The National tribune., 1897-12-23
WAR DEPARTMENT.
ADJuTANT-GENERAL's OFFICE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 1884.

ADJUTANT-GENERALS OFFICE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 8, 1884. J
The following order of the President is
published TO the Army:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Feb. 8, 1884.
Gen. William T. Sherman, General of the
Army, having this day reached the age of "a
years is, in accordance with the law, placed
upon the Retired List of the Army, without
reduction in his current pay and allowances.
The announcement of the severance from
the command of the Army of one who
has been for so many years its dis
tinguished Chief, can but awaken in
the minds, not only of the Army, but of
the people of the United States. mingled
emotions of regret and gratitude-regret at
the withdrawal from active military service
of an officer whose lofty sense of duty has
been model for all soldiers since he first en-
tered the Army i'll July. 1910; and gratitude
freshly awakened, for the services of incalcu-
able value rendered by him in the war for
the Union, which his great military genius
and daring did SO much to end.
The President deems this fitting occa-
sion TO give expression in this manner to the
gratitude felt toward Gen. Sherman by his
fellow-citizens, and to the hope that Provi-
dence may grant him many years of health
and happiness in the relief from the active
duties Of his profession.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
BY order of the Secretary of War:
L. c. DRUM, Adjutant-General.
To which | replied:
ST. LOUIS, Feb 9. 1884.
His Excellency CHESTER a. ARTHUR Presi-
dent of the United States
DEAR SIR: Permit me with a soldiers
frankness to thank YOU personally for the
handsome compliment bestowed in General
Orders Of yesterday, which are reported in
the Journals Of the day TO me it was
surprise, and a most agreeable one / had
supposed the actual date of my retirement
would form a short paragraph in the common
series OF special orders of the War Depart
ment; but as the honored Executive of our
country has made it the occasion for his own
hand to pen tribute of respect and effec-
ton TO an officer passing from the active
stage OF life TO one OF ease and rest, [ can
only say | feel highly honored, and con-
gratulate myself in thus rounding ont
my record of service in a manner most
gratifying to my family and friends Not
only this, but | feel sure. when the orders of
yesterday arc read on parade to the regiments
and garrsons of the United States, many
OGHe HSIu Will tighten his DelI, ana resolve
anew to be brave and true to the starry flag,
which we Of our day have carried safely
through one epoch of danger, but which may
yet be subjected to other trials, which NAV
demand similar sacrifices equal fidelity and
courage and larger measure of intelligence
Again thanking you for so marked a compli-
ment, and reciprocating the kind wishes for
the future,
am, with profound respect, your friend
and servant,
W. T. SHERMAN, General
This | construe as the end of my
military career. In looking back upon
the past | can only say, with millions of
others, that | have done many things [
should not have done, and have left
nndone still more which ought TO have
been done; that | can see where hun
lreds of opportunities have been
but on the whole am content
and feel sure that | can travel this
broad country of ours, and be each night
he welcome guest in palace or cabin;
and, as
All the worlds stage
And all the men and women merely Players |
claim the privilege to ring down the |
curtain.
W. I. SHERMAN, General.