Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-08
ARMY OF TENNESSEE.
Its History Given by Gen. Granville
NJ Dodge

M. Dodge.
II came here tonight not to make a
speech. but to join my voice in the well
come to the capital of the Army Of the
Tennessee, and to say that 1 join I'm the
memory of It's great commanders who have
passed away. The virility and power that
came from the west cannot be forgotten
by the students of history. Today as truly
forty years ago, the spirit Of the Ten
nessee is bright and alive. You warriors
should feel happy to think that you have
lived to see the esitice you helped SO much
to build. You will pass from earth. but
your works never In closing i wish to
impress with what great regard. gratitude
and affection the people of today look upon
the Army of the Tennessee.
The above were the remarks of Secretary
of War Elihu Root at the reunion of the
Army Of the Tennessee. held last evening
in Grant Tent on the White Lot. MIR. Root
was introduced to the followers of Generals
Grant. Sherman. Howard and Logan by
Col. f. ID. Stephenson. president CT the re-
union committee, who delivered the address
of welcome to the comrades. after prayer
by Rev Howard Wilbur Ennis.
At the conclusion of the Secretarys re-
marks, Miss Charville Runals OF New York
sang Marching Through Georgia" the
veterans joining in the chorus. Several
times during the refrain Secretary'S Roots
feelings got the better OF him and he joined
in and kept time with his head. Gen. o. o.
Howard, who was on the program to make
the first address, was a little tardy. but
when he finally arrived the veterans over
looked that and gave him an enthusiastic
welcome
General Howard was then introduced to
the gathering although il was utterly un-
necessary. and he began his address on
The Army Of the Tennessee The speak
er recalled various incidents in the cam
paign of the army which inspired the vet
Grams into giving vent to their feelings.
OF each of the generals who command
the Army Of the Tennessee, speaking In eu-
logy of each AT the conclusion of General
Towards remarks the Modoc Club of Tope-
ka. Kan. sang The Flag of the Free" and
Cheer. Cheer"
General Granville NJ Dodge in his adj
dress said that the organization and
growth of the Army of the Tennessee had
been commenced under General Grant.
Tt added General Dodge. remained I'M
der his personal command, or as a unit OF
his great army, from the beginning until
the end of the war. except for two short
intervals, one after the great battle of Dom
elson and the other after the greater battle
of Shiloh. both of which he won. and gave
the first great light and hope to our coun-
try, and 1t is hard now. after reading all
the records. to understand the reasons for
his being relieved 1t appears to have been
done through a misunderstanding. and
with no intention of doing injustice to Cen
eral Grant"
He referred to the fact that General
Grant had been followed in command Of
the Army of the Tennessee by Generals
Sherman, Mcpherson. Logan and Howard
and said probably no other army I'm the
world had been 50 fortunate as always to
have at its head great soldiers and great
commanders, recognized as such the world
over.
Continuing. he said:
The Army Of the Tennessee covered
more ground in its campaign than all the
other armies combined, and all Its cam
n Wyara rEp6 nv a..
gle, battle or movement that challenged
the admiration Of the world. First came
Fort Donelson, next Vicksburg and fol-
lowing that Chattanooga, where it fought
on both tanks in that great battle. one d.
vision taking the point of Lookout noun
tain, above the clouds. Then came the At
lanta campaign; following that the stratege-
teal march to the sea, and. finally, that
bold movement from Savannah to Colds
boro', which is considered by the best
critics of the boldest and best
planned campaigns of history, one in which
every chance was taken and every oppor-
tunity given the enemy to concentrate upon
an inferior force.
1.-The record of this army Is probably the
most satisfactory of any that ever existed,
as it was harmonious in all it's parts. and
had jealousies, each of it's units to the
best of its ability helping the others.
Again, 1t modest: IT struck blow after
blow, and let the world sing its praises.
All its campaigns were great successes,
corps, division and brigade commanders
were exceptionally able men. and were sell
dom relieved except to assume more i'm
portant commands. Its experiences were
more varied than any other army. for its
campaigns, battles and marches. reaching
from the Missouri river to the Atlantic.
over a territory zoos miles long and 500
miles wide, 1t opened the Mississippi. 1t
forced it's way to tne sea, 1T was reviewed
by the government of the nation here In
this city, and 1t disbanded. and the men
went to their homes without causing an
unpleasant comment or painful thought
in all this broad land
General Dodge said that the Society Of
the Army of the Tennessee is endeavoring
to perpetuate its history and memories by
erecting in Washington monuments to the
memory of it's dead commanders, and in
this connection he referred with brief
sketches of each to Generals Mcpherson.
Rawlins and Logan, whose monuments al
ready adorn public squares, to General
Sherman to whose monument is nearly
complete and is to be unveiled on the White
Lot grounds next April or May and to
General Grant. to whom a monument will
be erected in the same grounds. Congress
this year having appropriated $250,O00 TOR
the purpose.
Other speakers were Colonel Asa A.
Mathews of the 18th Corps Colonel VIII
liam r. Warnock of the 18th Corps, Cen
eral John G. Black. General Green b. Raum
and Governor Bliss of Michigan. after
which Miss Runals sang Battle Hymn of
the Republic" The reunion was brought
to close by the sounding of taps.