The National tribune., 1902-02-27

had previously been asked to prepare it
but was compelled to decline owing to the
pressure of professional engagements.
The last time | saw the General, but q
few weeks before his death. of which he
seemed to have some premonition, he spoke
about the affairs of the Society of the
Army of the Tennessee. Sherman had
been for many years the President and
IN its prosperity he always displayed a
very deep interest. From that topic he
turned TO the delay in completing Grants
tomb, concluding in his quick, decided
way: Wilson, remember / do not want
the hat passed around for me when | am
gone. m to be buried by the side of my
wife and son in st. Louis, and my monu-
ment IS provided for. All you have to do
is to see me placed under it" But" !
replied. THE Army of the Tennessee will
certainly wish to erect an equestrian
statue of you in Washington or elsewhere,
and your many friends in this great city
VIII, OF course, set up another in New
York" "Oh, well, l have no objections,
If they desire to honor my memory in that
manner, but i can take care Of my own
tomb" 0t may be stated that both
statues are almost completed for the cities
mentioned.l As | was leaving he gave me
his portrait, saying, Perhaps you will
value this when | am gone" Tive weeks
later looked ON the illustrious soldier
as he lay in his coffin in full uniform,
looking shade thinner in face and form,
but otherwise unchanged and natural os
in life.
In personnel Gen. Sherman bore fam
lily resemblance to his younger brother. the
Senator He was six feet in hight, and
without an ounce of superfuous flesh His
brow was high; he had an eye as keen as
a hawks, and a long aquiline nose as
good in its way as We!lingtOn's. His full
face, bristling with the short-cropped
sandy mustache and beard, was military
without being savage. In conversation he
was direct and comprehensive. in short,
an admirable and exceedingly rapid talker.
During the war his officers had easy ac-
cess TO him, and to the soldiers, who called
him Uncle Billy" he always gave a kind
ly greeting. Perhaps no prominent General
IN the Northern armies possessed to a
greater degree the confidence and love Of
ms men Simple in his tastes, he required
no tram for the transportation Of his per-
sonal baggage. When asked by n young
officer what baggage he purposcd carry
ing on one of his campaigns in the Missis-
sippi Valley, he replied, 81 shall take n
comb and q toothbrush Several years
later Sherman said to the writer, with
whom he had been speaking of the contro-
Nersy over the originator Of the famous
march to the sea, 'Well, Wilson. as the
c"iored brother remarked, DE question
bcfo' de club, breddren. amt so much who
hrst proposed lie march to de sea, as who
marched it, ,"
If to be brave and highly educated: TO
be thoroughly loyal and Of unblemished
private character; to be always ready with
voice, pen and sword; interchangeable on the
raarch, omnipresent in battle, relentless in
pursuit; to be the author of combinations
exhibiting a strategetical ability unsur-
passed by any soldier of fhe mast
century; TO receive the lavish and unqual-
fled eulogium Of Grant, and to have beer
more dreaded by the enemy than any other
OF the Northern Generals, not excepting
the one who commanded them all: if to he
all this makes great captain, then his
tory Will award that rank to William t.
cnmseh Sherman, and will assign him n
prominent place in the Temple of Mill
tpry fame. With Washington, Lincoln,
and Grant, Sherman deserves tha inner
ishable gratitude of his countrymen ana
their posterity for all time