The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-04-13


slcKLEs HOWARD
three of the greater commanders Of the
Federal army nt Gettysburg into neighbor-
D. relations more than 80 years after the
last shot was fired upon that field.
c.ckles. Slocum aud Howard were the
three division commanders. Had General
Meade been killed in the battle one Of these
men would have succeeded him in CHIEF
command The general in command and
nearly an Of the brigade and corps com
mauders who fought upon either side in
that great battle are now dead. Longsireet
Is the only conspicuous Confederate general
Of that day who Is now living, but these
three division commanders whose com
mand. made up almost the entire army Of
General Meade are now living, two Of them
IN New York city and one in Brooklyn.
General Howard has most interesting
literary style and has occupied much Of
his leisure time since he was placed i'm com
mand Of that division OF the army which
has Headquarters In New York in writing
for the magazines and press. He is not an
orator. but General Sickles aud General
Slocum have both won considerable houors
upon the political stump. All three are
enthusiastic when Gettysburg Is named,
and their recollections and anecdotes asso-
ciated with that field are among the most
fascinating stories Of tine war that are told
in places where men and women meet IN
social pleasures
Sickles and Slocum are lawyers Slocum
Is a West Point graduate, but gave mp the
sword while still very young man to read
law, aud he was already in the possession
Of fair practice when President Isincoln's
call for troops WAS made He was one OF
the first 60 respond, and his military edu-
-
rank.
After the war Slocum returned TO bis
lawb0oks Had be not done 80 he would
have been some years ago the senior major
general OF the army. He had some dispo-
sition FOR politics and WA sent 10 congress,
and but for a quarrel between two factions
Of his party. and As his friends have always
claimed a trick, be would have been nom
mated for governor Of New York in lss2 in
stead Of Grover Cleveland aud would OF
course have received that phenomenal ma
lority which made Mr.. Cleveland conspicu-
Gus before the country. General Slocum's
friends are fond a saying that but for this
chance of politics BIZ might have been presi-
dent instead Of Cleveland
But IL be did not gain the presidency Slo-
cum seemed to have got possession Of a Mi
das wand. Every business corporation with
~
almost before be knew it he found himself
very wealthy man. Yet no one would
suspect 10 from his appearance His hair is
very silvery now, and so is his mustache,
ard be goes about with "A light cane. But
the clothing that be wears seems never 20
have had = fashionable tailOr's cut, but to
have Gene from the ready made counters,
and In all bis habits be Is the most unOa-
teutatious OF men.
General Sickles lives in handsome apart
meuts ON lower Fifth avenue New York
Ills rooms are filled with artistic decora-
tion- and treasures any Of them collected
when be was minister 20 spain. In the
morning, when bis friends call. they fiud
the old general dressed in "A loose gown
which has seen many years Of service il
faded TROUSERS aud well worn slippers.
Sometimes hc ha- scarf about his neck,
but 100 collar lie b. cordial. and his man
uer i- of that SORT which we are accustomed
to associate with old school gentlemen.
But when be talks of the war bis eyes snap
FIRE, aud he ragged like tiger one morning
in his rooms when be- was told that DO was
proposed 70 cut mp the Gettysburg battle
field with an electric railway
Nearly 40 year. ago SIckles entered con
Rress, one % che most conspicuous Demo
Gratis of New York a- well as one OF the
youngest men in that body BE was famous
because of bis aggressive stump 0ratorv
and ana impcriou- yet kindly WAY which
made him the idol Of "a great body ~ his
party members Boa New York city lie bad
already wide neputc a. an orator Of the
stump when be- furnished tlr country one
Of Che most exciting aud dramatic Of srussa-
tiou- through the Staying 81 District A.
torney Key directly in front Of the White
House. 4n act for which be- Wiis aftergard
acquitted by jury being defended by one
Of The most brilliant advocates ever 40 the
Amercua bar. fue late james i Brady
sickle achievements 200 tle war which
broke ont two years later caused that trag-
edy IN be- forgotten. lie i- fDrceful writer
not graceful. Ike General Howard and is
a. hi- bret with the peu when boz i- prrpar-
lng Hu GRAFTON Ike that one recently delIv-
erred boz iLe house. His recuIlccriuus of Get
ty-hurg ought 90 he preserved. and lie
would be quite willing Do contribute his
share 90 the work that proposed
General Howard has always been sol
der but be j, soon tD BE- retired ou account
OF age and will probably make Nelv York
bis home. Tie w.l, distinguished during
the war not Gully for brilliant ability but.
like General -tcncwali Jackson. for his
p.rty aud be- has shown how easy 10 d. Tor
one of true Christian faith to boz % consist
ent, brave aud honorable - arrior. and int the
time of peac, to Influence BIZ Dis example
those with whom be comrs in contact.
General Howard IN now most charming
companion. and biz auecdotcs of Grfty- bur.
ART quite as thrilling aud even more
quantity told than those with which sic
kles and slocun entertain their frieud-
II j FuW aur.-