New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-12
SIBERIAN ~ SAVANNAH.
FRANK L. STATIONS KINDLY REcoLLEcTIoNS
OF THE BRAVE SOLDIER.
From The Chicago Times-Herald.

OF THE BRAVE SOlsDlER.
From The Chicago Times Herald
Frank l.. Stanton, the popular Georgia poet,
always speaks up for General Sherman when
commanders methods.
The story told by Stanton has never found its
way into print, but il deserves n place among
the minor incidents and "reminiscences OF the
3 period.
When Savannah fell" said Stanton. II was
little chap about eight years old The con-
fusion and tunult in the streets frightened me,
and was afraid to so very far from the house.
Young as l was, l understood that some
thing very serious had occurred Instead OF
seeing Confederate soldiers paradng the streets
with few Federal prisoners. / sew thousands
Of Federas swarming through the town, and
they had great many Confederates under
guard.
The situation had been reversed: that was
plain. even to child.
My father was very Ill., in the last stages OF
consumption. and my mother worn out
with anxiety and the cares Of the household.
Our neighbors were panic-stricken and every
body seemed to be expecting some awful calam-
ity.
'Penned up there as we had been for a long
time, without supplies and without any money
except worthless Confederate currency, the out
look was gloomy enough. How was my sick
father to get the things he needed? That was
the problem with my mother.
Somebody told General Sherman about my
father and mentioned the fact that he was a
klnsman OF a very distinguished and powerful
officer on the Union side.
zone day when / entered my fathers room
found three Federal officers sitting there in
pleasant conversation with the invalid and my
mother.
II was scared and started to run. but one Of
the strangers a middle-aged man with rough
ly trimmed brown beard. called me back. He
asked my name. and before | knew Ii had me
on his knee. and he said many nice things
to me that took quite a fancy 10 him.
"IIe was General Sherman. and he had called
with two of his staff officers to see my father.
When the visitors left the General told my
mother at the door that he knew all about the
inconvenience Of siege. and insisted upon
sending from the army stores something that
would suit a sick man.
Under the circumstances such an offer could
not be declined. IL was a picnic for the chill
dren OF the family. | can tell you.
After that. while the General was in the
city something was sent to the house every
day. Brandy. wine loaf sugar. lemons. beer,
chickens. coffee, vegetables. and l don't know
what else. came in generous quantities We
had a plenty for the family and for our near
est neighbors
Nor was that all. The General sent one OF
the best physicians In the hospital service. and
the last days OF my father were made FAR more
comfortable than we had hoped for under the
adverse conditions Of those dark days.
General Sherman came to the house once
more before he left Savannah / cannot re-
member what ne said. but he was sympathetic,
and he said something about the pleasure II
gave him to aid a relative OF his distinguished
friend at Washington.
at that time / was very fond Of SNOWY
uniform. and IL vexed my childish mind 10 see
my friend the General always dressed so shah
billy His staff officers presented a better ap-
pearance, and some Of them were really gorgeous
in their spectacular RIG.
THE other boys and the negroes agreed with
me that the commander must be In very hard
luck or ne would certainly dress better. still.
I was then convinced that ne was wonder
fully wise man. With my pockets full OF his
loaf sugar which | had surreptitiously abb
stracted from the pantry, | would have been
ungrateful II had formed any other opinion.
SHERMAN left the city and marched onward
through the CarOlinas and that ended the war.
mo I never saw him again. My father died.
and lived in different places my work Keeping
me so busy that had no time TO think OF the
General or anybody else not connected with my
immediate business. | wish now that had
seen him before he passed away rs IL Is, l
can only recall him az he appeared to my boylsh
and wondering eyes. under circumstances which
did not give opportunity TO study him
No matter what may be SAID OF ms conduct IN
war | cannot help liking him. He was a GOOD
friend Just when we most needed one.