Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1888-10-13

years on the Military Committee In
Congress, and without being proph-
ct, knew we'll that the Southern peo-
pie were unprepared for the terrible
war then impending. believed Sc
cession to be an unwise remedy for
existing evils, that the war, if it
came, should be civil war, fought
under the old flag within the union,
and that these States shonld remain
united, no matter which side tri-
umphed. These opinions were not
concealed, and were unpopular with
secession politicians and high officials.
Governor Harris thought differently.
He then knew little of war, histori-
cally or otherwise. I was slow to
enter the service. My military read
ing and experience taught me to fear
the results of the conflict. l knew
the South was right, but believed she
did not have the might. History
had taught me that in war might
always triumphs over right.
The Sixteenth Regiment was rails
ed by Others. l was elected It's Colo
mel without opposition. 1t did good
service under Gen. Lee in West Vir-
ginia and South Carolina. No regi-
ment surpassed it in the bloody bat
ties of Perryville and Murfreesboro,
in each of which it lost half the men
present for duty. In each of these
actions my conduct was highly COM
plimented by commanding generals.
had my horse shot under me and
was severely wounded at Perryville.
My young and only brother fell by
my side at Murfreesboro.
A gentleman without command
was promoted over me. This was
considered a wrong and insult to me
by officers and soldiers alike. AT
whose instance, and by what means
this was accomplished, was not then
known with certainty by the soldiers.
present copy of letter to me
from Gen. B. F. Cheatham, which
shows that was indebted to Senator
Harris for this "unkind cut" at my
military reputation, which caused
my resignation.
The gentleman appointed was kind
enough to take the Senator's son on
his staff, which saved him from the
toll and dangers of common soldier.
AT this time l care not whether the
Senator acted in the matter from i'll
will, or desire to provide place for
a clever personal friend, and his own
son, or to promote the general well
fare. If prompted by the two first
motives, | pity and forgive him; if
the last, he was justifiable.
l am sure this act saved my life.
My continuance in service would not
have changed the result of the war.
If / had remained, in some disastrous
hour | should have gone down to
sleep with the many thousands whose
lives were sacrificed in subsequent
battles.
Senator Harris and myself differ
upon many Federal questions. l ia
vor the speedy payment of the public
debt. He wishes the bonds to live
long. l am for a reduction and re-
formation of Internal Revenue taxa
ton. He favors the maintenance of
the present system.
Gen. Cheatham's letter is as fol-
lows:
BEECH GROVE, Oct. ., 1882.
Col. JOHN III. SAvAGE:-In an
swer to your letter Of the 25th ult., l
have to inform you that when the
154th Regiment Tennessee VOlun-
teers was recognized at Corinth,
Miss, in May 1862, Marcus j.
Wright, then Lieut.. Colonel, was
left out in its reorganization. Soon
thereafter he applied to me to sign a
general recommendation for his pro-
motion, which did. He was made
a Brigadier General by President
Davis at Murfreesboro just before the
fight at that place, and during his
visit there.
1t was understood at the time that
Gov. Harris pressed his appointment
although there was no vacancy.
When vacancy did occur by rea
son of the promotion of Gen. Donel
son. l warmly recommended YOU
appointment, and my recommends