly towards
from their haversacks and giving it to the enemy
they had recently been engaged in starving
out 1t was accepted with avidity and with
thanks"
One other remark, wherein the names of Lo-
gan and Croker were coupled again. is especial
ly worthy of mention. 1t occurs in the closing
references to the siege of Vicksburg "Logan
and Croker ended the campaign fitted to COM
mand independent armies"
Speaking of General Shermans selection of
TpnaFAl Howard i'm tn IN M
mand the Army of the Tennessee, General
Grant wrote: Logan felt very much aggrieved
at the transfer of General Howord from that
portion of the Army of the Potomac which was
then with the Western army, to the command
of the Army of the Tennessee with which army
General Logan had served from the battle of
Belmont to the fall of Atlanta, having passed
successfully through all grades from colonel
commanding regiment to general commanding
a brigade, division, and army CORPS, until, upon
the Death of Mcpherson, the command of the
entire Army of the Tennessee devolved upon
him in the midst of holly -contested battle. He
conceived that he had done his full duty in that
engagement, and can bear testimony from per-
sonal observation, that he had proved himself
fully equal to all the lower positions which he
had occupied a soldier. 1 will not question the
motive which actuated Sherman in taking an Off
GER from another army to supersede General Lo-
gan. l have nc doubt whatever that he did this
for what he considered would be to the good of
the service, though l doubt whether ne had an
officer with him who could have filled the place
as Logan would have done. Differences of opin-
ion must exist between the best of friends as to
policies in war; and of judgment as to mems ft-
ness. The officer who has the command how
ever. should be allowed to judge of the fitness of
the officers under him, unless he is very mani
testify wrong"
Referring to his purpose to supersede Thorn
as, General Grant wrote General Logan hap
pening to visit City Point about that time. and
knowing him as a prompt, gallant and efficient
officer, | gave him an order to proceed to Nash
vile to relieve Thomas. / directed him. how
ever. not to deliver the order publish it until
he reached there and if Thomas had moved,
then not to deliver it at ALL but communicate
with me by telegraph After Logan started In
thinking over the situation, became restless,
and concluded to go myself. / went as far as
Washington City, when dispatch was received
from General Thomas announcing his readiness
at last to move and designating the time of his
movement / concluded to wait until that time
He did move, and was successful from the start.
This was the 10th of December. General Logan
was at Louisville at the time this movement
was made, and telegraphed the fact to Washing
ton, and proceeded no further himself"