The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1891-11-21
SAID "oLo TscUMP" WAS CRAZY.
Murat Unlstead's Story Of the Late Gen.
Sherman's Alleged Insanity.

There has recently been discovered
and published n letter written in the
last month OF 1861 by Gen. Halleck to
Gen. Mcclellan concerning the mental
condition of Gen. William Iccumseh
Sherman, whom Halleck had just re-
moved from command in Missouri and
sent home To OHIO. Il am satisfied"
said Halleck, THAT Gen. Sncrman's
physical and mental system is so conn
pletely broken by labor and care as to
render him for the present entirely un-
tit for duty. | am satisfied that in his
present condition it would he danger
Gus to give him command here"
This incident occurred few weeks
after the Louisville episode in Gen.
Shermau's career, and while the Gem
eral was in Ohio the Cincinnati Com.
mcrciRi. edited by Field Marshal Hal
stead. published the assertion that
Sherman had gone insane. He was
known aS Crazy Sherman" for some
time after that.
In one of his characteristic clucida-
tions OF the exact truth" of secret
history Field Marshal Murat Halstead
explains in the BROOKLYN SttRdrd-
IbttN hDH lt tHtilt III NtDDlIllfe bpI.
Sherman as lunatic in December.
1861. Tho Field Marshal defends him
self against the Charge of levitv, reck-
lrssnesS, or Indifference 10 human in
iirniity, by alleging that he published
Gen. Sherman rs maniac with great
reluctance. and only when implored 10
do so by messenger sent 10 him by
the most influential men in Louis
Vile" 1t was stated" he explains
in the the most impressive terms. as
ii fact OF the gravest and most painful
and alarming nature. that the insanity
OF Gen. Sherman was unquestionable
and the editor was implorcd TO say so,
that the army might be no longer in
peril from the freaks of lunatie."
Far from seizing upon the ridiculous
story with eagcrne>s. as ii sensational
niece OF news Tor the Commercial. the
Field Marshal undertook the un-
pleasant duty solely from motives of
the lofliest patriotism. Indeed. "he
WAS warned that he had TO perform
duty that was not unattended with
danger" Gen. Sherman might have
the Field Marshal seized and shot; IA
crazy man would be capable of that il
he had the chance. Besides, Gen.
Sherman was the brother of Senator
John Sherman. IAN old friend" of the
Field Marshars. The natural dictates
of personal friendship forbade the pub
licalion, yet the Field Marshal wrote
and printed his celebrated editorial
article pronouncing Sherman insane.
mot rs "A sensation or in terms that
were frivolous or exaggerated. but rs
the solemn statement Of IA public calam-
ii. Never was an editor more sur
prised. adds the Field Mars al. than
the writer when Gen. Ewing called. aud
ia half a dozen sentences declared the
truth, p" that is. that Sherman was rs
sane rs the Field Marshal himself
But. like most of Mr.. Halsteads ex-
plantations. this is superfluous. No
body regards any Of his masterpieces Of
thought and action as inspired by
motives less noble than patriotic and
profound sense Of his responsi bility 10
the American public: Nor does any
body suppose that when he had once
made up his mind 10 perform an un-
pleasant but patriotic dnty he could he
deferred by considerations Of personal
iriendship.-N. y. san.