Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-02-20
SHERMAN AND THE PRESS.
A story About His First Kick in sa-
vannRh.


vannah.
Gen. Sherman's epistolary troubles Just
now recall to me a story which was told
of his attempt to control the press, soon
after he had taken possession of Savan-
nah, says Ben Perley Poore in the Boston
Budget. Among those attached TO his
army was a weil-known Boston reporter,
who was called Tom Miles, although that
was not his real name. Miles, on enter
ing Savannah. found vacated printing
office. There were types and presses and
all the parapherDalia essential TO bust
ness, with form on the press, which the
printer had left in his flight, aud Miles,
taking out the editorial and other often
sive matter, filled its columns
with Union sentiment, with the
aid of one or two of the craft
whom he had discovered in the
army. His leader was a rich specimen of
growing over the victory, in which he
| extOlled Gen. sherman as the greatest
hero since Alexander, and his army the
finest and best disciplined that the world
ever saw. With this grand flourish Of
ttumpets the first number was issued,
and Miles lay back in his editorial chair.
contemplating his work with the belief
that Ne had achieved the next triumph 10
She mans, and wondering what the con-
HhbAhA WOulu say WUtu ne saw lUG DIdiH~
es ne had heaped upon him. The next
morning, as the General and his staff
were ahoue taking breakfast, paper was
handed tOhin-the Savannah Republican,
| thlnk-and ne commenced 10 read the
leader which was so lavish in his praise.
"Look herel said he, red and furious,
"What the d does this mean1 Who
knows anything about this paperY'
His orderly, VINO had known something
ohnnF nT9nAfhffnFt al 20 a..
that it was the work of one Of the literary
gentlemen who lad followed the expedi-
ton.
"Wen," said the General, ego down to
the Office and tell him to discontinue his
paper. or Pll put him under guard.
won't have such curse d stuff printed about
me when can prevent il. Abuse is bad
enough, but this is duced sight worse"
Down went the orderly, ana the con-
fusion OF poor Miles was overwhelming
when he got the sQuelcher from the GEN
eral commanding.
"Why, it was all praise" said he.
"No matter for that. If it had been the
| other way II would have been treated Just
the same"
So Miles moved a compromised hardly
know what-and urged the official to ex-
| press his regrets and beg the removal OF
| the injunction, and soon the officer came
! back TO inform him that permission was
| granted him to run his paper on condition
| that he should never mention the GEN
erals name again. This was agreed to,
and the paper appeared. After day or
two an aide came down one morning with
an order from Gen. Sherman for publica-
| ton. Miles glanced over it and handed
| it back.
sit can't go in. SIR" said he.
"Why nOtY asked the astonished mes
| senger, who was a stranger.
Because it has Sherman's name to it,"
was the reply.
"Thats the reason why it must go in"
| urged the aide.
sand that's the reason why it shan't.
He stopped my paper for praising him,
and promised him that his name should
never appear in my columns again, and
| hang me If it shall"
Miles stood resolute, and the officer re-
! turned for orders, expecting the ordering
out of file OF men and an arrest, but was
astonished to see the General burst into
| the heartiest laugh, and hear him confess
That the printer had the best OF It. The
messenger was sent back with a cOncilia-
| tory note. and there was no moro trOu hla