The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-11-04
RECOLLECTIONS OF LINCOLN.
The Late John Shcrman's Intercourse
with the War President.
From Published Volume.

FROM published Volume.
Abraham Lincoln, the President-elect, ar
rived in the city of Washington on the 29d
of February, 1861 and, with Mrs. Lincoln,
stopped at Wizards Hotel, where 1 was
then living. On the evening Of his arrival
l called upon him and met him for the first
time. When introduced to him he took my
hands in both of his. drew himself up to his
full height and, looking at me steadily,
said: You are John Sherman! Well, 1 am
taller than you; let's measure" Thereupon
we stood back to back, and some one pres
taller than I. This was correct. for he was
six feet three and one-half inches tall
when he stood erect This singular intro
duction was not unusual with him, but II
it lacked in dignity it was an expression of
friendliness and so considered by him. Our
brief conversation was cheerful, and my
hearty congratulations for his escape from
the Baltimore ''roughs" was received with
a laugh.
Salmon P. Chase, then senator, was APP
pointed secretary of the treasury. L know
with what doubt and reluctance he accepted
this office. On the eth OF March his resig-
nation as senator was communicated to the
Senate. In anticipation of ii the Legisla-
ture of Ohio was canvassing for his success
sor. My name was mentioned with many
others. I was in doubt whether ought to
be a candidate or even TO accept the po-
sition If rendered. / had been elected
member of the next Congress, and was
quite certain of election as speaker of the
House of Representatives. The Republic
ans had decided majority, and feeling
was manifest that l should have without
opposition the position of which had been
unjustly deprived by the previous House.
ypQ IN mo a nd honor L fhara-
fore did not follow the advice OF my friends
and go to Columbus.
A ballot was taken in the caucus of
Republican members of the General AS
sembly, and / received a plurality, but
not a majority. My name was then with
drawn Several ballots were taken on
number of days without result. l was
then telegraphed to come to Columbus.
/ went and was nominated on the first
vote after my arrival and promptly elected
senator.
1 had an interview with Mr. Lincoln
which may be of interest. L thought some
of his appointments in Ohio were not jul
oicious and concluded / would go to him
and make a general complaint of the dis
tribution of these offices. i requested an
interview with him, which was promptly
granted, and called at his Office one even
ing. He was seated in an easy-chair and
seemed to be in an excellent humor. L
proceeded to complain of some of his APP
pointments in Ohio, and as 1 progressed
the expression of his face gradually changed
a word, but sank in his chair, placing his
feet upon the table and looking. as l
thought, the picture of despair.
l proceeded with my complaint until
began to mentally reproach myself for
bothering the President of the United
States with SO unimportant a matter as
the choice of persons to fill local offices
in Ohio when the country was in the
throes of revolution. Finally / told him l
felt ashamed to disturb him with such
matters and would not bother him again
Wi he I'M
In his chair and his whole manner changed,
until finally he almost embraced me. He
then told me many interesting stories of
his short service in Congress and of the
men with whom he was brought in contact.
The close of the interview was very pleas
ant and l kept my promise to him about
his appointments.
During the entire war Washington was
a military camp. Almost every regiment
from the North on the way to the army
i'll Virginia stopped for time in Washing
ton. This was especially the case In 1861.
1t was usual for every new regiment to
march along Pennsylvania avenue to the
White House.
Among the early arrivals in the spring
Of 1861 was a regiment from New Hamp-
Western regiments. Ny colleague. Ben
Wade. and / went to the White House to
see this noted regiment pass in review
before Mr.. Lincoln. AS the head of the line
turned around the north wing of the Treas
ury Department and came in sight the eyes
of Wade fell upon tall soldier, wearing
a gaudy uniform, a very high hat and a
still higher cockade. He carried a baton,
which he swung right and left, up and
down, with all the authority of a field
marshal Wade, much excited, asked me,
pointing to the soldier: ''Who is that?' /
told him I thought that was the drum
major.
We'll" he said, 'if the people could see
him they would make him a general
So little was then known of military ar
ray by the wisest among our senator's.