The National tribune., 1892-12-29
soldiers of the Republic had become better

| SOtd1oI5 OF the Republic had become better
| citizens by becoming soldiers.
| Probably no army in the world ever had so
| abundant reason to rejoice in the fruits OF its
| victories as the Union army. Among those
| causes of rejoicing. never before given to any
| other army, is the fact that the conquered enemy
now. in less than q generation after the close of
the war, rejoice with the Union soldiers in their
own defeat and the Union victory. The South
ern soldier now vies with the Northern in man
ifestations OF loyalty to the grand old flag of
| the Union; and almost from the very day when
| the Confederates surrendered they have longed
| for an opportunity TO manifest their submission
to the decision of battle and
| To DEMONSTRATE THEIR RENEWED LOYALTY
to the Government and Constitution of the
| United States. by joining with the soldiers of
| the North In service against foreign enemy.
Even the condition of the race emancipated
! by the war is also a source of qualification.
| The emancipated blacks have made greater
! progress IN civilization than their most ardent
friends had expected. As a whole, they are
contented, industrious, and prosperous. Those
who have been permitted 10 enter the military
service-and they amount to four full regiments
are faithful obedient, well-discplined and
brave soldiers proud of an opportunity to serve
their country.
If in some comparatively small sections and
| under the most unfavorable conditions, the
problem OF the emancipated race has not yet
been satisfactorily solved, let no philanthropist
despair on that account. Let il be trusted with
confidence that in due time the more numerous
and more fortunate race will find some way by
which the less fortunate shall be made prosper
Gus, contented, and secure in all
THE RIGHTS OF AMERICAN FREEMEN;
so that finally the African, whose ancestors
were brought to this country through the greed
OF our ancestors, will become, in all respects, a
worthy citizen OF the great Republic and q
blessing to the descendants of those who en-
slaved his ancestors.
The Army of the Tennessee was the nursery
and school OF great commanders. i will speak
not of any of the living. though many of them
merit high eufogium and the gratitude of their
country. / will mention only the names of
some of those who have finished their careers
on earth and gone to their final rewards
Among these have already sndeavored to
do justice to the heroic Lyon, the first great
sacrifice In the Union cause. The brave and
patriotic Blair was also among the very first
and ablest of the champions of the Union cause
in the West
THE BRILLIANT MCPHERSON,
whose life was sacrificed at Atlanta, received
his first lessons as staff officer in the Army Of
the Tennessee, and died one of its ablest com.
manders. The ideal volunteer soldier and Gen.
erai, John A. Logan, was one of its most sue
cessful commanders during the four years of
| his first lessons in war upon a largs scale in q
command belonging to the Army of the Ten
nessee. The most brilliant genius of the war,
William Tecumseh Sherman, was also one of
the first pupils of that great army. as well as
one of it's most able commanders. While above
all the great leader, Ulysses s. Grant, derived
his first lessons as an army commander, as well
as the last in command of single army, as
Commander Of the Army Of the Tennessee.
1t is pleasing and grateful, though delicate,
duty to record the hest estimate we are able to
make of the striking characteristics Of our
great comrades whose records have been COM
pieted. In this connection I cannot hesitate to
mention the name Of
THAT GREAT SOLDIER, GEN. GEORGE n.
THOMAS.
He alone Of all our great commanders was pre-
cisely like Grant in one striking characteristic.
His courage was OF such exalted character that
the operation of his mind like that of Grants,
seemed not to be affected in any degree. either
favorably or unfavorably. by the responsibility
of great command. Amid the excitement of
battle both were equally cool and composed
under all circumstances. Meade and Hancock
were, in their soldierly characteristics, like
Sherman and Mcpherson, respectively.
Sherman. naturally impulsive, and exceed
ingly quick Of thought and action, became in
the midst of battle cool, conservative, and pru-
dent yet characterized in the most exciting
to his own lightning thoughts. Sheridan pos
sessed that rare mental and moral nature which
seemed to require
THE EXCITEMENT OF THE FIERCEsT BATTLE
to develop his highest intellectual faculties;
so that his orders given under fire were ap-
parently as cool and deliberate as his leader. |
ship was impetuous and irresistible.
McPherson, more brilliant of intellect, and |
perhaps more accomplished in proportion to his |
age than any of his compeers, was at his best |
when leading his troops into action, manifestly |
inspired only by the loftiest sense of duty, and |
absolutely thought!ess of self.
Logan. brave, impetuous, and able, soon &C.
quired, through experience, the ability to lead |
and command not only a corps but an army-a |
natural soldier, laudably ambitious of military
renown, in comparison to which he himself de- |
elared the highest civil honor undesirable.
PROBABLY NO ARMY IN THE WORLD
of equal magnitude has been so fortunate as to
have in its ranks snch galaxy of brilliant
leaders as those who belonged to the Army of |
the Tennessee. So. also, it may be safely said |
without disparagement of any, that no army
that ever existed performed more brilliant,
arduous, aud successful service in the cause of
its country. Its name and fame will forever be
cherished by the American people as among
their dearest possessions. In many generations
yet unborn the patriotic American will point
with lofty pride to the humble sodier-grave of |
his ancestor and say, He belonged to the
Army of the Tennessee"
30 rH~yg