The Washington herald., 1914-03-18

Fifty years ago today Gen. William
Tecumseh Sherman assumed command
Of the military division of the MissIs-
sippi, succeeding Cen Grant, who on
March 2 had been placed at the head
Of the armies Of the United States
1t was great field of operations in
whicn this brilliant officer-whom a por-
ton OF the press had not hesitated to
declare insane in the first year Of the
war-now found himself in SUPREME con-
troll
Tennessee and the army therein, with
which Grant had won fame: Arkansas,
where another Federal army was sta
toned; the Department of the Ohio,
from which had come the army that had
operated against Knoxville. and the De-
partment and Army OF the Cumberland,
with Gen. George ii. Thomas in COM
mand-all the territory held by the Fed
erals and all their armies between the
mountains and the Mississippi and in
Arkansas beyond the great river.
In the vast area were more than 200,-
600 Federal soldiers. Sherman had never
before commanded more than 5000 at
one time: but those he had commanded
we'll, both before and in the siege Of
Vicksburg and afterward.
Grants confidence in Sherman. fortified
by friendship, had grown steadily as
the war progressed. When Grant aimed
10 drive the Confederates from before
Chattanooga in November, 1863. he had
waited for Sherman to arrive, after a
hard march Of $50 miles from Memphis.
before ordering the attack. To Sher-
man was given the post of honor. the
attack upon the enemy's right wing. at
the north end of Missionary Ridge.
Sherman had not carried the ridge as
planned. but he had pounded the enc
my's right SO hard that he had prevented
him from moving troops from there to
his center. where Thomas with the
Army of the Cumberland. was able to
carry all before him.
After Chattanooga Sherman had re-
turned TO Memphis. had gone thence to
Vicksburg, and with about 5000 men
had made a spectacular march across
Mississippi TO Meridian. destroying the
railroads by which the enemy might
bring east supplies for his spring cam
paign in the Georgia mountains south
of Chattanooga.
This work was just finished and Sher-
man was again at Memphis. when word
reached him, in the second week in
March. from Grant. informing him Of
the great change that had taken place
in Grants fortunes. and asking Sher-
Grants Gnlena sword.
While sherman was travelling to Nash
willie. via the river to Cairo and thence by
rail through Cincinnati and Louisville,
Grant was in Washington receiving his
new commission of lieutenant general
and making a rapid survey of the field of
his future operations.
When Sherman reached Nashville on
March IL he found Gen. Grant back from
Washington. deep in the business Of
winding up his affairs and preparing for
another Journey East. His family was
with him. His dwelling and office were
under the same roof. in a large mansion.
The order being issued placing Sherman
In command OF the Division of the Mis-
sissippi. the now commander plunged
impetuously into the business at hand,
sharing Grants office.
While Sherman was thus engaged
Grant came into the room and requested
his presence in tho dining-room. Grant !
was about TO DO presented with a sword |
by a delegation from his home town. |
Galena. ILL.,. and being shy and I'll at case |
In formal company, bcsouGht Shcrman's /
moral support.
Mrs. Grant. Miss Nellie Grant two Of |
the Grant boys and several members Of |
Grants stan wcrc also present Gen
sherman WAS introduced to "a large cor
pulent gentleman the mayor of GaIena
IN the table lay a rosewood box. in |
which were sword. a sash, and spurs
The mayor Of Galcna held in his hand
'arChment on which was engrnssed an
address, duly embellshed with seals and
ibbOns. The mayor read the address in
IN easy. impressive manner.
When he had finished Gen. Grant said:
Mr.. Mayor. as I knew this ceremony
vas to occur, and. "a I am not used to
peaking. l have written something in
eply." Gen. Sherman thus relates what
ollOwed:
He then began to tumble in his poCk-
Is, first in the breast pocket OF his coat