The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-02-10

declared in 30 many words that Sherman
saved the day ON that field. On the
other hand, 1t is an unsettled question
as to whether Sherman did not jeop-
ardize the army ON the first day and
simply do his duty ON the second day.
He attempted to take Vicksburg over
land in 1862 and lost heavily in hope
less fight at Chickasaw Bluffs. At
Vicksburg the work Of his troops was
that Of the average, and his attempt to
dispose of Joseph E. Johnston's army in
the rear Of Vicksburg after the surrender
also failed, but not without some heavy
losses.
The March to the sea.
On the other hand, Thomas was
crowned with fresh honors from Chick
amauga and had won the place given
him at the head Of the main force which
was to carry the war beyond the Ten
nessee. But Sherman's fortunes did not
stop with his elevation to the command
of the Vicksburg army. He fought side
by side with Thomas and Hooker and
made no brilliant stroke at Chattanooga,
yet when Grant was called to the com.
mand Of all the armies of the republic
Sherman stepped into his shoes at the
head Of tho military division of the Mis-.
sissippi. There were then two men on
horseback with armies behind them des-
tined to crush the life out Of the Con-
federacy-Grant in the east and Sher-
man in the west. From that time on the
army and the nation dropped from mind
the Rock Of fChickamauga" and thought
only of the new man Of destiny who
was to cut the Confederacy in two by
driving home the wedge which Thomas
had set.
Then it was that Sherman repaid his
chieftain for the fidelity Of friendship
and his professional confidence He went
ahead and took Atlanta, fortunate in
having first retreating opponent and
then reckless one to cope with The
fall of Atlanta just Mt the time it came
was godsend to the nation and espe-
cially to Grant, who was himself on
trial and passing under cloud owing
to the enormous slaughter suffered by
his armies in the campaign from the
Wilderness to James river.
1t is easy to speculate as to how the
war might have been ended, viewed as
military problem, and to say that the
march to the sea and through the Caro-
linas was useless spectacular display.
War is not wholly a military problem.
Right or wrong, the country believed
that its fate hung with the fall Of Rich
mond and Petersburg, and after fouI
years of fighting the Army of Northern
| Virginia stood ward at the barrier, as
defiant when 1865 opened as in 1861.
| But its doom was sealed the moment
Sherman gave the order at Savannah to
march by the left flank up the coast in
the rear of Lee. The Federal armies at
, Petersburg and Richmond knew it and
had fresh access Of valorous confidence;
the people at the north knew it, and the
people and soldiery Of the south saw the
handwriting upon the wall.
Whether the march to the sea, the
| shifting of the burden of defending
Nashville upon Thomas, the exposure
of the northwest to invasion and the
| avoidance of battle with Hoods army
had to be or not, are questions to be dis
cussed ON the military side. but the fact
| army where it could do the most good
at the time it was wanted, and he rode
at Grants right hand upon the tri-
umphal entry into Washington when the
victory was celebrated, dividing with
the great captain the plaudits Of the
| grateful nation. The place awarded him
then in the hearts Of his grateful coun.
trymen he ever retained.
| Always tho Soldier.
Now, Sherman was a soldier and
nothing but soldier. Therefore as sol.
dier the future historian must review
him. Where shall the military critic
find in the campaigns Sherman con.
Quoted or in the decisive battles he
fought justification for the high place
he held in the army and in the regards
of the people? The promising campaigns
Sherman might have. made and didn't.
the decisive battles he might have
brought ON and would have won had the
inspiration Of battle been his, will sug.
gest themselves to every military mind
upon going over the record. Shall they
stop with saying that he fought battles
with and for others; that he made cam.
paigns which contributed to the success
of others? Then was he only a negative,
not a positive, force 1t is an anomaly
when man Of negative powers comes
to a deserved and speedy recognition
and reward. Sherman was q soldier OF
positive qualities working in field
where they were very necessary and
valuable, yet very unwelcome il pushed
too far. He was the ideal professional
man of arms, not the soldier Of fortune
otherwise he would have kept still and
fallen in with the views Of his superiors
to his own advantage. No; he was a
soldier devoted to the military art for
it's own sake. At least that is what the
war made out Of trained soldier whose
heart was not fired with the cause.
| His Breadth of Mind.