The Portland daily press., 1897-05-10

Thomas.
Boston, May S.-The Massachusetts,
club entertained Major General Oliver
o. Howard of Brattleboro, VT, ''the
last Of the great commanders, at the
hotel Brunswick this afternoon. The
banquet of the club was served at
O'Clock. Hon. A. W. Beard presided.
After the banquet Gen. Howard deliv-
cred an address on Grant and His Gen
erals.''
GENERAL Howard closed his eloquent
tribute to Gen. Grants career with the
following interesting "reminiscences. He
mad been speaking of Gen. Grant, Gen.
sherman and Gen. Thomas.
LII was pleasure to be under Thomas.
Ills smile of welcome was pleasant and
cordial. When I went from him into
BATTLE, his words of confidence drew
toward him my whole heart If l sue
ceeded, ne commended me without stint.
Ii my attack failed, he quickly saw the
cause and never, as did some others, put
the blame upon me to shield himself.
When the blacks came near him. he be-
friended them. He often gave the escap-
ing slaves free protection papers and sent
them North. He was habimally kind
and gentle, and eminently Just. His
horse, the mules around him and the cat
that followed him, purring at his feet, re-
celyed unfalllng marks of his gentle soul.
Lee had numerous friends; Stonewall
jackson had his large following those
who loved and cherished his memory; but
Virginia did not furnish through the en-
tire war better general or a greater man
than George H. Thomas.
sherman, too, has his own peculiar
photograph: The Mississippi campaigns,
Including Corinth and Vicksburg. which
gave Grant his groundwork of national
fame. ever needed and had the friendship
ike that OF Jonathan to David, of Sher-
man to Grant. Sherman bore any part,
however obscure, and gave the most I'M
selnsh ana untlring supportrto his noble
chief. No wonder Grant loved him.
At the Cheatham House in Nashville,
the 18th of March, 1864, Grant and Sher-
man met. Grant had just been to Wash
lngton and put on his new crown of Gen
eral-ln-Chief. Now, behold these two men
together-Grant of medium size, short
neck, square shoulders, well proportional
head and firmly knit frame. His smile
lighted up his face, bespoke humor and
good-fellOwship, and to Sherman the
utmost friendliness. Sherman appeared
tall beside him; his forehead two stories
high, his hair light and sandy, his eye
Keen and piercing, and his frame, though
not SO compact, supple and expressive of
health and energy. Grant inspired you
IN his Wilderness, like fertile prairie
sherman, like billy country, Astounding
IN choice knobs and mountain heights
His buoyant coming put one at ease. His
deep, pleasant voice riveted attention
and his fast-howing sentences rewarded
your silence. There at Nashville they
met, and Grant turned over to Sherman
the three Western armies, and then set
out again for Washington. Sherman
went with him as far as Cincinnati This
is sherman S summary of that moving
railway council of war: Amidst con-
slant Interruptions of business and
social nature we reached the satisfactory
conclusion that as soon as the season
would permit, all the armies of the Union
would assume the bold offensive by CON
centric lines on the common enemy, and
would finish up the job in single cam
palgn, II possible. +" Then they parted
sherman to endure the tolls, the Thought,
the hopes, the plans, the buffetings of
rivals and enemies. He ever showed q
loyal devotion to duty and to country;
and in the wars consummate achievements
the figure of Sherman ever doomed I'D re-
splendent with genius.
''On Wednesday, March %, 1885, with a
friend in Brooklyn, Ireceiyed a note from
Col. E. d. Grant, saying that his father
in New York city would be glad to see
me at any time when he could see any
one. About the middle Of the day was gen
orally his best time-between II and 3 D.
m. The next day, Thursday, at half past
one, my brother and myself appeared at
the Generals house on Sixty sixth street.
A servant showed us into little recep-
ton room to the right of the main hail.
| was afraid of too much company when
| saw the numerous coats and hats lodged
in the corners and on the chairs, but in a
moment Col. Grant appeared and gave us
warm welcome. My brother tn ought it
not best for him to see the General, and
Col. Grant led the way for me. At the
foot of the stairs he said, Father wished
me to apprise you of his inability to talk;
so, owing to his trouble you must do the
talking
'sThe Colonel left me at the door of his
fathers room. 1t was in front on the
south side. The General was alone.
though through the open doors l could
see members of the family and friends on
the same floor within call. He reclined
on his favorite chair opposite the hall
door. The chair seemed like the ordinary
sea chair covered. His feet rested upon
the extension and his head leaned against
the high part ''How do you do, GEN
eral"? he said, as he turned his face
toward me and extended his right hand.
took his hand, and, needing Col.
Grants warning, began to talk. L tried
to express my thanks for the interview,
and my deep sympathy for him in his
affection
During our conversation, Gen. Grant
was cheerful and patient, but now and
then he changed the place of his head
quickly as if in pain, and this motion
warned me. 1 rose and said that 1 must
not stay too long, for l would not weary
him, or add to his sufferings. | declared
at parting: ooh, General, how much
wish L could do something to help you.
But you can always command me; if it
should occur to you that / could do any
thing / then asked, doubtless with some
show of emotion, as l held his hand
Is there anything, General?' He an
swered slowly and very kindly, Nothing
more, Gen. Howard, nothing besides what
you have been doing
g 'Good-by, Gen. Grant; may God bless
YOU
g Thank you Good-by.'
''The General had the same complete
self possession as always, was cheerful
without lisp of impotence or complaint
under his affection. His was the sub
q