Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-02-19

wnIcn ne could do the best service he
was offered chief clersship in the War
| de- artmeEt with promise of advance
ment to the post of assistant secretary
! This was not to his taste, and his duty to
his family prevented him enlisting under
! the call fer ninety day men, he having
| small confidence III the theory of Seward
| that the war would be ended in thai time,
His Southern residence and his acquaint-
| ance with the men of that section gave
| him better knowledge of the proba bill
| ties than WIS Possessed by those in COM
| mf at Washington. But VIXEN Lincoln
| called for three years troops in SCI he
was anxious to eater the field, and will
/ ingty accepted the command of the Thir-
| teenth, a new regiment of regulars
He was soon called TO Washington, and
| here he began to realize the advantage of
| his early experience in Florida and other
parts of the South. His career from this
time on IS a part of the war history. re-
| membered by those who lived at the time
| and tamil ar to every school boy who has
! learned of the war through the books.
During his entire career he was a soldier
with no thought of self except as he might
serve his country. His relations with Cen
| Grant were always of the most cordial
formed an ats ciment which was only
severed by death.
Sherman had the misfortune to meet
Simon Cameron when the latter was Secre-
tary Of war, ard haring made to him the
prophetic remark that he would want
| go COZ mon now and 200 0)O before we
are DONE ard this remark teing repeated
to war ORE spondent it was Immediately
| t9poral he'd all ov tha c0.1ptrv- hot
| Sherman was cray.
Whom Grant began his campaign against
Forts Henry aud Don elson, Sherman and
! Grant were bIisadiers Sherman outrank-
ing Grant by virtue of his regular army
rank OF Colonel. Eut Sgerman made no
demand for a command, though frequently
| urged by Grant, who offered to como and
| serve under him at any time. Soon after
Grant was made Ma ior-General on account
OF his victory at DOnelsOn, and Sherman
joined him with fresh troops. Step by
step tie two advanced till Grant became
President.
| Of Sherman's march to the sea the
! world is familiar In it he showed the
Qua tiles OF mind which had cha acterizeo
his whole career. Quick of percer ton, he
followed his own CO nses and gsve the
finishing coup to the Confederacy by cut
! ling MS way tDro Ign the enemy s country,
subsisting his army as he advanced upon
the country through which he passed.
This was not the result OF council of war.
but was planned and executed with dash
and briliiancy which has given its author
his high rank as a soldier.
The latter years Of his life were passed
in comfortable retirement, but with a
failing attachment for his Oh asso.
citations with the army and the survivors
OF the war. At every reunion OF the vet
Grams the appearance o. their CD COM
mandyr was greeted with enthusiasm by
the men VITO hal serred With rim in bis
va,ioGs campaigns. This was t.,e largely
to the fa t hat he never acte" - the
martinez when in command, h-r.ihse con-
ceiYed such a dislike to the role uT.As lis
life at West Point
At his head quarters all were welcome
who desired to seq the General. and the
single sentry who kept guard rs instruct
ed to stop no enc seeking an audience.
He fingered long alter the death of OIL
GERS of fewer years -and in his passing
away signal es TIE c'ose of the war era
and FORUM ately for the country, of the
bitterness\ caused by it.