The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-05-26

confidence OF Grant and his staff. His posi-
ton, OF course, was a difficult one, but he
filled II with tact, ability and patriotism
to the end.
IN.
What wal Dana's estimate Of Grant as q
military man? The biographer repro
duoes the brief but just and comprehensive
portrait Of Grant which many yeara
after the Generals death was published
by Dana In McCiure's Magazine: Living
at headquarters Rs I did throughout the
siege Of Vioksburg, / soon became intimate
with Gen. Grant. not only knowing every
operation while it was still but an idea.
but studying it's execution on the spot.
Grant was an uncommon fellow-the most
modest, the most disinterested and the
most honest man I ever knew, with q temper
that nothing could disturb and q judg-
ment that was judicial in Its ~comprehsn-
siveness and wisdom Dan went on TO
describe Grant as mot a great man, except
morally; not an original or q brilliant man,
but sincere. thoughtful. deep, and gifted
with courage that never faltered; when the
time came to risk all, he went In Like .
simple hearted, unaffected, unpretendinR
hero, whom no Ill omens could deteot
and no triumph could unduly exalt.' Gen
Wilson declares that Notwithstanding tho
severe criticism which Dana directed against
Grant and the policies Of his Administra-
ton during his two terms az President.
he never varied from the above outlined
estimate Of Grants character as q soldier.
Nowhere and at no time did he Criticize hin
campaigns and battles or condemn his
methods Of command.
Rawlins, Grants Assistant Adtutant-
General, was regarded by Dana as q
OF the ablest men as well as "one OF the
most upright and genuine character
he ever came across" He did not hesitate
to cav that without Rawlins Grant would
not nave been the same man. The
b~ioRrapher's experience and observation
led him 10 a similar conclusion. "Tbe
sirnple fact is that the great character
which has passed into history under the
name of Grant was compounded OF both
Grant and Rawlins in nearly equal paris
OF William T. Sherman, Dana always wrote
In terms Of commentator. In a letter
quoted In the pool before US he speaka
OF Sherman as "a man Of genius and OF
the widest intellectual acquisitions" Dana
always looked upon MCPHERSON as an oficer
Of first rate ability; not 90 brilliant as Sher-
man, indeed. but In every way q Capable
and loyal subordinate, who understood hia
profession thoroughly.
What Dana msy a said in conversA.
ton with President Lincoln and Secretary
Stanton with reference TO Grant, Sherman
and Mcpherson can never be exactly knownp
but Gen. Wilson IL convinced that ne neld
them in. the highest esteem. He declares
that through the long years OF his aoquatns-
ance with Dana, in which they had many
-u---u.~ao aloud thAaa GanaralS hn
never failed to speak OF them and their
military services in the highest terms OF
praise and admiration. Nor can there be
any doubt that he did all In his power TO
strengthen them in Washington, or that
he regarded them as true heroes who would
serve their country in every emergency
with the most unselfsh devotion Charles
A. Dana was far from being an emotional
man, but his biographer saws that he made
no effort to conceal his feelings OF affection
and respect for these splendid soldiers es
exemplifying the best product Of our ma
tional military school and the best training
Of the regular army.
On his return 70 Washington about the
middle Of December, 1858, after the cam
paigns OF Chickamauga and Chattanooga
had been closed. Dan la a series OF con-
f~erences with Lincoln and Stanton. After
the holidays he returned to the War De-
partment as Assistant Secretary. and
thehceforth participated in the multifaious
duties connected with the administration
and maintenance OF the army. During
the following winter months Dana saw
much OF the leading men in Washington.
He Ia believed to nave had much TO do
with the adoption of the suggestion that
Grant should be made q Northumberland
and placed In command Of all the Union
forces. II was nevertheless his ultimate
conviction that the greatest General on the
Union side, greater than Grant or Thomas,
was Abraham Lincoln. 1T was not 80 at
the beginning, he says in his -Reoollections
Of the Civil War: 4but after three or four
years OF constant practice in the science
and art Of warfare he arrived at an eK-
traordinary knowledge OF It, 80 that Won
Moltke was not a better General or an ADLER
planner or expounder Of a campaign than
President Lincoln
Having terminated his connection with
the War Department after the fall OF Rich
---I n--. .-~l.l 81 DbIaa1A Tor thn