The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-01
TOO MUCH FOR SHERMAN.
The Generals Experience with an Editor Who
Praised Him Too Highly.

Praised Him Too Highly.
Ben: Perley Poore, in Boston Budget.
General Sherman's epistolary troubles just
now recall to me story which was told of his
attempt to control the press, soon after he had
taken possession of Savannah. Among those
attached to his army was well-known Boston
reporter, who was called Tom Miles. although
that was not his real name. Miles, on entering
Savannah, found a vacant printing Office There
were types and presses. and all the paraphernala
essential to business. with form on the press,
which the printer had left in his fight, andMiles,
taking out the editorial and other offensive mat
ter filled its columns with healthy Union senti-
ment. 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 General Sherman as the
greatest hero since Alexander, and his army as
the finest and best disciplined the world ever
saw. With this grand flourish of trumpets the
first number was issued, and Miles lay back in
his editorial chair. contemplating his work with
the belief that he had achieved the next triumph
to Sherman's, and wondering what the conquerer
would say when he saw the praises he had heaped
upon him. The next morning, as the General
and his staff were about taking breakfast, a pa
per was handed to him-the Savannah Repub-
lican, think-and he commenced to read the
leader which was so lavish in his praise.
'Look here" said he, red and furious. "What
the ID does this meant Who knows anything
about this paper2"
His orderly. who had known something about
its preparation, explained to him that it was the
work of one of the literary gentlemen who had
followed the expedition.
.'WelI," said the General, go down to the Office
and tell him to discontinue his paper or I'll put
HIM under guard I won't have such cursed
stuff printed about me when I can prevent it.
Abuse is bad enough but this is deuced sight
worse"
Down went the orderly and the confusion Of
poor Miles was overwhelming when he got the
squelcher from the General commanding.
"Why, it was all praise" said he.
mo matter for that. If it had been the other
way it would have been treated just the same"
So Miles moved a compromised hardly know
what-and urged the official to express his re-
grets 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 Ia day or two an aid
came down one morning with an order from
General Sherman for publication. Miles glanced
over it and handed it back.
'It can't 60 in. sir, said he.
why mott" asked the asronished messenger,
who was a stranger.
Because it has Sherman's name to it," was
the reply.
THAT'S the reason why it must 60 it, urged
the aid
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 returned
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 conciliatory
note, and there was no more trouble.