The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-06
ANECDOTES OF SHERMAN.
Young WOmHn's Tribute to His Mill
tary Genius.
New York Tribune.

->cW
At an informal dinner of about a dozen
Grand Army comrades the other evening,
one who had served as captain under Cen
eral Sherman in the civil war remarked
that he had read with much interest the
incidents of Sherman at Shiloh published in
the Tribune last week. And then the con-
versation took the course of "reminiscences
of Sherman's march through Georgia"
One of the veterans related story in this
way:
Everybody who served under Sherman
as a commander must give him credit for
his strategy in thanking the rebels out of
their strong positions. Even young woman
of Georgia could not help observing his
military genius, and her remarks. were
amusing, to say the least. She told how
Sherman's army marched down through her
country, and how he detached his COM
manders to certain things. / think / can
recall her language, which was about like
this: 1T wasn't fair for Sherman to fight
the Southern soldiers on end Now, il was
right smart of General Bragg TO form two
streaks OF fight In our dooryard with walk
ing soldiers. and then he got General Joe
Wheeler to line up one streak OF fight with
critter soldiers (meaning cavalry behind
to whip the Yankees Sherman sent Joe
Hooker up, and he flanked Bragg and made
him fall back, which he did in such a hurry
that he upset dads ash hopper plant, which
cost $3.50 in Atlanta, and dad vows as how
he's agoin to Bragg for waste But
I'd like TO know where the Yanks get those
guns which they load on Sunday and fire
all the week
"I remember young Confederate prisoner
who was standing near the young woman,
evidently her best fellow. who responded
with this remark: why Sherman can DO
anything. He gets hill. fiops his wings
and crows: and then he yells out: "Atten-
ton, creation! BY kingdoms, right wheel,
march, And then we git
Another Of the veterans told a story OF
how General Sherman outwitted a so-called
British consul at Savannah. Upon arriving
in the city Sherman noticed a surprisingly
10 bor n "a nzip IN
many buildings and he became curious TO
know whether all Of the British consuls in
the Southern States had taken refuge in
Savannah. In the course Of his investiga-
ton he discovered that where the British
flags were displayed the buildings were
stored full Of cotton, and he at once ordered
IL to be seized. Then he returned TO his
headquarters and a little later a pompous
fellow rushed in in great haste and imperi-
ously demanded that his card be sent in TO
General Sherman. II am he" responded
the general. The visitor inflated himself
and then angrily charged that the Yankee
troops were removing his cotton from
building which was protected by the British
flag.
stop, sir; not your cotton, sir. but my
cotton, seized in the name Of the United
States government, SIR interrupted the
general. Il have noticed" he continued
that q great many buildings over which
the British flags were flying were filed with
cotton. and have seized it all in the name
Of my government"
But, sir" said the naughty visitor.
there is scarcely any cotton In Savannah
| that does not belong to me-"
There is not pound of cotton in Sa-
vannah, sir. that does not belong 10 me, for
the United States government" said the
general.
"Wel sir" said the visitor. again swell
ing himself with great indignation and red
| denng In his face, my government shall
| hear of this. / shall report you 90 my gov
eminent, sir, and you will be held re-
| sponsible.
''Ah. pray who are you. sir?" asked the
general.
II am consul to her British Majesty" was
/ the answer.
"Oh indeed. Please report IL. but bear in
| mind that / learned long ago that 1 had
/ such sympathiZers you TO fight in addi-
| ton 10 the rebels, and / have been hoping
| for orders for some time 10 take a run over
TO Nassau TO destroy that supply station
for the blockade runners.
! .'Indeedv' sarcastically responded the Wis
/ itor. And how would YOU propose To do
/ it?'
oh ! would take over few picks and
| shovels and throw the cursed sandbank into
the sea, sir: and then-well-good day, sir"