The Natchitoches enterprise., 1915-08-12

lust now. l mean Generdl OneLAIaA
and his book. Of course his autobio-
graphy was a theme of conversation at
the Club. To few gentlemen Colonel
Lew related something about Sherman
which | considered of sufficient import
ance to make note OF, and as it was
known that he was an old ante war as
sociate of Sherman his assertions were
of great interest and value as bearing
upon Sherman's status in ..6l. The
substance of Colonel Levy's narrative
is about as follows:
At the beginning Of the war Colone
Sherman, as he was then known, oc,
cupied the position of Superintendent
of the Military Academy of Louisiana,
which at that time was located in the
Parish of Rapides, adjoining Parish IN
which reside. 1t was my habit to at
tend the Courts of Rapides Parish
some three or four times year, and l
met Colonel Sherman about the time OF
bis first arrival in the country. A
friendship, as is well known IN my
locality, sprang up between the Colone
and myself, l did all could to make
him feel at home in his new place. L
was a splendid place for him, flourish
ing school, purely military, whict
suited his taste, an elegant salary, and
a charming residence for himself anC
family. Colonel Sherman, from the
first expressed himself more than pleas
ed with his position, and said it was
the first genuine rest he had had TO-
years-a period in which he had beer
tossed about from place to place a;
a soldier and civilian. Not only my
self, but other citizens took unusua,
pains to make Colonel Sherman feel a.
home. knowing that he was Northern.
man, and connected prominently Wltli
individuals who were hostile to slavery
He was cordially invited to the home O.
Tom Moore, who was then our GOV
ernor, and owned a beautiful mansion
ten miles from the Academy of Bayou
Roberts. Sherman was a frequent
visitor at the house of Governor Moore
and Lieutenant Governor Hyams, and,
in fact, all the prominent citizens. in
and around Alexandra. He was de-
lighted with the hospitality extended
to him. Finally it became apparent
that we must have war, about winch
time | met General Sherman in Alex
andria at the Ice House, the leading
hotel at that place. had converse
ton with him on the situation, and |
discovered that he was very gloomy
He had Just received letter from his
brother John. urging him to stand o.
the Union, and also letters from klns-
people in Cincinnati to the same pur-
pose. During that conversation,
while he expressed his devotion to. th9
Union, be unqualifiedly said that he
would never fl ght against the people OF
the South, and was of the opinion that
he would quietly remain in charge OF
the school during the war, should there
be one. There is no doubt but what
he FULLY intend at that time to remain
a mere looker-on in the strife, which
was then at hand. A few days there
after war was actually upon US. |
took a train down Red River to New
and, as it happened, Sherman
got aboard at Alexandria, and We
were travelling companions to this city:
He had, since saw him last, concluded
70 leave the country, having offered
his resignation, which had been &C.
cepted. We both stopped at the. st.
Charles Hotel in this city. Duriny
that trip, which occupied two days,
Sherman was melancholy over the
terrible turn public affairs had taken,
and repeatedly declared that he had
washed his hands of the whole thing,
and would have no part in this tratrl-
cidal struggle. | remainded but a day
or two in New Orleans. The last time
| saw my friend Colonel Sherman was
at Victor's restaurant Ia resort OF the
creme de la creme) at a dinner, at
which were presented a number OF
among whom believe
none are now living except Lieutenant
Governor Hyams. At that dinner the
health of General Sherman was pro-
posed and regrets offered that he had
seen proper to sever his connection
with an institution which was the pride
Louisiana. Sherman was an easy,
forcible talker, and he took occasion to
reply in extenso on this subject. The
substance of his remarks were that no
one could regret more than himself the
stern necessity which demanded his
from the military school.
In fact it was a complete distribution
of his business plans, and set him
adrift to stop he knew not where.
It was a position which his ambition
had really desired, and it was great
sacrifice to give it up, and he hoped
that the destiny might so shape the
affairs of the country that he might :
turn and resume his old relations to the
institution. He expatiated at length
on the courtesy which public officials
had extended him and the splendid
hospitality which had met him on all
sides. Never, said he, could he consent
to take up arms against such noble
people. It would be crime upon his
part to do such thing. The laws of
would would stamp him IS
a traitor were he so lost to propriety
as to do such a thing. He would 60
from there to the North, and he would
tell his people that it was an unholy
war, in which he could bear no par;
that it was a contest between two Sec
tons, to each he was bound by the
sacred ties, and that his sword should
rust in its scabbard until the conflict
was ended,
"There is no doubt, said Colonel
Levy, "that General Sherman volun-
tariiy, unequivocally and uncondition-
ally pledged himself in the most blind-
ing manner not to fight on either side
during the war. The day before the
occasion refer to Colonel Sherman, N
company with myself and General
Bragg, while taking drink at the s..
Charles bar, made the same pledge in
unmistakable terms his strongest
desire in parting was to leave an as
surance that he had no enmity, and
would not participate in the fight. It
was an opinion among many that
policy was to retire until
the thing was over, then return ard
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