The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-02-15
VOL. 5.-NEw SERIES, NUMBER 7

had been wounded in the hand, but continued
at his task Assuming command in the field,
Halleck slowly spaded his way 10 Corinth,
which Beauregard called the strategic point
showed. since with its fall followed that Of
Memphis.
Sherman was made a najor-general OF vol
unteers. to date from May /. 1852, and was
assigned TO the command Of Memphis, in
which responsible position he displayed Wig
Orous administrative abilities. A splendid
aspiration had taken possession of the West
that Of reconquering the Mississippi from
Cairo TO the Gulf-and this alike defined and
stimulated It's efforts. On that line Vicksburg
was the next stronghold to attack. and Sher-
man was called upon by Grant TO lead an ex-
pedition thither. This he promptly did but
his assault was rcpulsed. owing partly to the
unexpected strength of the works, and partly
TO Van Dorn's capture of Holly Springs,
Grants own base Of supplies. which destroyed
his power 10 give the presrranged co.opera-
ton Sherman, however, under McCler-
nand. promptly utilized his force by attacking
Fort Hindman, on the Arkansas which was
captured, with garrison 5000 strong.
Then Sherman took part with his corps, the
Fifteenth. in Grants campaign against Nicks-
burg, which. after the victories of Champions
Hill and the Big Black. was crowned with the
surrender Of the city and its works, containing
more than 200 cannon and 10000 men, all that
was then left of Pembertons army. That
same day, the 4th Of July, 1868, Sherman was
hurried of against the cooperating force OF
Johnston. when the place surrendered on
the 4th,n Grant reported, two days earlier
than | had fixed for the attack. Sherman was
found ready and moved at once"
But Sherman's reputation for celer1ty was
soon 10 have other tests Rosecrans. having
encountered Bragg in the tremendous battle
of Chckamauga, had fallen back into Chat
tanooga. and was virtually under siege.
Grant, summoned thither from Nicksburg 70
take command hurried Sherman, who had
succeeded to the command of the Army of the
Tennessee. to the rescue. Arriving at Chat
tanooga from the long march Sherman took
post on Grants left at Tunnel Hill, and when
all was ready engaged the enemy hotly' while
Thomas, with the Army of the Cumberland,
forming on the plain below with the preci-
sion of parade. swept magniicently across
Mission Ridge and drove Bragg back into
Georgia. .,
Meanwhile, Burnside had been besieged by
Longstreet at Knoxville. and was IN great
stress. without pause for rest. Sherman
was sent 10 his relief but Braggs disaster
had broken up the siege, and Sherman
marched back TO Chattanooga. Returning to
Vicksburg he organized q strong expedition
and raided the country TO Meridian, destroy
ing Confederate communications. Congress
voted thanks to him and his men for their
| gallant and arduous services in marching 20
| the relief of the Army Of the Cumberland, and
| for their gallantry and heroism IN the Datue
| of Chattanooga, which contributed in great
degree 10 the success of our arms IN the glo-
| riuus victory" go,
The spring OF 1864 opened WIN uralt III
Virginia. commanding all the armies as lieu
tenant-general, and Sherman in charge OF the
| campaign in the West, succeeding Grant as
! commander Of the Military Division OF the
| Mississippi. Starting from Ringgold, in front
| of Chattanooga, with nearly l0O0oO men, IN
Guiding Thomas Army, OF the Cumberland.
over 60 900 strong, McPhersons Army OF the
Tennessee and Schofelds Army Of the Ohio,
Sherman drove back his opponent, the wary
| and skilful General J. +. Johnston, in a series
| of remarkable movements now fighting ana
now fanking him. He forced him from his
stronghold at Rocky Face Ridge by turning
| his left and when he fell back TO Reseca
| Sherman fought him there: then. threatening
! his flank. again threw him back to Cassville,
| and across the line of the EtOwah. he
fought him at New Hope Church and at Dal-
las. and assaulted him on the impregnaoie
heights of Kenesaw Then returning 70 his
! old mannuyre Of flank march to the night
he executed il with superb skill that placed
him firmly on the Chattahoochee, with all
North Georgia in his power.
Alarmed at the progress of the Union arms,
| jefferson Davis displaced Johnston by Hood,
| the dashing Texan. who tried the offensive,
only to be severely defeated at Peachtree
Creek, Atlanta, Ezra Church and Jonesbor-
| ough Then Sherman entered Atlanta IN
| triumph. The whole North rung with ap-
plaure. and President Lincoln sent him the
| thanks of the nation "for the distinguished
ability and perseverance displayed IN the
campaign in Georgia, which, under DIVINE
| favor. has resulted in the capture OF Atlanta,
| The marches battles, sieges and other mill
tarv operations that have signalized the cam
paign must render it famous in the annals OF
war"
Hood. bent on retrieving his fortunes,
struck out northward for a campaign in len
nessee. hoping force Sherman retreat. But
| the Union strategist sent Thomas 20 confront
that danger, and in due time Hood was checked
wi,h severe loss by Schofeld at Franklin,
and then Overwhelmingly defeated by Thomas
| at Nashville in one of the pivotal battles Oh
| the war. Meanwhile Sherman, cutting loose
! from his base and foraging on the country as
| he went. started from Atlanta eastward ON the
great march TO the sea-one OF the most nleiil- l
orable examples in history of the great mov-
able column Approe ching Savannah he car
ried Fort McAllister by assault. and the
country was thrilled with this message from
| him TO President Lincoln: II beg TO present
Won as Christmas gift the city o. Savannah,
with $50 heavy guns and plenty of flnmuniton'
| also about rs 900 of bales of cotton"
Reftting without delay Sherman set ont
when February opened upon another great
| march. this time for the conquest OF the caro-
| linas and an approach 10 Richmond. HIS
RIGHT wing was under Howard, and his left
nnder Slocum. with Fitzpatrick commanding
the calvary. as in the March to the Sea, Wad-
inc swamps. fording rivers and scattering OPP
positions before it, his triumphant army
pressed northward. Charleston was eyacu-
ated by Hardee, when Sherman, passing III MS
rear. cut its communications; Columbia ieli
! into his hands. the line Of North Carolina
was crossed. and the enemy was fought a
| Ayerasborough and Bentonyille. Then Sher-
man joined hands at Goldsborough with
Schofeld. who had marched up from the coast
and taken Wilmington.
And now the end was at hand. Lee was
overwhelmed, and forced 10 surrender at Apo
mattox. Then Johnson capitulated e. Sher-
man at Greenville. 1t only remained FOR the
| two great conquering armies to march IN tn
umphal review through Washington-irant
on the 23d Of May. and Sherman's the day
| following. Then the conquering forces melt
| ed back into the current of simple citizensnip,
and peace came with restored Union. Inc
country testified its admiration by creating
for Grant the grade Of General and raising
| Sherman 10 that of Lieutenant-Generai- Wheh
| Grant became President Sherman IN turn
| took his place as General, and by special ex-
ception retained the full pay OF this grade on
| his retirement from the active list at the age