Omaha daily bee., 1891-05-31
GRAND ARMY DIP PARTNENT,
Conspiracy Against Old "Tecump."

Conspiracy Against Old "Tecump."
Lord Wolseley the British military critic
and commander, has been writing series of
articles on tho late General William Tecum-
sch Sherman and his share in the civil war.
In the last installment appears the following
interesting account of the origin OF the Oft
repeated story which tended to question the
sanity of tho great leader:
Sherman was not destined to take part in
any OF McClellan's campaigns. About the
middle of August 1861 he was appointed to
be brigadier-genera Of volunteers in the de-
partment of the Cumberland. He rejoiced, as
he told Mr.. Lincoln that his was to be a
subordinate position His ''extreme desiren
was Sin no event to be left in u superior COM
mand" | have not read of any famous gen.
eral who was at first so dinident of his own
powers and capacity.
Early in October there occurred what he
most dreaded The general commanding,
worn by anxiety, resigned and he had to take
his place as senior officer, though, as he says,
-'much against tho grain, and in direct viola
tion of MIR Llncoln's promise to me-" He
renewed his request to be allowed to occupy
his position, and was assured that General
Buell. would be sent to relieve him of his re-
sponsibility.
AT this time General Sidney johnson, a
very able soldier, commanded tho confed-
crate army at Bowling Green, and General
Zollicoifer that at Somerset both in the
state of Kentucky. Why they did not Join
hands and take Louisville-a very simple OPP
Grafton il would have been-passes all COM
prehension,
This was the condition of things when Mr.
Cameron, the secretary of war, paid Sher-
man visit Much serious conversation took
place as to the condition of things in Ken
lucky, and sherman told him, in the pres
ence of several Others, and at least one news
paper correspondent, whom Mr.. Cameron in
sisted upon being present, that for the nero
protection OF his 300 miles OF front he re-
qulred at least 10000 men; that If the rebel
lion was to be put down II was necessary to
assume the offensive, and for this purpose an
army of 2O0OOO men would DO required,
Sherman's views were absolutely right, but
this honest statement OF them was not politi-
cally convenient. II did not then suit MIR,
Cameron's party 10 acknowledge that any
such enormous efforts would be required be-
fore the seeding states could be brought
hack into tho union. The general
who held such views and did not hesi-
tate TO annuncate them was not to
be tolerated, II mattered nothing II those
views were true; 1t was not then politically
convenient to recognize their truth. Sher-
man must, therefore,, be robbed OF all public
consideration, so that his opinion should be
generally regarded as valueless, He was,
consequently, Mt once referred TO most
sltghungly IN tho press and dubbed ''insane
and crazy" apparently on the authority and
by the conniyerce OF tho secretary of war
The impression was carefully spread abroad
that "the cares perplexities and anxietes Of
the situation had unbalanced his Judgment
and mind.n In letter OF November 4, 1861,
Sherman said he left tho future to decide
whether no had or had not overestimated the
number Of union troops required to destroy
all armed opposition in the valley OF the Mis-
sisslppi
II Is, perhaps, superfuous TO add
that the educated general was right