The National tribune., 1889-07-04


succeeded so well, however in reducing affairs
to order and maintaining them so, that he re-
ceived unstinted commentator from his 5npe-
riors, and was given the command of the Sec
ond Cavalry Division, Army of the Tennessee,
formerly commanded by Maj.-Gen. Washburn.
This took him too far to the rear, however, and
he applied for more active service in connection
with the Vicksburg campaign, which was given
him In an assignment to command the cavalry
of Grants army, upon the duties Of which office
he entered May 81, and from that time on until
the stronghold surrendered had his hands full
guarding the rear of the besieging army, and
watching Joe JOhnstOn's hostile demonstTa-
tions from Jackson. As soon as Vieksburg sur
rendered, Gen. Sherman started out to settle
accounts with Johnston, with Col. Bussey. COM
handing the cavalry, in advance. He encoun-
tered Jackson, commanding the rebel cavalry,
and after sharp little fight, routed him. He
took an active part in all the operations around
the city of Jackson, by which Johnston was
finally driven away, and led the pursuit as far
as Gen. Sherman thought best to go. With but
brief rest to supply and partially reft his
men, he was of again on another expedition
to Canton, Miss, where he found his old oppo-
nent Jackson, with about 1000 rebel cavalry.
A stubborn fight followed, which resulted in
the defeat of Jackson and his being driven
across Pearl River. On this expedition Col.
Bussey destroyed 13 important factories, 40
hhSS VI anu y ~ VI 4OA4lhb-
stock.
Jan. 5, 1864, his well-carned and long-de-
layed promotion to Brigadier- General came,
and the commission stated that il was " for
special gallantry." He had been nominated
at the head of a long list of Brigadier- Generals
sent to the Senate in December, 1862 to rank
from Nov 20 of that year. The Senate
adjourned without acting upon any Of these
nominations. He was given command of
the District of Western Arkansas and the In
dian Territory, and Of the Third Division of
the Seventh Corps There was a special reason
for this assignment, growing out Of bis superb
administration of the Eastern Distriei It Ar
kansas. Remote from strong central 5, sTvis-
ion and control, the administration of affairs
had become greatly demoralized. Dishonest
contractors cheated the Government and de-
fed its officers and the riff raft that the tide
of war had fioated around Fort Smith, the
headquarters, were laWless and uncomfortable.
firm hand was needed to repress anarchy and
enforce justice, and this was supplied by Gen.
Bussey. An editorial in the Fort Smith Men
Era said:
Gen. Bussey, together with his uniring efforts to
deal justice with an even hand TO all. have con-
tribGted greatly to restore conideace among The
loyal people and infuse new hope for bright fn-
ture among them.
Gov. Murphy, of Arkansas, wrote to the pa
per:
have great confidence IN your present COM
mander. Gen. Bussey. His Judgment energy and
firmness feel will be equal to the task imposed
though Il be great. Gen. Reynolds, the command
er of the Department, will fully sustain him in
every measure for the protection OF loyal StiEens
and the suppression of yiliainy.
He was retained at this post until the close
Of the war, for Fort Smith was too important
base to take any risks with during the great
operations in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas
in 1854. 3. March Ii, 1865, he was breyeted
Major General.
Upon his retirement from command the Fort
Smith NeD Era said:
Never before did a Commander Of this District
take his leave with more sincere feeling OF respect
and esteem on the part OF the people than Gen.
Bussey. We have some hope OF his early return
and of his casting his lot permanently with Us TO
help build up our noble State.
Similar complimentary notices appeared in
other leading papers.
At the close of the war he went to St. Louis
and engaged IN the commission business. He
was successful in this, but came to the conclu-
sion that New Orleans offered better 0ppOr-
tunitics and removed thther. He took high
rank among the business men Of that city. For
six years he was President of the New Orleans
Chamber of Commerce, aud was Chairman of
the Committee of that institution which OBJ
tanned from Congress the appropriation for
Capt. Eads's jetties at the mouth of the Missis-
sippi
OpOn the ducpLiOu "a int new AoHStAbutioA
of Louisiana Gen. Bussey was strongly urged
for the Governorship and for United States
Senator. Papers of all political parties united
in paying the highest tributes to his ability
and personal character. He was much more
interested in the building mp of the citys and
States commerce and industries, however, than
In a political career. He was constantly on
the lookout for whatever would advance the
material interests of that section He had a
wider view Of the horizon than the great mass
of those around him, aud continually pointed
out and urged upon his fellow-citizens oppor-
tunities that. IL improved. would be of the
highest benefit to New Orleanss commerce.
His effective work for the jettieS was only
part Of this. He was active and efficient in
promoting the project to extend the railroad
to Shreveport, had Col. Thos. Scott, the rail-
road king of the day, visit New Orleans for
this purpose. and gave him grand reception
at the Cotton Exchange, at which he made the
speech Of welcome and set forth the advan-
tages of New Orleans and the proposed road in
| a convincing way.
He urged Congress to adopt q comprehensive
system Of Improvement of the Western rivers.
and by speeches to his fellow merchants by
appeals To Congress aud by letters to the press,
stroye to bring about the adoption of policy
Of development of trade with Brazil He At
last secured the holding OF great convention
| in New 0rleaas 10 consider the project, but the
outbreak of the yellow fever scourge that year
| turned attention away from it. He threw
himself with all his energy into the work of
| relieving his stricken fellow citizens.
He became Chairman of an Executive Com
mittee which raised $4,000 by voluntary con-
tributions, with which they laid series of
| pipes along the leyee, by means OF which the
! streets could be systematically cleanSed by
| flushing. Since this has gone into operation
| there has been no yellow fever in New Orleans.
| The New Orleans Times said of him, edito-
rally:
There Is no more earnest and indefatigable
worker for the commercial interests and prosper
| ify of this city than Gen. Cyrus BuSsey. His la
bors In this respect have been underwriting. aud
his efforts recognized aud appreciated by those
who have the welfare of the city at heart.
| In 1880 the Bishops of the Methodist Church
appointed him a delegate to the Ecumenical
| Methodist Conference held in London in Sep
| tember 1881. While in Liverpool on his way
he was present, by invitation, at a great meet
| ing held To express sorrow over the death OF
| President Garfield. He was given the honor
| of proposing the resolution, which he did in g
/ speech of great eloquenee and pathoS.
In 1882 he was invited to deliver the address
| at the laying Of the cornerstone of the new
| Cotton Exchange at New Orleans. His address
| abOunded in excellent commercial doctrine and
/ telling facts aud figures.
| In 1881 he decided to remove to New York,
and has resided there ever since, actively
engaged in business but keeping up his old
time interest in politics. lie was q delegate e
the Republican Convention of 1868 which
| nominated Gen. Grant, and in 1884 was active
in the canvass for Mr.. Blaine.
In 1883 ne maid "A yisit tn his old homA in