Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-02-28
SHERMAN WAS WRATHY.
The Generals Reply to One of James Coz
don BENEFITS Correspondents.


don BENEFITS Correspondents.
On the 9TH day of December, 1862,
Grant, who was at Oxford, Mississippi,
summoned Sherman, who was at Col
lege Hill, to his headquarters to talk
over the plans of the proposed cam
paign against Vicksburg. 1t was de-
cided that Sherman, with a force of
about 1000 men should proceed from
Memphis down the river and endeavor,
if possible, to make Judgement on the
high ground at some point above the
mouth of the Yazoo river. On the 18th
of December Sherman's command en-
barked for the lower Mississippi
His landing at Chickasaw Bayou, his
unsuccessful assault, are matters of
history. Sherman was severely criti-
cized at the time for making the as
sault, the Northern press being very
bitter, and to this day the world has
never fully understood all the reasons
which impelled Sherman to make what
seemed a hopeless attack. At the in
terview between Grant and Sherman at
Oxford it was understood that Sherman
should make just the landing he did
make, and endeavor to open a new base
of supplies on the Yazoo river for Grants
army, as well as his own command.
Grant was to establish a temporary
base at Holly Springs and move his
army in the direction of Vicksburg be-
tween the Yazoo and Big Black and to
cooperate with Sherman in such man.
ner as the movements of the enemy
should make Necessary. General Sher-
man had reasons to expect that Grants
army would be within hearing distance
of his artillery, and in this manner
would announce to Grant the arrival of
his force at the point designated on the
Yazoo. Besides. General Sherman nor
his superior officers nor the country
would have been satisfied, had not the
enemy's position and strength been
thoroughly tested by the attack which
was made. Sherman, of course, was
not aware that the day following his
departure from Memphis the rebel Gen
son at Holly Springs, captured the
place and destroyed a million dollars
worth of stores Grant had not then
learned that an army could be subsisted
frem the enemy's country, and finding
himself unexpectedly without ordi-
nance, quartermaster or commissary
stores. he fell back with his army to |
Memphis.
Sherman was always adverse to news
paper correspondents, but representa-
tive of the New York Herald accom-
panied his expedition down the river
and in his account of the battle of
Bayou-written to his paper
he assailed General Sherman furious
ly. For this act Sherman ordered his
arrest, convened a court-martial, which
sentenced him to be sent beyond the
military lines, not to return. The Her
aid at that time welded great influence
in molding public opinion, and Presi-
lent Lincoln was anxious that his adj
should receive the indorse-
nent of and support of such journals:
n fact the successful conduct of the
war depended on public opinion, which
vas largely influenced by the press.
The elder Bennett well knew this, so he
repaired to Washington. armed with
he influence of his great journal, to
ntercede with the President to
allow this correspondent to return to
he army commanded by General Sher-
nan. President Lincoln wrote an au-
'ograph letter to Mr.. Stanton, the Sec
'etary OF War, saying in substance that
I not inconsistent with the interests of
he public service he should be glad if
his correspondent were allowed to re-
urn to General Sherman's command. {
The great War Secretary indorsed the {
residents letter as follows: Respect
ully referred to Maior-General q. S.
irant for his information and action"
With this document the correspond !
mt set out for General Grants head
quarters, which were at Milliken's ,
Bend. La General Grants indorse- !
nent was similar to that OF the Secre- {
airy Of War. He referred it to General !
Sherman for his information and &C I
Ion. .
General Sherman at this time ooou- {