Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1889-12-18
General Sherman and the Captain.

war Is tnat relatlng 70 PRESIDENT Lin
coin, General Sherman and the
captain of a New York volunteer reg
iment. The incident happened few
days after the first Bull Run battle,
and is related by the general himself
in his Personal Memoirs. It will be
new to very many Of the veteran read
ers Of these "War Memories" and is
story that every veteran should hear
or read. Not having the volume at
hand, must depend upon my memo
ry for the facts, but I shall be certain
not to get far astray.
At the first Bull Run Sherman COM
manded brigade. When the demor-
allied Union forces had reached the
Potomac, he was endeavoring to get
his brigade into shape, and was about
to occupy fort with it, not far from
the Virginia end of the Long Bridge.
AS he stood looking at his men march
ing by, captain called out familiarly
from the ranks:
81 say, Colonel Sherman, have you
any errands that you want me to do
in New York; 1 will he there to-mor-
row."
"How's that?" quickly responded
Sherman. II don't remember to have
approved any application for leave
of absence for you"
"Oh, no; I'm going to take my own
leave. This thing is about played
out; the war is over, and I'm going
home."
The words were spoken with a mix
ture of insolence and defiance that
called for prompt rebuke, especially
as the soldiers were eagerly listening.
Captain" said Colonel Sherman,
quietly, but with determination, eff
you leave your regiment without my
permission l will have you shot,"
The threat made the captain very
angry, and he marched on, muttering;
but the men seemed to enjoy the stu
alton vastly.
On the next day message came
from President Lincoln requesting
Colonel Sherman to form his brigade
in square, as he was coming to talk
to them. Sherman did so, and going
down toward the bridge met the Pres
ident with an aid in carriage. Sher-
man was invited to seat by his side,
and on the way up the hill. Mr.. Lin
coin asked him what he thought of his
design of coming to talk to the SOL
diers and inspiring them little.
"a good idea, Mr.. President" said
Sherman "only let us have no cheer
ing. 1t is not military, and we want
discipline Just now, as much as any
thing"
"I'll bear that in mind" was the
reply.
The carriage was driven within the
square. The President stood up, un-
covered, being of course recognized
by every person present, and began
to make his little speech. 1t was such
a kind. reassuring and streDgthening g
talk as no man could give so we'll as
Abraham Lincoln. 1t went straight
to the hearts of the soldiers. He told
them that there must be no despond-
ency on account of the late defeat
that victories we're before them if they
stood up like men to their duty; that
the Government would do its part,
and that he would see to it himself
that the soldiers were well taken care
Of AS he proceeded, and the spirit
of the man began to animate his hear
ers, ripples of enthusiasm ran through
the ranks, and voice proposed "three
cheers for the President"
"No, no !" said Mr.. Lincoln, with a
deprecatory motion of the hand. IL
like the hurrahs we'll enough myself,
was used to them at the west but
Colonel Sherman, here, doesn't like
them; they're not military, you know,
and we're all under his orders to-day.
But | want to say this to you, before
l 60 these are no idle words I have
been saying to you. mean every one
of them, and if you have any real
grievances tell me of them now. III
hear any of you"
There was just a moments silence
no soldier there had cause of dissatis-
faction large enough to be presented
personally to the kind and good Pres
ident. Then. the captain of the pre-
vious days encounter with Sherman,
walked up to the carriage, red and sg-
itated, and made his complaint.
"Mr. President Colonel Sherman
yesterday threatened to have me
shot,"
"Ah| said Mr.. Lincoln. "How
was that ?"
IL told him that | would do any
errand for him in New York that he
wanted done. He said he believed l |
had no leave of absence / told him
no, but l was going to New York
Then he told me that if left here