The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-10-07
A STRANGE MAN.

Mrs. Rachel Sherman Thoradyke, daugh-
ter Of the late Gen. William T. Sherman,
has published the correspondence between
her father and his brother John, covering
period extending from 1887 20 lsoL The
Letters which passed between the two
brothers during the period just preceding
and comprising the civil war are exceed
ingly interesting for the light they throw
upon the character and motives of one of
the greatest commanders Of our civil war.
William T. Sherman graduated from
West Point In 1910: resigned from the
army Ia 1853; was . banker in San Fran
cisco four years; was bitterly hostile to
the vigilance committee of 1856: failed in
business in 1857; practiced Law for two
years At Leayenworth and abandoned il in
disgust. His old army friend, Gen. Bragg,
wealthy Louisiana planter, obtained for
him the appointment of superintendent of
the Louisiana military academy in Au-
gust, 1889
When Gov. Moore, Of Louisiana. seised
the Federal forts in January, 1861, Gen.
Sherman resigned, and in March, 1861,
started for his home in Lancaster, o.
He went 10 Washington City. called on
Lincoln, stated his fears and convictions
an 20 the war and the gravity of it. Lin
coin listened with absolute disregard, and
with some scorn replied: "oh. well, /
guess we'll manage 10 keep house"
Sherman went to 81. Louis discouraged,
accepted the presidency of a street railway
company. He did not volunteer under
Lsncoln's first call because he had no
faith In militia and raw recruits. He wrote
informed that Mcclellan is appointed to
command the Ohio militia, a most excel.
lent appointment; better officer could
not be found"
Sherman saw Gen. Lyon and Col. Frank
r. Blair capture Camp Jackson and offered
them no congratulations or assistance.
When, on May Ii. 1861. Sherman was in
formed Of his appointment as colonel of
the regular Thirteenth infantry his time
had come; he had life place In the regu-
lar army ami he started for Washington
City.
At Bull Run he commanded one Of the
brigades of McDoweil's army, bat was soon
after ordered West A week after the
capture OF Fort Doneison In February,
is62, Gen. sherman, who had Just been
told that Mcclellan was dead In the esti-
nation Of even military men, said: .'Don't
get 20 war with Mcclellan. You mistake
him If you underrate him. He must begin
10 move soon. and think no will. II he
can threaten Richmond and cause John
ston to fall back from Manassas, he will
relieve the capital"
Concerning the battle OF Shiloh Gen.
Sherman denies that he was surprised.
and claims that before the enemy had
got within cannon range OF my position
every regiment was at the post had pre-
viously assigned to them. The cavalry
was saddled and artillery harnessed up,
unlimbered, and commenced firing as soon
as We could see anything TO Ere at" sher-
man again AYERS that. as matter OF fact.
every battery was harnessed and in posi-
ton before called on to fire. and that the
cavalry were in the saddle ct daylight.
whereas the attack did not begin until the
sun was two hours high. "prentiss was
not surprised. for sent ham word an hour
before the enemy's infantry began to APP
pear. and he was not made prisoner until
after 3 p. m"
In his letter of May 81. 1852, Gen. sher-
man claims the evacuation of Corinth,
Miss., by sBesuregard as "a victory as
brilliant and important as any recorded
In history"
In his letter Of January IL, is63. Gen.
Sherman writes
inf Lincoln intended 20 insult me and
the military profession by putting Nc
Clernand over me. and | would have
quietly folded 40 my things and gone TO
ST. Louis, only know in times like these
all mus. submit ia insult and infamy il
necessary. The very moment l think
some other Is at hand 10 take my corps,
Ill slide out hone the polt-
tleians viii not interfere with Halieck.
Ioa have driven of Mcclellan. and 10
Burnside any beiGerf Buell. is displaced.
IL Roseerans any fAsterY His victory nj
Murfreesooro is dearly bought Let Hal
EEK alone. and, II things don't go 10 your
liking, don't charge lt - men. but 10 the
condition Of things. Human power 10
limited, and yea cannot appreciate the
machine the elements which go 10 make
up our armies. A thousand dollars q dsy
would net pay me for the lroubse OF man
aging a volunteer army"
Gen. sherman as late as April 8, 1858,
wrissa very cautiously Of Grant. saying:
sMcPherson IL a splendid officer: Grant is
honest and does hss best" After Grant
had taken yGeksburg. Sherman sees that
it IL high time fer him 10 hitch bis wagon
70 Grants star. 80 be begins to express q
higher opinion Of that great commander.
As la,s a. March -. lisa, Gen. Sherman
writes
olive Grant all the support yoa can. II
he can escape the tolls OF the sehemers he
nav do sefae good. lie viii nEht aud the
Array Of the Potomac ~iil have al the
nshtine they want lie wiii expee; your
frisnaship-we are close frsencs Ills
simplicity and modesly are natural, and
not affected T"
on Aprii s. sherman writes:
s.sSrant Is as good q leader IS we could
Ena. lie has honesty. simplicity Of char
scier. ssng.eness Of purpose. and no hone
or claim 10 usurp civil power. his char
.ese-. more than his g~asas, ~tl reconcile
armies and siirzcs the peor2s. Let dim
alone"
On January =. issS. Gen. Sherman
writes.
s'of military tstie. have nov the maxi
fnnra. and il makes 40 differences whether
thai ee major general o. msrsAal; i mssss
the sane shsag. have commanded fe0 GO
men ia cattle and on shs march success
fasly and without ontssaoa. and thai Is
saoasA .or reputation"
These extracts FROM Gea- sAerman's pri-