The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-03-07
HoNoRING GEN. scHoFIELD

/
Comrades OF the Army OF the Ohio Con
graduate their Old Commander Upon Hi
| Promotion.
| The following correspondence is self-e1
planatory. 1t will convey to the 10000 troops
embracing the Army Of the Ohio, mainly
fram the States of ohio, Indiana, Michigan
| Illinois, Kentucky, and East Tennessee, the
| hearty sentiments Of their old commander
and recall their own experiences with him
"while marching through Georgia" and
| other fields of conflict:
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Feb. %, 1895
Lieut.. Gen. ]. M. SCHoFIELD, General-in.
| Chief o. S. Army. Washington, d. G.
| CoMRADE: On this 163d natal day of him
who was 81 first in war, first in peace, and
| first in the hearts of his countrymen," the
Executive Committee and other comrades OF
the Army OF the Ohio in Washington who
| served under your direction during the late
war, respectfully beg to extend to you their
sincerest and heartiest congratulations that
the rank OF Lieutenant-General has been
lately conferred upon you, their old and
revered commander. To hold military rank
and position possessed by Washington, Scott,
Grant, Sherman and Sheridan is no mean
or insignificant honor. Such is your happy
and worthy lot.
Nearly third of century has elapsed
since you assumed command of the Army
of the Ohio in East Tennessee during the
cold Winter of 1863, "a The hair which
upon your head and upon theirs was dark
then has become frosted with age; but these
comrades remember wildly the exposures
and trials and deprivations of that compaign
in behalf of the redemption of the loyal
hearts in that Switzerland of America-suf-
ferlng and severity only equaled but not ex-
celled by its sole competitor, Valley Forge.
They recall the marching from Strawberry
Plains through Knoxville and Cleveland to
Dalton, Ga, to take position with Sherman's
forces in the famous Atlanta campaign, and
the subsequent engagements which marked
the stubborn resistance of the Confederate
army's retreat under their skillful COM
mander, Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, to Atlanta.
They recall the dangers and anxiety which
attended the daring movement of the Con-
federate army under its new and courageous
commander, Gen. Hood, into Sherman's rear,
and later invasion of Middle Tennessee.
They recount the CONSERVATION which swept
over the entire North when it became known
that Gen. Sherman, with two-thirds of his
army WIS IAoNlug iTOm AIlauta 10 tue SCta,
while but One-third was left in the rear to
cope with the entire army which had 80
stubbornly resisted his aggressive movements
during the campaign from Chattanooga to
Atlanta. They recall the increased activity
felt everywhere when it was known that
Hoods army had reached Columbia, Tenn,
and was confronted by you with only about
one-third his force. They remember vivid
lv the which afYapdaI ha npriInna
retreat from Columbia to Franklin, where,
on the south bank of the Harpeth River, on
Nov. 80, 1864, was fought one of the most
desperate battles of the war.
They recall that the army engaged on the
Union side, consisting of the Twenty-third
Corps and a part of the Fourth Corps less
than $4,000 men all told, repulsed the des-
perate and continued o8sets of Hoods entire
army, more than 10000 veterans of undoubt-
ed courage and tried skill in war. They
recall that these gallant Union forces under
your direction at Franklin, broke the back
bone Of the rebellion intthe West, and made
the subsequent overthrow and utter destruc-
ton Of Hoods army in the battle Of Nash
vile, Dec. Is and Us, matter of compare
tive ease, giving assurance to the people of
the Nation that Hoods boosted invasion of
Northern territory was completely check
mated.
They recall the transfer of the Twenty
third Corps to North Carolina to aid their
old comrades in completing the overthrow
of the rebellion in that region, and the sub
sequent march to and review in Washington,
together with the return of the members to
the vocations of civil life. They remember
with satisfaction that while prominent mill
tary men have been deeply solicitous as to
their position "on Fames eternal camping
ground" you have never rushed into print
to secure for yourself honors claimed by
others, but have modestly and discreetly
left to impartial history to assign you a just
but honorable place in the list Of the Ma
TONS faithful and successful defenders in
the hour of extreme peril.
You will, it is believed, permit your COM
rades Of the Army of the Ohio not only to
rejoice in this recognition of true merit,
but to express the hope that you may live
many years to enjoy the honor and the
blessings of that benefcient Government
which you and your comrades strove to per-
petuate.
Fraternally,
STANTON WEAVER, President;
]. FRAIsE RICHARD, Secretary;
r. A. Raglan,
J. F. STEWART,
w. j. HERBERT HOGAN,