Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1892-04-21
GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN.
The Lfe of General Sherman Reviewed By
His Brother.

At the Loyal Legion banquet held
in New York recently Senator Sher-
man responded to the toast in honor
of the memory OF Gen. W.T.. Sherman
in an interesting speech ofgreat length.
He reviewed the career OF the general
from early childhood. He spoke
about the warm confidence and affec-
tion which had always existed be-
tween them; told how they separated
after the death of their father, and
stated that at the time the general
went to West Point there commenced
between them a correspondence which
continued up to within one week of
the generals death, only interrupted
when the thread OF their lives brought
them together at Washington. He de-
tailed the generals career in California
through the gold excitement as n
banker and lawyer: told about his re-
turn to the east and his employment
in the military academy in Louisiana
AS to the general taking sides in the
war the senator said the movement
which led him into it was his extreme
patriotism. Secession would destroy
the union and therefore he was op-
posed to secession. This is certain he
did not enter the military service on
account of slavery, for his sympathies
and friendship were largely with the
south. In a letter written in the fall
of 1854, congratulating brother
upon his election as a member of con-
gress, he said: "As n young member |
hope you will not be too forward, es-
pecially on the question of slavery,
which, 1t seems, is rising more and
more every year into a question OF
real danger, Notwithstanding compro-
misses. Having lived great deal in
the south think know practically
more about slavery than you do. Ii
it were new question no one would
contend for introducing IL, but this is
an old and historic fact that you
must take as you find it,"
After reviewing General Sherman 5
resignation from the Louisiana acad-
emy, etc, the senator said the general
came to Washington in March, 1861,
to advise the authorities of the condi-
tion of affairs in the south and offer
his services. He was amazed at the
apathy he found. He talked to Presl-
dent Lincoln, who said he hoped they
would not need soldiers. What was
said by Lincoln was kindly meant,
but it had an unpleasant effect on
Gen. Sherman, who, on leaving said to
his brother: These men are sleeping
on a volcano, but | have done my
duty"
The senator touched on the attack
by certain newspapers on the general,
the time of his assertion that 2OO,-
600 troops would be required to open
up the Mississippi river, and said in
reference thereto: 81 knew full well
that the-charge of insanity was false
and understood better than anyone
else his strong opinions as to the
nature of the war, and how easy his
frank and open, but true declaration
could be used as evidence of timidity,
or even insanity"
The senator went on to show how
the drift of events soon gave Sherman
an opportunity to demonstrate his
sanity. Speaking OF his part In the
battle of Shiloh, the senator says that
there commenced his friendship with
General Grant, which, like Damon and
Pvthias, has been made the subject OF
song and story. 1t was one OF the
most interesting incidents OF the war
and continued unbroken while both
lived.
Speaking OF the row which was
raised over the first surrender arranged
between Sherman and Johnston, the
senator says he knew that the general
believed that in agreeing to those
terms he was carrying out the policy
outlined by President Lincoln IN the
famous interview at Hampton Roads
He did not know, however, that the
brutal murder OF Lincoln had aroused
i'm the minds OF northern people feel
ing of resentment which would not
tolerate the liberal terms granted to
Johnston and his remnant OF rebe