The National tribune., 1902-06-05

ngton in I'D q II days.
cannot foSbeaT inserting at this point
two private letters that passed between
these two great men, great in their ability
and achievements AID great in the sin
cerity and devotion of their friendship.
On March 3, 1864, Gen. Grant wrote as
follows:
Dear Sherman: The bill reviving the
grade of LieutenantGenerali in the Army
has become Jaw. and my name has been
sent to the Senate for the place. | now
receive orders to report to Washington
Immediately, in person. which indicates q
confirmation or likelihood Of confrma-
ton. l start in the morning to comply
with the order.
Whilst I have been eminently succcss-
ful in this war, in at least gaining the
confidence of the public. no one feels more
| than l how much of this success is due
to the energy. skill and the harmonious
putting forth of that energy and skill Of
| those whom it has been NV good fortune
| TO have occupying subordinate positions
under me.
"Therc are many officers to whom these
remarks are applicable to q greater or less
degree. propOrtiOnate to their ability as
soldiers: but what want is to express my
thanks TO you and Mcpherson. as the men
| to whom. above all others. I feel indebted
for whatever l have had of success
How far your advice and assistance
have been of help to me you know. How
far your execution OF whatever has been
given to you to do. entitled you to the re-
ward l am receiving, you cannot know as
well rs |.
Il feel all the gratitude this letter would
express. giving it the most fattering con-
struct;on.
''The word you use in the plural. in
tending it for Mcpherson also. should
write to him and will some day. bnt start
ing in the morning. do not know that
will find time Just now. Your friend
Gen. sherman replied March TO- from
near Memphis, in the following letter:
Dear General: have your more than
kind and Characteristic letter of the 4th
Instant. I will send copy to Gen. Nc
PhcrsOn ut once.
''you do yourself injustice and us too
much honor in assigning to us too large n
share of the merits which have led to
yGur high achievement. l know you ap-
prove the friendship have ever profcssed
to yon. and will permit me to continue. as
heretofore, to manifest it on all proper Oc-
casinrs.
'You are now Washington's legitimate
successor. and occupy q position of almost
dangerous elevation. but if you can con-
tinuc as heretofore. to he yourself. simple.
honest and unprctending, you will enjoy
through life the respect and love Of
friends and the homage of millions OF hui
man beings that will award you Il large
share in securing to them and their de-
sccndants a government of law and sta
bilitv.
II repeat. you do Gen Mcpherson and
myself too much honor. At Belmont You
manifested your traits-neither of us be-
ing near. At Donelson. also. YOU Illus
trated yOur whole character. l was not
near. and Gen. Mcpherson in too subordi
nate capacity to influence you.
Until you had won Dnnelson confess
| was almost cowed by the. terrible array
of anarchiaI clements that presented
themselves at every roint but that admit
ted ray of hghtsI have followed since.
I believe youIhre ms brave. natriotic and
just as the gHiat TTototy,.e Washington
as unScliiSh kind hearted and honest as n
man should be-: but the chief characteris-
tie is the simple faith III success you have
always manifested. which l can liken to
nothing else than the faith Christian has
in the SayiouT. =.
and Nicksburs. Also. when you have com-
nleted your best Preparations. yon go into
battle without hesitation. as at Chatta-
nonga-nO lOUbts--no reserves. and tell
you il was this that made US act with
confidence. l kpeY wherever | was that
you thought of me- and if ! got in Il tight
place you would help me out. if alive.
knowledge of grand strategy and of books
of science and history: but l confess your
common sense seems to have supplied all
these.
Now. as to the future Don't stay in
Washington. Come West: take to your
self the whole Mississippi Valley. Let MS
make it dead sure-ard tell you. the At
lantic slopes and Pacific shores will follow
its destiny. as snre as the limbs of tree
live or die with the main trunk. We
have done much, but still much remains
Time and times influences are with u.s.
We could almost afford to sit still and let
these influences work.
Here lies the seat Of the coming en-
pirc: and from the West. when our task is
done. we will make short work Of Charles
ton and Richmond and the impoverished
coast of the Atlantic. Your sincere
friend
On March Gen. Grant arrived at the
National Capital. He had never met Pres
ident Lincoln. and met Secretary Stanton
for the first time the previous October.
On March o. at ] o'clock. Gen. Grant
was received by the President in the pres
ence of the Cabinet. After an introduc-
tion all around by Gen. Halleck. FRESH
dent Lincoln said:
General Grant: The Nations apprecia-
tiOn of what you have done and its re-
lance upon you for what remains TO be
done IN the existing great struggle are
now presented with this commission con-
shutting you aforementioned IN the
Army of the United States. With this
high honor devOlves upOn you also n cor
responding responsibility. AS the country
herein trusts you, so under God it will sIs-
tain you. scarcely need to add that with
what I here speak for the Nation goes my
own hearty personal concurrence"
Gen. Grant read from paper the fol-
lowing reply:
"Mr President: accept the commission
with gratitude for the high honor con-
ferred With the aid of the noble armies
that have fought in 81 many fields for our
common country il will be my earnest en-
dcavor not to disappOint your cxpecta-
tons. | feel the full weight Of the re-
sponsibilities now dcvolving on me. and l
know that if they are met it will be due
to those armies and above all to the favor
of that Providence which leads both Ma
tons and men,"
tTO be cOntinucdD