The Forrest City times., 1889-11-23
SHERMAN'S SHARP PEN.
Interesting Records of His Vigorous
 Letters at Vicksburg.
The Volume of Rebellion Rscords," on tho vieksburg Campaign Contain Mighty tntsrssting Reading-Hs Wants tho Regi- mants rilled


 vieksburg Campaign Contain Mighty Interesting Reading Wants tho Rsgi- msnts Filled
 The latest volume of the "Rebellion Records" relates to tho campaign against Vicksburg. It is hardly necessary to say that the epistolary feats of Gen. Sherman arc frequent and picturesque features Of the volume.
 Gen. Graht wrote to Gen. Sherman directing him to make a demonstration against Haynes Bluff to divert Con- federate attention from his (Grant's) movement around Vicksburg. In this letter Grant expressed fear that the result of the feint would be interpret cd in the north as repulse. Sherman replied
 I've will make as strong . demon stration as possible. The troops will all understand the purpose, and will not be hurt by the repulse. The people of the country must find out the truth as they best can; it is none of their business. You are engaged in hazardous enterprise, and, for good reasons, wish to divert attention; that is sufficient to me, and it shall be done"
 At another time he urged Grant to use his influence at Washington to have the old regiments filled up, in- stead of forming new ones.
 Fl am assured by many that tho president does actually desire to sup port and sustain the army, and then he desires 10 know the wishes and opinions of the officers who serve in the woods instead of in the salon. so, you would bc listen ed to.
 1t will take at least 600 good re- cruits per regiment to fill up tho pres- ent army to the proper standard. Talk ing 900 as the number of regimentsi actual existence, this would require 600, 900 recruits. It may be the indus trial interests Of the country will not authorize such call. But how much greater the economy to make an army and fight out this war at once,
 'lt would be an outrage to consoli- date these old, tried and veteran reyi- ments and bring in the new and com paratively worthless bodies But fill up our present ranks, and there is not an officer or man of this army but would feel renewed hope and courage to meet the struggles before us l TO- gard this matter as more important than any other that could possibly ur- rost the attention of President Lincoln, and it s for this reason that ask you to urge 1t upon him at this suspicious time. If adopted, it would ba more important thaa the conquest of Nieks- burg and Richmond together. as 1t woal q 70 victory of common sense over the popular fallacles that have ruled and almost ruined our country"
 When Viclzsburg surrendered Shar- man let himself out to Grant in the following strain; T can hardly con- tain myself. Surely will l not punish any soldier for being Wnco' happy this most glorious anniversary of tho birth of u nation whose sire and father was a Washington. D.t no. know tho honesty, modesty and purity ot your nature l would ba tempted 10 follow the examples of my standard enemies of the press in indulgiug in wanton fiattery, but as q man and soldier. and ardent friend of yours, warn you against tho incense of na,tery that will fill our land from one extreme to the other. Be natural aud yourself. aud this glittcring fattery will be as the passing breezs of the sea on u cacy with which you have treated brave but deluded enemy is moro el- oquent than the most gorgeous orato- ry of an Everett
 On tho ith of August. week later. Gen. Sherman, in forwarding the re- port of tho court martial Of squad of the 35th Iowa for burning cotton gin. wrote;
 'sIbe amount of burning. stealing and plundering done by our army makes mo ashamed of it. 1 would quit the service if could. because I fear that we are drifting to tho worst sort of vandalism. have endeavored to reprcss this class of crime. but you know how difficult 1t is to fix the guilt among the great mass of an army. In this case caught tho man in tho act. He is acquitted because his superior officer ordered It. The superior officer is acquitted because, suppose, he had not set tho fire with his own hands, and thus you and and every commander must go through tho war justly chargeable with crimes Ut which we blush"