The National tribune., 1891-02-19
SHERMAN AND roRrEH.

the whole country mourns to-day, were
much alike in character and talents. Had
Porter been educated rs a soldier he would
probably have had such career rs Sher-
mans; had Sherman been trained as a
sailor be would have been such a sea-fghter
as Porter was. Both were men Of the highest
character, with stainless official and private
regulations. Both were intense Americans,
loving their country and her institutions
better than anything else in the world /;
both were intolerant of anything that
savored of disloyalty, or even lukewarm-
ness; both burned with eageness to do
whatever was possible to overthrow the
enemies Of the Nation and establish its
authority upon adamantine foundations.
Whatever means were placed at their dis
posal were used with relentless energy for
the destruction of whoever stood in opposi-
ton TO the Old Flag. If Sherman had but a
single company, or-Porter only one weak
ship, each was sure to find some way in
which the company or the ship could be
used to damage the rebellion.
This was the secret of their marvellous
4 success. They were both terribly in earnest
all the time, and every opportunity that
presented itself or could be made was eagerly
improved. Sherman would march any
where TO find and fight the enemy. Porter
would take his gunboats up narrow and
tortuous bayoEs, where il seemed madness
10 take heavy war vessels, with dim hope Of
finding the enemy's vulnerable flank.
The famous Sunfower Bayou expedition
was an excellent illustration Of the deter
mined zeal of the two men, which made them
so harmonious in cooperation. The great de-
sire ofthearmy aud fleet before YicLsburg was
to find some way 10 reduce the rebel strong
hold at Haynes's Bluff, which efTectually
guarded the right flank of Yicksburg and
! prevented the army from getting fOOthold
upon the high ground behind the city. Sher-
man had lost 2,jO0 men in the previous De-
csmber in an assault upon this position.
In March daring attempt was made by a
portion OF the army and some Of Porter's
! gunboats TO get into the YazOo above the
bluff, by cutting the leyee about 200 miles
above Yieksburg and taking advantage
Of the food to run across the country
into the tributaries Of the Yazoo, so as
to come down above the Bluff. This was
foiled because Of delays, which gave the reb-
els information Of the intention and time 10
effectively thwart it. Next the determined
commanders thought OF plan TO work into
the faZoo by a very narrow and crooked
channel known as Sunhower Bayou. Porter
started at once with feet of five ironclads,
four mortar boats and two tugs, and Sher-
man followed with a division on transports.
But again the rebels were apprised of the
movement, and were actively at work to
/
caught in a trap by trees being cut down
across the bayou in front and rear, while
concealed rifcmen shot down his sailors.
He was preparing 10 blow up his vessels,
when Sherman, who had become alarmed
about him, made a night march TO his as
sistance, himself leading the way through
the maze Of canebrakes, with a candle in
each hand. The rebels were driven off and
the feet saved, bat the expedition had to be
abandoned A new plan had to be adopted,
which involved the desperate expedient Of
running the gunbOats and some Of the trans
ports past the seven miles Of batteries that
lined the river bank Again Porter was
eager for the desperate venture, and con-
Quoted il with entire success. Grants bril-
liant campaign in the rear of Vicksburg
was the result.
The character Of the war did not give
Porter the same opportunity Of filling the
public eye that Sherman had, because it was
principally struggle on land, with naval
operations incidental and subordinate. But
wherever there was a chance for the navy
Porter improved it TO the utmost, and he
will always rank among the greatest sailors
the world has produced, just az Sherman
viii always maintain his place among the
worlds great Generals. Had the war
been mainly by sea, Porter's fame would
probably have oyershadowed Sherman's, Just
as Sherman's now seems 10 oYershadow
Porter's, because the military side Of the
struggle preponderated.
Both were Of the highest types Of Ameri-
can manhood. They were genuinely Ameri-
can, with all the attributes and qualities Of
our people, and we can place no finer ideals
before our children than Sherman-the typi-
cal American soldier-and POrter-the typi-
cal American sailor-men Of the purest
character and Hottest impulses, who loved
peace and hated war, but when it became
necessary TO make war did so with a fiery
zeal that brought complete victory and last
ing peace.