The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-08-11


more delay would not be harmful. Sherman
would talk continuously several minutes, and
his words suggested to my mind at the time
the beating Of the "long-rol." He would
pause occasionally TO give Grant opportunity
TO saw a few words, when he would start on
again more earnest than ever, II possible;
pausing only for hints from Grant. 1t was a
discussion, in the highest sense, the character
of which
THE READER OF GRANTS MEMOIRS
will infer without difficulty. 1t was an cpl
sode nowhere referred to in the accounts of
that day, immediately preceding and fast cul-
miuating eveats-a discussion in which Sher-
man did nearly all the talking, yet it was one
in which Grant said most, as thought at the
time
Writing as am of this PERIOD the spot. and
actors of uneuua! interest in the war, / will
refer to another incident i'll which Sherman
was an actor. but which is nowhere referred
TO in history-not even in Grants Memoirs,
from which as / Can understand 1t may have
been designedly omitted, as certain others Were'
for similar reasons.
The painful suspense felt at Chattanooga at
WashiI cton. ani everywhere else wnere affairs
were understood their ,rGe lighr, just prior
to the battle of NJ Visionary RidEr. and TO which
Gen. Grant refers with an intensity OF feeling
which is betrayed by MIN regarding hardly
any other period of the war, will be recalled by
and in that quarter. The battle hal already been
postponed.two DAYS and WAS TO take place with
in the next 40 iiours'-ihe preeis time depend
ing somewhat the arrival OF sherman
forces Sherman himself by fast riding. had
reached Grants headquarters in Chattanooga,
aud established his own some SIX or eight miles
above Sunday morning lie was at Grant S
headquarters iu earnest consultation over I'M
pending operations and receiving Grants final
views and instructions. The day and the hour
of the great movement for destroying Bragg S
army bad been agreed upon. Sherman mounted
his horse in the best of spirits. Ny men Will be
ND all right IN the morning" said he, address
ing Grant: then giving spurs to his horse, he
waved his hand and
WAS OFF LIKE A CIRCUS RIDER.
The hour after correspondent who had been
with Grant at Nicksburg and subsequently,
reported at my quarters. He had ridden rap
idly from Bridgeport, passing Sherman entire
column, whom he knew perfectly. He was full
of information as TO their condition and where
abouts and could say almost exactly where, at
that very moment every brigade was. l told
him to hold himself iB readiness for heavy
operations within the next 4S hours, or poSsi bly,
sooner. as should need his help on the field,
especially with Sherman's forces. dc replied
by saying that if pending operations contem-
plated the active cooperation of the great body
of Sherman's force in SO short time as had
tion; aud then ne proceeded to say that at the
rate Sherman's men were coming it would take
dars for them to get into position; that the
column was bringing everything, bag. baggage,
and osipmepts-indeed. everything. This
was wholly contrary to Sbermans report and
to Grants intentions, as knew, which was
that the mcn were proceeding in all haste and
in light marching order. So important did
consider the correspondents knowledge, aud
SO intelligent his report that took him 10
headquarters when Grant recognized him rs
one entirely competent and Trustworthy.
will not undertake to describe the obvious
effect of this lew state of facts and the totally
changed condition TO the main reliance
for success in the impending operations
On Grant. In his Memoirs he hints at dis
appointments and unforeseen causes OF de-
lay, but SAYS nothing directly of this new de-
yelspmeut. Grant said little besides asking
such questions as would draw from the corre-
spondent all the Information he had. but 1t was
obvious that
He WAS DEEPLY STIRRED.
On reading his own description of the situation
at that very hour one finds no difficulty in be-
lieving that his hopes were then net little
shattered. Sherman was recalled and made
acquainted with the true state OF the Case
Corroborating facts were obtained, and the
great movement was further postponed three
DAYS.
Grants quarters he Was in q serious mood and
better iniosmed Iran in the morning when he
lefe ~fnefs &efe ID Z room near Grants quar-
tiers q number OF Regular officers OF rank who
also knew Sherman of old. one OF whom voiced
the views of the Others by saying: Like good
mess pork. Sherman cuts up spendidly as a
rule but there is always the danger of coming
across lean streak precisely when it is not
wanted"
Afterward / recalled 10 Sher;Gan's critic this
incident and the other one of the terms of
Johnston's surrender in North Carolina to
Sherman. yhi ieh gave not only Grant, but Lin
coin and Stanton, no little concern and any
amount oi lr0uh.e- 80
Great as Sherman, unsue5tionsbly was as a
soldier. tie " lean streak that was liable to be
developed was often in the minds of those who
knew him best.
The relations between Grant and Sherman
were not solely those OF friendship nor were
they snch as would naturally exist as the re-
suit Of professional intimacy. They were not
friends, but lovers almost, if not quite. Yet in
nearly every essential respect they were quite
unlike; as much so IS Ill the respect that Grant
silent and Sherman ioquacious man.
They thought they understood each other per-
fectly. 1t became clear III after years that they
did have distinct estimate OF each others
capabilities and deserts which at the same time
were not @:tsost doubts. In certain particu-
lars sherman. while conccding extraordinary
traits OF character and capRbility of head and
heart 10 Grant was disposed 10 rate himself in
some things, above him. especially 50 far as re-
lated 10 large operations requiring knowledge
OF the science OF war and general information.
THIS WAS sHERNA.'s CRITICISM
Of Grant when the latter was made General Of
all the Armies: Does Grant have the knowl-
edge derived from reading, as well as expert
ence, TO qualify him for so responsible posi-
ton ?" This is what Sherman wrote at the
time, ard he wrote in manner that implied
grave doubts his part. The letter which
Sherman then wrote reads curiously in after
years, in connection with the part that Grant
played in correcting Sherman's mistakes; nota-
bly, the episode of the surrender 10 Sherman OF
Johnston ia North Carolina in the very last
days Of the Sherman valued Grants ad-
vice and Judgment very highly and il il
equally true that Grant frequently felt that il
was his duty to give TO sherman both. II il
pertinent 10 say here that Mcpherson, not
Sherman. was Grants favorite to command the
march through Georgia. When Mcpherson
fell. Sherman was no longer Grants second
choice.
As 10 fuss and feathers" Grant and Sher.
man were wholly unlike; the former had
none. the latter good many. A single incl
dent. personal to myself. will point the idea
On the day preceding the battle OF Missionary
Ridge was watching the operation OF build
ing the pontoon bridge across the Tennessee
River, on which Shermsn's men were TO gain
The nositiuu frum which he vautd asSaul,