New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-11-18

POINT anu ledNe OH lHe ullIilnlHBs.
Il will do so, General. but some explanation
is very necessary When General Hardee left
the city on the approach Of your army he took
with him every horse mule and wheeled vehicle
The colored men now absolutely refuse to work
unless they are PAID In Federal money ana we
have no Federal money"
We'll. what Of it?'
Il will explain. Our good friends in New
York City have sent to us a steamship laden
with a cargo Of meats and other fresh PROVISIONS
She has arrived and has lain at the dock FOR
several days. Her captain has given us notice
that she must have her cargo discharged at once,
think he said within twenty-four hours
you wish. then to turn the cargo over to my
department? All right, | will take charge of 1t
at once"
"No. General. The purpose OF our visit Is TO
request that in view OF our restitution of labor
and beasts of burden. you would send a party
OF men from your department to unload the
cargo Of the steamer and three or four army
wagons transport the provisions TO the estab-
lishment prepared for their distribution. If you
will do this to-day shall be under great
He broke off in the middle of the sentence. The
easy flow OF his speech ceased as suddenly as
though he had been stricken dumb. The room
was so still that pn-fall would have been audi
BILE. Every one present knew that something was
about to happen for the black eyes Of the Cen
eral snapped with electric fire. Wrath. contempt
and indignation found plain expression in his
compressed lips and bronzed face. Then the
answer came as If it had been shot out of a cam
non:
You lazy. shiftless. worthless libels on the
human race he exclaimed Have you become
so degenerate that you need iackey to pull
in, tIo fpuo Xpnm
lost the little sense you had, or you would
never have come to me such an errand. DO
you know what you are asking? You. grown-up
white men, with arms and legs and muscles of
your own come here TO ask that soldiers wear
ing our uniform and shedding their blood for the
flag you have trampled under foot shall unload
and transport the provisions donated To you by
mistaken charity Of loyal Northern men. Your
application is insult to the soldiers Of this
army. which should make every man of you
blush If there is any shame left in your SOULS
The chairman somewhat COMPOUNDED. When
he again found his voice It was 10 say that they
had not come there TO be insulted. and If they
to understand that their application was re-
fused. they would Immediately lay their case be-
fore General Sherman.
That is a matter that does not interest me-
said General Beckwith. But before you go
have something further to say. | have had my
eye on that steamer for some days. | may want
her tomorrow | certainly shall want her when
this army moves. Now take notice. If her cargo
is not all out OF her by - o'clock tomorrow
morning my men will take possession and dis
tribute her cargo to men Of known loyalty black
and white You have your answer. Now 60 with
1t 10 General sherman"
The committee withdrew without taking any
formal leave. | suggested that they might mis-
represent him. and 50 make him trouble with his
commanding officer
You are not acquainted with this army" he
said when men have messed and fought TO-
geiher a have. the devil himself could not
breed mischief I'm IL. no. said he proudly. not
even among tn" hunners that follow in its rear
II you are I'm need Of little entertainment 20
over t. General Shermans quarters ana near
what that Micdwber has to say. would g
with you. but | positively cannot spare the
time"
have given the substance OF this interview.
and in general its words with fidelity 10 truth;
hut must frankly admit that have snoothed
over some Of it's rough places, and nave omitted
some 81 its hard words. They did not impress
me at the time profane. and Beckwith was
not a profanc man. H. as human experience
shows there are occasions when rough words are
cxcusablc. this certainly was one Of them. do
not believe they entered To- Beckwith's discredit
in the books II the recording angel
He called an orderly who plotted me by a way
through the rear u the buildings to Shernans
headuuariers on the opposite side OF the block.
and / was seated in the Generals office before
the arrival u the committee. sherman was a
busy man. but. ike stanton. the great War
Secretary. he was accessible To everybody Inc
men i'm uniform. however faded. had the first
right u way To- him. They had acquired his
brevlty Of speech. and II was marvellous 10 hear
them condensc an important report into So Few
words when they were disposed u civilians
took their turn Many II them never got half
through their well-studisd Introduction. The
moment II was apparent that their errands con-
ccrned trade their visit came to an abrupt end
II they demonstrated or argued they were sat
upon mercilessly. once or twice ! saw sp"cu-
lator in cotton who persisted At motion OF
the Generals hand. "mallter manus imposuit
was illustrated by two orderlies and the VISITOR
was civilly lmpclled through the exit There was
another class with whom ne was very GENT.
They wer. the wives and mothers VINO sought
passes through the lines TO their SICK ana
wounded husbands and sons. He listened to
them patiently. and when. as almost always. ne
refused their requests. II was with Il t'n"'r N"'Vc
and quivering lip.
TT is dreadfully cruel" said lady with white
hair and venerable aspect, that cannot see my
only son who is wounded and dying
Yes. dear lady" he replied. ut IL dreadfully
cruel | know: but all are dreadfu.ly cruel.
and we can only hope that this one Wild speedily
come TO an end Until IT does the innocent must
suffer with the guilty. for can no more change
the laws of than can change the laws OF
Nature"
The General was addressing a few words OF
kindness To this disappointed lady when. without
inqulring whether he could receive them. the
committee abruptly entered the room. Inc char-
seemed greatly pulleu up III MS "'s.S "'''''
by his late interview with Beckwith. ne oes"'l
a most florid Introduction TO ms business 81
which the high position ~ the committee ana
their respect for General Sherman were the bur
den. 80 . =, ~,
Yes. yes" said the General. omit all that.
You want something. What Is IT.?
I'VE have come to you. General to complain
~ ono Of vour subordnates We have been IN
suited sir grossly insulted by one OF your
subordinates We wish to have him punished.
sir. our self-respect demands it, Such an OIL
Ger Is unfit
nv time Who Is the officer? What has he
done? Come to the point,
The officer. General. Is General Beckwith' ana
the indignity | will explain. We went To MN
with "A request for detail OF some OF his men To
discharge the cargo Of the steamship when
brought the fresh provisions from New orh
(ytv and some wagons to take them to the store
80 - With insult and