The Washington herald., 1914-11-06
HISTORY BUILDERS.
Why Sheridan Removed Gen. Warren.
fwnttsn EzrrasIs for rhs Herald-l<
NJ DR. u. .. EDWARDS.

~ On. u. y. EDWAADss
From time to time after Gen. Fred d.
Grant returned from his service In the
Philippines had interesting and always
plenf ant conversations with him and was
gratihed to know that he welcomed
on his part OF his ass3ciafion with his
father and Of comments made by his
father to him respecting some Of the
higher ofticers OF the Union aa Wen an
the Confederate army.
happened to mention to Gen. Grant
one Gay that Gen. Fitz-John Porter told
me that he knew OF no case In which
greater display Of moral courage was
made than that OF Gen. Grant when he
serted that he had become convinced
that Gen. Porter had been unjustly con-
victed BY courtmartial on account Of
charges made against him for conduct
in the second battle OF Bull Run.
"weiI," said Gen Fred Grant. Il don't
think my father ever looked upon his
action as one, that involved moral cour-
age. Father was the most Just man !
ever knew in the sense that he always
tried to be so and no one could make
swifter acknowledgment Of an error
after he was persuaded that he had
erred. especially IN any matter relating
10 the conduct Of an ofiicer.
you may remember that there were
many criticisms Of my father because
he would not aid Gen. Gouyerneur K
Warren IN securing court OF inyesti-
cation which would have authority 20
pass upon the fact associated with the
removal Oh Gen, Warren by Gen. Sheri-
dan at the battle OF Five Forks. Va.
which compelled Gen. Lee rapidly 10
abandon Richmond.
s'I have often heard my father speak
OF Gen. Warren. and he always spoke
with admiration Of his soldierly quail
tiles. OF his devotion 70 duty ana OF
his fine personal character. have also
heard father say why II was that ne
would not recommend the appointment
Of the court OF investigation Tor which
Warren asked. Father knew that Gen.
Warren was grievously hurt because ne
was removed by Gen Sheridan and be-
lieved that the action was a reflection
upon his military ability and conscien-
tiousnesA.
but father told me what the reason
was. And IL was a reason whieh Noulo
have made 4 court OF inquiry useless.
He said that the general who was In
command OF an army ts responsiole. IN
the end, for its management he must
therefore know what the peculiar abili'
Ties "a well as the peculiar limitations
OF. a subordinate oficer are. No man
could have spoken in higher terms oi
Gen. warren's ability than father al
Ways did. On the other hand. he tell
that there were certain limitations, due
perhaps 70 disposition. to procrastinate'
to take excessive care. which In GER
tain constituencies would anect Gen.
Warren's ability to cary out certain or
ders. The battle of Five Forks was q
be an important one, since upon II
father depended for success to divide
or break through Gen. Lees lines. he
therefore authorised Sheridan, In case
he thought the exigencies OF the situa'
tion justified Il, to displace Gen. War
rem because he was apprehensive that
those peculiar limitations might impair
the movement
.aEow, a generals judgment Of his sub.
ordinate In not a matter for q court oil
inquiry. Furthermore, had there been
A court Of inquiry father would have
been compelled to testify that Warren
was removed because, In fathers opin-
ion. the situation was one which COM
pelled a kind Of leadership In which
Warren was wanting. Therefore father
thourht a court Of inquiry would be use
less although he fully appreciated Gen.
warren's feelings. The time would
come. he said, when explanation for the
action could be given But u did not
come until father reached the descrip-
tion of the battle Of Five Forks In the
latter part of his book.
tCotJriEhf, 49, b. z. J. Edvards. Al r1shu re
SerTedl
Tomorrow DR.. Edwards will tell OF a
Railroad Magnate's Prudent Apothegm-