Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-03
The Generals Objection to Coming to wash

This gentleman had noted in shorthand in q
small leather-bound diary, which was his con-
communications to the President from the dis
tinguishod men of the day. He stated tlnt 1t
was with some degree Of reluctance that he
translated the letters for publication, but ut
the same time il was in accordance with what
he had told General Sherman upon his last visit
| to Washington that some day he intended to
give to the public of the best letters that he
had ever read written by him, the general.
The entry made by the private secretary In
his diary under the date of February 3, 1868,
was follows:
1.-The President had for some days In con-
temptation the creation Of new department
headquarters at Washington and to place Sher-
man in command his headquarters to be In the
War Department. and then when Sherman was
firmly established to remove stanton from and
place Sherman there Secretary ad interim.
Shermans own views are best illustratedkl the
following letter:
G. 'Confidential.)
"Librafg. Room, War Department
.'WashfhsteR.Q e., Jan. 81, 1863.
"To the President: Nv.
So Since our interview of yesterday l have
given the subject of our conversation AL my
thoughts and beg you will pardon me reducing
the result to writing.
my personal preferences, as expressed, were
to be allowed to return to St. LOUIS. to resume
my present command, because my command
was important, large and suited to my rank and
Inclination and because my family WAS well
provided for there in house. facilities of schools
living and agreeable society, while on the other
hand Washington was for many Ito me) good
| reasons highly Objectionable. especially be-
cause 1t Is the political capital Of the country
and the focus OF intrigue, gossip and SANDER.
Your personal preferences were, eX-
pressed, to make q new department least ade-
quate to my rank, with headquarters at Wash
ington, and to assign me to its command; to re-
move my family here. and to avail myself of it's
schools; to remove Mr. Stanton from his Office
as Secretary Of War and have me discharge the
duties.
Ito effect this removal two modes were in
| dicated; to simply cause him to quit the war
office building and notify the Treasury Depart
ment and the army staff department no longer
to respect him as Secretary Of War; or to re-
move HIM and submit my name to the Senate
for confirmation.
CONFLICT OF AUTHORITY.
"'Permit me to discuss these points little,
| and l will premise by saying that have spoken
to no one on the subject, and have not even
s, en- Mr.. Ewing Mr.. Stanbery or Gen. Grant
since was with you.
SIT has been the rule and custom of our
army. since the organization of the govern
ment. that the second officer of the army should
be at the second important command. and re-
mote from general headquarters To bring me
to Washington would put three heads to our
armys-yourself, Gen. Grant and myself-and
we would be more than human if we were not
to differ. In my Judgment it would ruin the
army. and would be fatal TO one or two Of us.
Gems. Scott and Taylor proved themselves
soldiers and patriots i'll the field. but Washing
ton was fatal to them both.
=" This state of things that conferred here de-
feated every army that had its head here from
1861 to 1865 and would have overwhelmed Gen.
Grant at Spottsylyauia and Petersburg had he
not been fortified by strong reputation, al
ready hard earned, and because no one then
living coveted the place. Whereas in the west
we made progress from the start. because there
was no political capital nor enough to poison
our mind and kindle into life that craving. itch
ing for fame which has killed more good men
than bullets.
az have been with Gen. Grant in the midst of
death and slaughter. when the huwls of people
reached him after Shiloh; when messengers
were speeding to and from his army to WASH
ington bearing ISLANDERS to induce his removal
before he took Nicksburg; III Chattanooga, when
the soldiers were stealing the corn of the starry
ing mules to satisfy their own hunger: at Nash
vile, when lie was ordered tOthe ''forlorn hope"
to command the Army of the Potomac, so often
defeated; and yet never saw him mora troubl I'D
than since he has been in Washington and been
compelled to read himself ''sneak" and ode
ceiver. based on reports Of four of the cabinet,
and apparently with your knowledge. II this
political atmosphere can disturb the equanimity
of one guarded and SO prudent as he is, what
will be the result with one 80 careless and SO
outspoken as l am? Il
Therefore, with my consent, Washington
never!
"'As to the Secretary of War, his Office is
twO-fOld. As cabinet officer he should not be
there without your hearty. cheerful assent and
l believe that is the judgment and opinion of
every fair-minded man. AS the holder of a
civil Office. having the supervision of moneys
appropriated by Congress and of contracts for
army supplies, do think Congress, or the Sem
ate by delegation from Congress, has the law
full right to be consulted.
"a. all events would not risk q suit or con-
test on that phase OF the question. The law of
Congress Of March 2, 1867, prescribing the man
ner in which orders and instructions relating to
military movements shall reach the army,
gives you, as constitutional commander-in-
chief the very power you want to exercise,
and enables You to prevent the
Secretary from making such orders
and instructions. and consequently he cam
not control the army. but is limited and re-
stricted to duty that an auditor of the treas
ury could perform. You certainly can afford
to await the result. The executive power is
not weakened, but rather strengthened; as
suredly he is not such an obstruction as would
warrant violence or even show Of form, which
would produce the very reaction and clamor
that he hopes for to save him from the alb
surdity of holding an empty Office '.for the
safety Of the country"
: ." This is as much as ought to saw and
more, too;but if it produces the result will
De more tfan satlsned-v1Z., that be simply
allowed to resume my proper post and duties
in st. Louis.
"'With great respect, yours truly,
(Signed) "W. L. SHESMAS.
Lieutenant General'~
The Herald prints another letter from Gen
Sherman TO the President, dated February14,
1868, protesting against his assignment to the
Atlantic division, and his nomination as sbrevet
general. u ''In Washington" he wrote fs'are
already the headquarters of department. and
Of the army itself, and it is hard for md to see
wherein l can render military SERVED there
Any staff officer, with rank of major, could as
suredly fill any gap left between these Two mill
tary officers: and by being placed in Washing
ton, will be universally CONSTRUCTORS i rival 70
the general-in-chief, apostion damaging to me
in the highest degree. Our relations have
always been most confidential and frieadly and
it, unhapply. any cloud Of difficulky should
arise between us, my sense of personal dignity
and duty would leave me no alternative but
resignation. For this lam not yet prepared,
but shall proceed to arrange for II rs rapidly
as possible, that when the time does come as
il surely viii il this plan is carried into efecD
may act promptly"
The order referred to was subsequently, re-
voked, and Gen. sherman telegraphed his
thanks to the President. sd -. n
He Cut His Throat tn Avoid Captur>