The morning call., 1893-01-09
MECHANICS OF GENERALS.
A Partial List of Descriptive Titles
Applied by the Men.
Washington Star.


General Ulysses Simpson Grant was at
first called ''0d United States" from the
initials of his name. After the little episode
at Fort Donelson. when he issued the edct
which stamped him as equal to the emer-
gency, his men enthusiastically declared
that those mi taIs stood for Unconditional
Surrender"
In fact these initials caused him not lit
lie perturbation Of mind, and in the end he
actually had to abandon his Daptsmal name
to save the dignity OF West Point, which I'M
Willingly gave him name that didn't be-
long 10 him, but since it was writ down"
the Ted-tape complications involved In re-
storing his right name presented formidable
obstacles which he he hesitated TO tackle.
Many of his men called him "Old Three
Stars. indicating his RANK as Lieutenant
General.
General William T. Sherman was famil-
iarly called Uncle Billy" by his men. and
also ''Od Tecumseh."
General George b. Mcclellan, who was a
prime fayorite with his men, became en-
deared to them as Little Mac"
General George j. Meade wore glasses.
and was speedily dubbed ''Four-Eyed
George" from that and from the fact that
he was keen and quick and very little
escaped bis observation. The title was one
of which he was proud. for he knew 1t was
not designed to cut two ways.
General Ambrose 4. Burnside, who re-
lieved Mcclellan as commander Of the
Army OF the Potomac. was at first colonel
OF the First Rhode Island, but when he came
to the dignity OF general he was titled
"Rh0dy." Incidentally it may be stated
that General Burnside also gave name TO the
cut Of "burnsders' so much in vogue few
years since. THE general with his whis-
kers' was considered very handsome
figure.
General Joseph E. Hooker got the sobrl-
quet Fighting joe" which lie hated
heartily and the man who was spelling
for scrap" could earn il easily by allud-
ing to the doughty generals title in his
presence.
The MeCook family was we'll represented
in the War of the Rebellion and the mem
bers were generally punched as the
Fighting McCooks." General Alexander
McCook had as one OF his staff officers
Acknowledgement Dan MeCoOk of Hin Ois.
Other members of the family we're Captain
Edwin McCn0k, who belonged to Logan'S
regiment; Lieutenant Edward MeCOok,
who was in the regular army; Major Arson
g. McCook of the Second Ohio; Captain
Henry McCook OF Illinois, and Sheldon Me-
Cook, lieutenant in the navy. They bore
themselves bravely aud won tile title
Fighting McCocks."
General John Pope was called "Saddlebag
JohD." When he first took command Of the
Army of Virginia he found everything in
confusion which he set to work to
straighten out When asked where his
headquarters were be replied. ''in the sad
die"
Generel Winfield Hancock was known as
Hancock the Superb" a name given him
by General Meade after the magnificent
manner III which he repulsed Longstreet at
Gettysburg.
General Andrew A. Humphreys. who was
q distinguished engineer, was styled "Oid
Mathematics"
General John A. Logan had several titles.
One was BLACK Jack" because of his tawuy
complexion and long black hair. He was
also called "Old War Eagle" and the BLACK
Eagle OF Illinois,"
General Philip Sheridan, whose stature
was far from commensurate with his
ability and brain, was greatly beloved by
his men, and was called by them Little
Phil"
General Albert Sykes was 'Syksey"
among his men.
General Henry w. Halleck was nick
named ''0ld Brains.
General William S. ROseeraus was
speedily dubbed Rosy"
General Philip Kearney left en- arm in
Mexico and was known among his men as
'0ne-armed Phil"
General Benjamin +. Butler, because of
his peculiar dropping eYeiids, WAS called
"0ld C0ck-eye."
General Juds0n c. Fitzpatrick was known
as XIII" an abbreviation OF his last name.
Dashing General George Custer, because
of his long yellow curls, was known as
"Ringlets."
General George H. Thomas was Familiarity
known among his men as Pap Thomas. +"
After the battle of Chiekamauga lie was
given, as mark Of distinguished honor, the
title OF Rock OF Chckamauga."