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


vasion, magnifed the strength and
prowess of the south until he was set
down in Washington as crazy and never,
up to the very last, fell in with the
spirit Of the times upon the slavery
question. His opinion of the public men
of his time was shown in letter writ
ten to Grant just at the close of the war
begging him to get away from the bad
influences of Washington life. He be-
lieved to the last that the services of
the soldiery had not been rewarded,
that the republic was ungrateful, and
upon one occasion, when foreign war
was talked of, declared that ingratitude
had stifled patriotism and men of sense
would run away to Canada rather than
risk life and limb for thankless people.
Sherman's Strength of Character.
Great strength Of character was nee
essary to sustain in high position a
man who was so directly in face of the
current. Strength of character Sherman
had, and his honesty of purpose made
up for what seemed erraticism in his
conduct Grant, whose military career
must be called up in considering that of
Sherman, was noted for his stubborn
ness. Possibly he admired Sherman for
his persistence in his own views. In
Grant Sherman found his most service
able wartime friend. The question has
been raised recently as to whether
Grant or Sherman devised the march to
the sea, Sherman's friends feeling ag-
grieved that credit for the achievement
should be taken from the hero whose
name has been SO long associated with
ft in history, in art and in song. How
ever, the fortunes of these two soldiers
were so closely identified at the period
when there was little choice between
their prospects that it is impossible to
draw the line at any important point
and say that either could have made his
way without the other.
Turning Point In His Career.
! Unquestionably Sherman promotion
at critical period was due to Grants
intimate knowledge of him and an ap-
preciation not shared in Washington.
The turning point for Sherman was
when Grant selected him to virtually
shat had been victorious at Vicksburg
Grant was called to the head Of that
splendid army which was steadily forg-
ing its way toward the heart Of Georgia
and had already taken the key to the
west, Chattanooga.
! Thomas, who had never lost battle
and never met with reverse, was in ac-
tive command Of the forces at Ohatta-
nooga He ranked Sherman as major
general, but while Hooker, who had a
splendid reputation as fighter and had
commanded the Army Of the Potomac,
was assigned to service under Thomas
when he marched with new troops to
the relief of Chattanooga, Sherman was
brought up with an independent COM
mand. In explanation Of this Grant said
that Sherman's services up to that time
had demonstrated his fitness for inde-
pendent command He was given the
Army Of the Tennessee, which was to
divide with the Army of the Cumber-
land in its own field the honors Of the
campaign. In point Of fact Sherman up
TO that time had been corps commander
simply and in the vicksburg campaign
had performed the same services as Nc
Pherson and McClernand. Upon two
occasions he had exercised Independent
command and had failed, though
ythrough no fault Of his own. Still ne
had failed. It has been said by soldiers
who watched Sherman's career that he
never gained anything by aggressive
A0htinQ and it il difficult Tn criticise
that statement. Both HaIleck and
Grant, the general in chief and the an-
tive commander of the army at Shiloh,