The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-09-20
MIR. Halstead's Story OF Gen. Sherman'i
Insanity.

There has recently been discovered and
published a letter written in the last month
OF 1851 by Gen. HALI.EcK to Gen. McCLEI.-
Ian concerning the mental condition OF
Gen. WILLIAM TECUMsEH SHERMAN, whom
HALLECK had Just removed from command
In Missouri and sent home to Ohio. Il am
satisfied" said HALLEcK. THAT Gen. SHEER
MANS physical and mental system is 80
completely broken by labor and care rs to
render him for the present entirely unht for
duty. am satisfied that In his present
condition It would be dangerous to give him
command here"
This incident occurred a few weeks after
the Louisville episode in Gen. SHERMAE's
career; and while tho General was in Ohio,
the Cincinnati Commercial edited by Field
Marshal MURAr HALsTEAD, published the
assertion that SHERMAN had gonc insane
He was known as CRAZY SHERMAN Tor
some time utter that
In one OF his characteristic calculations OF
the exact truth" OF secret history. Field
Marshal MURAT HALsrEAD explains IN tho
Brooklyn Standard Union how he came to
cenounce Gen. SHERMAN as II lunatic In Dc
cember, 1861. Tho Fold Marshal defends
himself against tho churge OF levity, rock
lessncss or indifference to human intirmity.
by alleging that he published Gen. SHEER
MAN as a maniac with great reluctance.
md only when implored to do so by
a messenger sent to him by The most IN
fluential men In Louisville. 1t was
stated" he explains. in tho most impress
sive terms. as fact Of tho gravest and
most painful and alarming nature. that the
insanity OF Gen. SHERMAN was unquestion-
able, and the editor was implorel to cay SO.
that the army might be no longer In peril
from the freaks OF q lunatic."
Far from seizing upon the ridiculous story
with eagerness, as q sensational piece OF
news for the Commercial, the Field Marshal
undertook the unpleasant duty solely from
motives OF the Hottest patriotism. Indeed.
"he was warned that he had to perform
duty that was not unattended with danger
Gen. SHERMAN might have the Field Mar
shall seized and shot; crazy man would be
capable of that II no had the chance Be-
sides, Gen. SHERMAN WAS the brother OF
Senator JOHN SHERMAN. ian old friend
OF the Field Marshal's. The natural dictates
OF personal friendship forbade the publica-
ton, set the Field Marshal wrote and
printed his celebrated editorial article pro-
nouncing SHERMAN insane. mot as SON
sation or In terms that were frivolous or
exaggerated, but as the SOLEMN statement
Of public calamity. Never WAS an editor
more surprised" adds tho Field Marshal,
Ethan the writer when Con. EWING called.
and in half dozen sentences declared the
TRUTH that Is. that SHERMAN was as Sane
as the Field Marshal himself.
But. like most OF Mr. HALsTEAD's expln-
nations, this is superhuous. Nobody re-
CARDS any o! hi, masterpieces Of thought or
action rs inspired By motives less noble than
a pltriotic and profound sens. Of his re-
sponsiUity to tho American public. Nor
does anybody supposs that WHOM he had
once made up his minl to perform an un-
pleasant but patriotic duty. no could be
dc c! I'd by considerations OF personal
friendship. More thtn quarter OF q CEN
fury after the Field Marshal published Gen.
SHERMAN as crazy in spite OF his old friend
ship for JOHN SHERMAN. the same Spartan
Indifference to all but this demanda OF duty
led him to publish JOHN SHERMAN. his Old
friend. as 1. scoundre.. In both cases tho
Field Marshal was sure he was right, and
he went ahead.