The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1896-08-06
ABRAHAM LINCOLN,
He Was Well Liked In the Confederate
Army.

army. Inc average soiuler rose ABOVE
prejudice. and for him even the humblest
private never had harsh word. During
an experience Of the whole four years.
from Camp Trousdale to Appamattox.
not one word of reproach did I ever
hear against the Federal President. I
remember at Appamattox while suffering
with a severe wound after the summer
one afternoon, the news spread rapidly
that Mr.. Lincoln had been assassinated
the night before. Nothing but sorrow
and disappointment was depicted on
every countenance when Lee sheathed
his sword. and "the warriors banner
took It's flight to greet the warriors soul"
We looked to the Federal executive as
the great wall of fire which stood be-
tween US and our enemies. Andrew
Johnson's course as military Governor Of
Tennessee hung over us like great
| black pail. betokening evil to US In our
then Inundated condition. think am
safe In saying that for the twenty-four
hours succeeding the news not less than
100 Of those who could, hobbled to my
bedside with about the same anxious
inquiry: "You are Tennessean-what
do you know Of Johnson and what do
you think will be his policy toward us?"
His war record staring me in the face
at that time. could offer but little con-
ISOLATION. What Johnson's course was
afterward in his great fight for the DEM
ocratic nomination, up to that time there
was little to encourage the Johnnie Reb
The visions Of the great and good
Philip s. Fall, John B. McFerrln and
others Of blessed memory languishing in
prison cells because they would not pray
against their neighbor boys and their
own convictions was like Banquo's
ghost.
The universal remark Of the ex-Con-
federates was a wish that Mr.. Lincoln
could have lived.
Hon. George B. Guild relates that
when the news reached his camp in the
woods of North Carolina he never saw
sadder looking men and nothing but
regret was felt.
During the reconstruction period after
the war no man ever heard an ex-Con-
federate speak of Mr.. Lincoln disre-
spectfully.
1t may be equally astonishing that q
number Of distinguished Federal Gen.
erals were held in great esteem by the
Southern soldiery.
During the long drawn Hammer and
Rapier battle between Lee and Grant
from Germania Ford where Gram
crossed the Rapid Ann River into thu
wilderness to where the sun Of the Con
federacy went down at Appamattox,
did not hear an uncomplimentary WORD
! spoken Of Gen. Grant. His terms Il
Lee were generous and when election
day came on between Grant and Greeley
many old Rebs quietly voted for Grant
McClelland was also popular with Lee'l
army. Rosecrans, Buel and Schofielt
also had warm place in the heart
, of Lee and Bragg's men.
While the Southern troops were al
most enthusiastic over Hancock, reall,
believe had Gen. H. gone through Lee
army he would have had an ovation.
: After Gettysburg Lees men spoke o
\ him as grand man and although h
drove us back our men were enthusiast
over his grand military bearing.
But to this day II you want to Sc
dark cloud encircle the brow Of a
old gray veteran, and language use
!, freely not at all consistent with tn
Sunday"school catechism, just mentio
the. names Of Sherman and Sheridan
They will never forget the crueltles in
, flicted on defenseless women and chi
a dren by Sherman on his celebrate
march to the sea-" His organized bun
d mers whose only business was to murds
and steal. His forty mile wide trac
filled with only smoking ruins an
standing chimneys as monuments to h
is matchless powers in marching 1000
well armed men through a country wit
d nothing to oppose him but Wheeler
5000 cavalry. When Sheridan swept til
beautiful valley of the Shenandoah viii
fire he passed all the bounds Of civilize
p. warfare. His Infamous boast that whe
he left that valley he would have It
poor that crow passing over mu
carry his rations received the severe
condemnation from civilian nations al
was more the act Of barbarian than q
enlightened American. Cruelty seem
y to be a part of his nature and the high
lines Of warfare on which Grar
Meade, Burnside, McClelland, Ros
Grams, Buel and others acted were u
= known to him. Had he undertaken
:, enact the role Of either Of the gre
Christian heroes of the Federal armi
:. above mentioned his name would ha
: been Dennis. He did not have the abili
to move on their high plane, but co
"a Quoted war on his own brutal ideas al
his success was entirely along the
:. lines. FS. II