The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1897-02-06
Mechanics Of Generals

The nomenclature of the army was
particularly rich in descriptive IT,
ties, and study of the men upon
whom these names were bestowed
will discover the fact that very few
of them were ill-advised or mis-
placed.
General Ulysses Simpson Grant
was at first called "Old Uaited
States from the initials of his name
After the little episode at Fort Don
aldson, when he issued the edict
which stamped him as equal to the
emergency, his men enthusiastically
declared that those initials stood
for Unconditional Surrender"
In fact, these initials caused him
not title perturbation of mind
and in the end he actually had to
abandon his baptismal name to save
the dignity of West Point, which
unwittingly gave him name that
didn't belong to him, but since it
was writ down. the red-tape com
plications involved in restoring his
name presented formidable obstacles
which he hesitated to tackle. Many
of his men called him "OId Three
Stars indicating his rank as lieu
tenant general.
General William Il. Sherman was
Familiarity called Uncle Billy by
his men, and also "Old Teeumseh.'
General George B. Mcclellan, who
was a prime favorite with his mer,
became endeared to them as Little
Mac"
General George G. Meade wore
glasses and was speedily dubbed
"Four-E Eyed George" from that and
from the fact that he was keen and
quick and very little escaped his OBJ
servation. The title was one of
which he was proud, or he knew it
was not designed to cut two ways.
General Ambrose f. Burnside,
who relieved Mcclellan as command
er of the Army of the Potomac, was
at first colonel of the First Rhode
Island, but when he came to the dig
nifty of general he was titled
"Rhody". Incidentally it may be
stated that General Burnside also
gave name to the particular cut of
"burnsides' so much in vogue few
years since.
General Joseph f. Hooker got the
sobriquet Fighting joe which he
hated heartily.
The McCook family were well rep
resented in the war of the rebellion,
and the members were generally
sbunched" as the Sighting Nc
Cooks" General Alexander McCook
had as one of his staff officers Adju-
tant- General Dan McCook of Him
OILS. Other members of the family
were Captain Edwin McCook, who
belonged to Logan's regiment;
Lieutenant Edward McCook, who
was in the regular army; Major An
son G.. McCook, of the Second Ohio;
Captain Henry McCook of Illinois,
and Sheldon McCook, lieutenant in
the navy. They bore themselves
bravely, and won the title. Eight
ing McCooks.'
General John Pope was called
"Saddlebag John" When he first
took command of the army of Vir.
ginia he found everything in confu
sion, which he set to work to
straighten out. When asked where
his headquarters were he replied
Sin the saddle"
General Winfield S. Hancock was
known as Hancock the Superb"
name given him by General
Meade after the magnificent manner
in which he repulsed Longstreet at
Gettysburg.
General Andrew A. Humphreys
who was distinguished engineer,
was styled "Old Mathematics"
General John A. Logan had sew
eral titles. One was BLACK Jack"
because of his tawney complexion
and long black hair He was also
called "Old War Eagle" and the
sBlack Eagle of Illinois"
General Phillip Sheridan, whose
stature was far from commensurate
with his ability and brain, was
greatly beloved by his men, and was
called by them Little Phil"
General Albert Sykes was "Syke-
sy" among his men.
General Henry w. Halleck was
nicknamed "Old Brains
General William S. Rosecrans was
speedily dubbed Rosy"
General Phillip Kearney left an
arm in Mexico, and was known
among his men as Zone Armed
Phil"
General Benjaman F. Butler, be-
cause of his peculiar dropping eye
lids, was called "Old Cock-Eye.'
General Judson G. Fitzpatrick was
known as "Kill," an Authorization of
his last name.
Dashing General George Custer
because of his long yellow curls,
was known as "Ringlets,
General George H. Thomas was
Familiarity known among his men as
Pap Thomas" After the battle Of
Chickamauga he was given as q