The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-28
SHERMAN AT ATLANTA.
How He Impressed the Georgians-A South
erner's Estimate of His Character.

HOW he Impressed the GeorgianS--A S0uth-
erner's Estimate of His Character.
Atlanta Constitution.
General Sherman recent controversies with
General Fry, editor Dana and others have Left
the impression that he is petulant irritable old
man, with a very treacherous memory. Tho
younger generation now coming on the stage see
the great soldier under the most unfavorabl0
circumstances. Sherman was never noted for
amiabity. but in his prime he was very differ
emit from the common scod who is now black
guarding his old comrades for publishing tho
facts of history Some of the old residents OF
Atlanta who were brought in contact with him
shortly after the siege found that they had
very virile parsonage to deal with. When
Sherman entered Atlanta in the early part OF
of September, 1864, and established his head
quarters in the building now used as q high
school, on the corner of Washington and Mitchell
streets, there was general desire on the part Of
the citizens to catch a glimpse of the famous
general. The successful commander was al
that time young man, counting his age by
years. He was just forty-four. But he looked
fully fifty.
On fine afternoons he would sit out in front OF
his headquarters, pensiyey smoking cigar.
with his SLOUGH hat drawn down over his eyes.
leaving only the lower part of his strange, rough
face exposed to view. Over his head was
stretched big United States flag, and on the
sidewalk lonesome sentinel kept off inquisi-
tive .idlers. Citizens passed to and fro, some
times talking loudly but the General never
looked at them. Occasionally, when his hat was
tilted back for a moment, the spectators saw
that he had scowling, wrinkled brow, but his
steel gray eyes appeared to be fixed on the tip
end OF his cigar 1t was not an inviting picture.
and it generally reminded lookers-on that they
were in the midst of war times. The first time
the citizens really understood Sherman's char
acter was when he wrote to General Hood, justi-
children, by saying: "War is the science of bar
barism." The Internal suggestiveness of those
brutal words paralyZed the weak, and drove
strong men wild. In all the literature Of anciens
and modern warfare there is not
more sulphurous sentence to be found
So the six or seven thousand non-com-
batants who were submerged here by the
blue tidal wave felt about as hopeful as SO many
drowning rats. In the presence of so powerful
and apparently inhuman foe confederate and
Union sympathizers buried their differences.
They felt that they shared common danger
and were threatened by the same fate. It was
we'll known that Sherman considered the cii-
zens in his way. From the first he was deter
mined to get rid of them II he had to drive
them out to seek shelter in tho woods. Some
times prominent Union men called on the
General to ask favor. These interviews wera
invariably of the briefest To the amazement
of ALL the blunt soldier knew the status of every
visitor.
"You claim to be Union man" he said to one.
''You took confederate contracts and devoted all
your resources and all your skill to aiding the
enemies of your country. A pretty Union man
you are! Let me hear no more from you, sir
Ali this was well calculated ito throw coolnesa
over the meeting" as the colored preacher said.
The iron will of the commander dominated tina
mighty host under him. Good order was the
rule. Outrages, except those which were thu
natural result of military operations. were COM
paratively few 1t was observed that the feder-
al soldiers called their chief by no pet name&
They feared him too much to take any lib
critics with him. The General during
l. 10
in the most serious mood of his life Would the
confederates cut him off from his base Of sup
plies2 Could he succeed In making his way to
the sea? These two questions occupied his mind.
tor two months and half Sherman sulking in
front of his headquarters soon ceased to be
novel sight One Sunday, however. when he
started out to review the main body of his army
everybody walked up But there was nothing TO
be seen. Far ahead of his glittering staff rode
'Old Tecumseh." His horse was sorry animal
and the rider appeared to have been dumped
into the saddle with a pitchfork. No leu
tenant in the army wore a rustier, shabber
uniform than this conquering hero wore to tina
grand parade that bright Sunday morning. H
will readily BIO understood that long before Sher-
man burned Atlanta and started on his march.
his purpose was surmised by many civilians. Ii
was in the air. Common soldiers whispered that
the city was to be destroyed and that one stonc
would not be left upon another. The burning OF
the city was reported in Chicago ten days before
it occurred. The event was expected in many
quarters. Some allowance must be made for
the intense mental strain to which Sher-
man was subjected In the closing
months Of the war; His whole nature
was warped and misdirected. He was q very
different man after he had enjoyed year or two
of rest. How many good people there are in
the world.o he remarked to Alexander III. Ste
phens, in Washington ut makes life unspeak-
ably pleasant to think that wherever we go We
find good people ready to forgive, ready to assist
even their enemies. After all human nature is
not very pad thing" The veteran has played
his part. His record is made up. just what
place will be assigned to him in history it is too
early to determine. This much is certain, he
will go down to posterity as great soldier. and
as man with strong mixture of good and evil
in his character
Thouchtfuluess of Fashion Makers.