New-York tribune., 1886-01-30

Grant wouId have dsappeared from history IL i'm
possibility; adding, d" am confident in good time we
shall learn what authority hearsay THIS puphoa
ton ia based" The issue between General Sherman ana
me is whether or not quoted him correctly. In your
February number-for early copy OF which thahk
you-Generai Sherman says. coupled with much per
sonal abnso OF me- that "invented the quotation tor
the purpose OF questioning it,, aud that l. wheh COT
nered viii dodge the issue"
In view OF the foregoing facts need mako no apoogy
TO the pnbc for feeling called upon TO establish the
validity OF the quotation made General Sherman h
seffsmy authority The remark that had c. f. Smith
lived Grant would have disappeared 10 history after
Donelson written with the Generas mana over HIS
signature word for word as gave It, That there may
be no ground for misunderstanding concerning the
language used, and the connection Ill which IL was
poyed append verbatim paragraph from letter In
General sherman writing dated September To- 1850
As intimated in General Sherman's letter TO Mr'
Morrison there is a markell difference between specu'
latng what might have been had Geneta "rah' kon'
to the rear aud c. f. Smith fought the batte OF 0ho
what might have been had Washington aceepteu h'
warrant in the English navy 4" and the positive OK
preston that, had c. L. Smith lived Gentra ur""t
would have disappeared from history" lE not my
province to explain the relation between the TWO.
Either however, would the purpose with winch
quoted General Sherman, namely, to Illustrate te gen
era proposition that chance is an important tactor III
the race OF glory" by citing the implied opinion Oh 'o"
era Grants especial FRIEND that 1t was true at Pai
ular stage Of Grants career.
Perhaps ought to add that tho letter from whch
quoted was shown to me on account OF its supposed
historical value and with reference to the expression
quoted Observing the fitness OF that expression 10 Tue
subject on which engaged, and having the consent
OF tho person to whom the letter addressed TO MAKE
the caon did not hesitate to do The correspond
cnce OF which the letter is part was between TWO
onicals-Coonel K. n. Scott and General sherman
upon popular subject that implied no secrecy what
ever; and the reputation Of my quotation was ho
donbt a surprise To Colonel scott as IL was to me-
Please publish this note In the next number OF me
North american Reri,tr; and account OF the charac-
ter and authority of the denIl use the smile pe
herewith for printing the extract from General ohcr-
r,ar.s Litter Yours truly JAMES b. Fry
EXTRACT
9I2 GARRISON AVE. }
ST. LDUis, Mo-, .ept. u, 1850 )
CoL T. y. SCOTT, Var Records, Washington, d. O.
DEAR SCOTT:
Now "a to Haieck-Gran--I had the highest possible
opluou OF HaIcck's knowledge oud power, ana lever
blamed hlm for isrusting Grants abllty-hndt' u e.
smith Ii,eI G.rnnt would have di~nppe"red 10
history afcr Doncison. smith waS strOhg nervous
vi4orous when reported to him ID person al Or'
Hcnry.
". +. SHERMAN.
I'm ropos fur ishcd to the press this letter Is acro
paued bv fac snile Of the original eitr. showing an
the pccuiiarties General Shermans welkn0wn hahu
wriiingl