Indiana State Sentinel, Volume 24, Number 39, Indianapolis, Marion County, 20 May 1875 — Page 2

THE INDIANA STATE SENTINEL, THURSDAY MAY 20 1875

SlIEBXAX'S STORY.

CONCLUSION OF THE TIVE. The Spiciest V7riting of llie Times. INSIDE VIEWS OF THE A KM Y EARLY TROUBLES, DISSENTIONS AND MISUNDERSTANDINGS. JEALOUSIES B ETWEE! SOLFdERS OF TIIE REQTTTJkR AND VOLUNTEER ARMIES DID GRANT HRKRlf AN FLAN TUTS WONDERFUL CAM PAIGN Td SHEBM1.H rs BUB THK CREDIT OF THATCAMPAIQN THM MARCH TO THE SEA THE REVIEW OX PfiNNSRLVANIA AVENUE TV THK FATIOS'sCArrTAL. The subjoined U tho conclusion of the iTPTAld'a review of Hen. Sherman's history ot the war ot the rebellion: Oar first article on this noted work concluded with the first volume. Thewcond volume embraces the narrativ ol his career, from the appoint ment of Grant to mies until tbo war. Thers is command the ar close of the concluding chap Vex on the military lessons of the war, which i nirnaflv been rmblished and reviewed in thA TTeralrL The second volume embraces n.nr nniniq that have heretofore been in controversy, and the trnthof which will be largely diterminMDy tue eviaenre j creat soldier. This-, more especially, as to the mareh to thesea and the final campaign -.h;h t- tli surrender of Johnston's army. Without entering so much into these TkointR r.f dissension, let us content ourselves -im r.nu.ri -irr those DortiooB cl the gen eral'sVork which throw light upon the creat events In which be was eo illustrious n art-ir. an ! which, form some of the most 7lnriooa chanters in our national biitory. on t lR-.h of March. 1S.. General Sher man, then in tho forty fmrth yearoihi3 age relieved General Grant in the command t th miii.nrv division of the Mississippi, and from that time forward he became, tn CcnersI (Irant. the COOSDieUOU i fig nrf t tia wfr ThA cenerals who served under him were Schofield. Thomas, McPfcer son, ana tMeeie. euerm . . . . , . i 1 " l.orl lllczt been nomlnaxea 10 s.e cuiei i-uium v 11 the armies ot the Union, and w&3 on ma way to Richmond to accept the duties ot his supreme station. General Sherman tray--eled with bim as lr as Cincinnati for the purpose et discussing privately many little details incident to hi new rank and the great duties that devolved upon him. THE XAS3ACF.E AT FCRT TlLLOW. Shortly a.ter Sherman's taking command, General Forest made that famous raid which resulted ia tho capture of lrt Pillow. The question as to whether the troops of Forrest massacred the negro gnrrison at Fort Pillow, has always been one of the problems of the war. Ia alluding to it General Sherman interna as that be had intended the vacation of Fort Fdlow, and Lad so ordered it; but that General Ilulbert had retained a small garrison ''to encourage the enlistment of the blacks as soldiers, which was a favorite political policy at tnat time." Con30qnently the expwure ol a small garrison in an unsupported, outlying tort, and the ma-sacre that followed, are not to be blamed upon Gen. Sherman. As to the massacre, the general now Bays that no doubt the troops of Forrest "acted like a pet ol barburiatiS, shooting down the helples negro garrison, after the fort was in their poesesEion." lie gives Forrest the credit of stopping the firing as soon as he could, and bears testimony to the fact that when Forrest took federal soldiers prisoners, be was usually very kind to them. Rut "he had a desperate set ot fellows under biro," and at that time there Is no doubt the fading of the Southern people was fearfally savage on this verv point of oar making soldiers out of their'lhte slave, and Forres; may have shared this fueling. FRFABINO FOR ATLANTA. Still greater events were impending. Gen. Sherman's three officers Thomas, McPherson and Ecactteld wers men of education and experience, "who possessed special qualities of mind and character which," ke sajs, "filed thetn in tbo highest degreo for the work then in contemplation." The cum" ber of troops under his command amounted in all to about 3Ö0.0Ö0 men, of which bo rerardtwi more than 1S0.U0O fit for duty. Gen. Sherman's first plan was to take 100,000 men as & compact army i.r active operations, leaving 80,000 fur garrison and to guard the lines ot supplies, lie orgariizxi three armies the Cumberland, 'lencesaee and the Ohk and to make the movt-uant as swilt and mobile as possible, he allowed only cue wagon and one ambulance to a regiment, and compelled each officer and soldier to carry food and clothing eu-ugb for five days on his person. The nrrny of the Cumberland was entrutfd to the eommand ot General Thomm, the Ttnnesseto that ot General McPherson, and the Ohio to that of General Scofleld. It was difficult to enforce the regulation in reference to the paucity or baggie, and dear old General Tbo in as could not make up his mind to Bleep on tbe ground like the sol diem. Sherman frequently called his attention t tne orders upon the subject, rather jestingly thin ' seriously. Tnomaf," be say, "would break out agaiRSt his officers for having such luxuries, LGt, needing a tent himself and being good cat'ired and slow ta act, he never enforced my orders petfctly. In addition t; his regular wagon tra'nbe had a bigwag:n, which could be converted into an otiice, and this we ust-d to call 'Tboma' Circu-.' " iyometimes the general would find quartermasu rs hd bidden away tents and mess fixtures of tbe most comfortable descrip tion, and these he always broke up. The resuit of his efforts was taat be doubts if any army ever went forth to battle with iewer iuipodimeata. HIB ATLANTA CAMPAIGN. So, with 200.000 men ready in hand, Sherman made ready to move against Joseph 11 Johns too, who commanded tbe forces ot the South. Upon assuming command of the army of the United States Gen. Grant issued orders aesignicg Saerman his part in tbe cam palgn, which was to work toward a common oenter. In reading this loiter of Gen. Grant to 3en. Siierinao, written April 4, 1SGI, we find tbe purpose ot Graut was to nght only tbe Southern armies. IJanks was in Louis ina. about to move upon bis unhappy d4 dwatrous Red River expedition riiccl was in We&t Virainia. protectinz the railroads. Grant did not anticipate much from Sigel, but, as he quaintly expressed It in his letter to Sher man, "ir feilet can't fctin nimseir ce can Jaold a lez-wDile some one else sk'na." Ills only, instructions to General Sherman were "to move against Jobnalon's army, to break it up, and to gt into the Interior of the enemy's country as far as you can, inflicting all the damage you can against their war renourees." This letter, written on the 4,h of April, 18.34, demonstrates clearly that I'rttilont Grant had no Idea a' that time of what it wts po?sihls fr Sherman to do; that he ' ni'i Mtcm e;ved cither the pcssiLl9fall rf Atlanta, or that brilliant march through Georgia to the sea which has given IMMOjRTALiITT TO SHERMAN'S NAMIJ. Shf rman, in replying ti this letter, a week later, Intimated that be might possibly attack Atlanta; at the best he could hope for

was to march Into Georgia. "Oeorgia, n writes, "has a million of inhabitants. It

they can live we should not starve." -i win Inspire my command, if successful, with the feeling mat ceei ami eaifc solutely necessary to Iiis, and that parcbed corn once fed General Jackson's aimy on that very ground." Grant repue-a admonishing Sherman to beware, lest tbe enemy, in a fit ol de-peration, might aoanoon i:nmond and fall back upon him to crush him, and telliofc him that it Johrrston "snows siitns of Joining toliow him up to tbe full extent of your ability, t will prevent the concentration of Lee upon your front if it la in the power ot bis army to ao i. oo instructed Sherman set iorth upon the 5th of May on his camfaign into Georgia, the day appointed by Grant tor his own campaign in Virginia, His rmy was in light maivhlncrtrimr: he himself bad less accom modation than an ordinary brigade commander, desiring, as heiid, to 6et the army an examole ot beine "able to start at a mo ment's notice and to subsist on tbe scantiest r rrwH " 1? had obtained records of the census tables, showine the population and statistics of every county in Georgia, the number f boreea aad cattle and the prooable agricultural resources a wise precauidorinfT thnt he meant to live on ihonntrir MiPk.rgon. he thinks, could haw takfln Rsacs. on the 11th of May, but ho fall hart. SuA an oDDortanity." Sher man sftvs. "does not occur twice in a single lifti hut at the critical moment McPherson aMmatnh.ivA hsn a litt .e timid i still he was perfectly justiridd by his orders." DISSENSIONS IN TIIE REBSL ARMY. Tri a mi oaf inn ha otten been asked why it was that the Confederate army did not fight the nelßhborhood of r-novine. Shrman himself found at Cassvilloall the features of preparation for grand battle, and among them a long line of freHh intrenchments. Johnston had und his command thre9 army corps, th';se of Hood. Polk and Hardee, numbarinc in ail about 00,000 men. After the war, he savs, ha met Gnncral Johnston, and they talked hir tiattlps over at the friendly card table Johnston said that he intended to fight Sherman at Cassviile. and the action was to begin in the morning. W'hilo at supper, however, General Hood informed him 1 thkt hi armv was enfiladed by the Union I artillery n opinion conlirmod by General I oik ana oi uwr ui t-uiuiuot; . o. aud FolS both learcnl they could not bold their men. General Johnston, says Sherman, "was provoked, accused them of having baen in conference, with being beaten before battle, and added that he was unwilling to engage in a critical battle wish an army so superior to bU own in numbers, with two ot his three corps' Commanders dissatisfied wit n the ground end p;sitious assigned them." Consequently he retreated south of the Allatoona rae. The close of May left Saer man in command of this range and opened up the way to tha Kenesaw mountains. THIS DEATH OP OES. POLK. Sherman kspt pushing his way down toward Atlanta. Ii was in this campaign that tho rebel Gon. Lsonidas Polk, wao had been a bishop of the Southern Episcopal Church, lost his life. The story of his death is one of the dramatic incidents of the war, reminding us of tne death of tho famouH French general, .Moreau. who was killed by a shot from a battery which had been fired by the special order of Napoleon. On June 11 (Jen. Sherman, in conversation with Gen. Howard, observed, at the distance ot 8'JO yards, a group of coniederaje officers, evidently watching tbe federal troups through glasses. Sherman called Gen. Howard's attention to this group f nd ordered him to compal it to keep behind its cover. Howard answered that his orders from General Thomas were to spare artillery ammunition. "That was right according to the general policy," says Sherman. "I explained to him that we must keep up the morale of the bold offensive; that he must use his artillery to force tho enemy to remain on the timid defensive, and ordered htm to causa a batterj- close by to lire three volleys." Oneof these volleys killed Gen. FoikJ Gen. John&ton afterward explained to Gen. Sherman tho exact manner of Gsn. Polk's death. He had ridden to Pine Mountain, accompanied by Generals Hardee and Polk. He noticed the preparation at Sherman's battery to fire and caused the soldiers to scatter. "They did so," says Johnston, -'and he likewise hurried behind the parepe., from which be had an equally good view of the position, but Gen. Polk, who was dignified and corpulent, walked slowly, not wishing to appear too burried or cautious in the presence ot tho men, and wa3 struck acroHB the breast by an exploded shell, which killed him instantly." "It has been charged," bays Sherman, "that I tired the shot which killed Gen. Polk, aud that I knew it was directed against that general. The fact is, that at that disiance we could not even teil that the group were oöcers at all. I was on horseback a couple of hundred yards off before my o:drs to fire were executed, and bad no idea that our shot, had taken effect.' TROUBLE WITH HOOKER. It is noted that in this campiign Gen. Sherman took pains to never go inte camp without intrenching. Ha had a special ser vice ot men lor this work, and during tbe campaign hundreds, and perhaps thousands of miles of retrenchments were built by both armies, and "as a rule, whichever party attacked, that one got the w.jrst ot it." It rained most ot the time, ltiin, according to Saerman, having a favorable effdct on troops in action and iu tbe march, but not in tne wocds. On one occasion Hooker, '.vd., af-er his failure in the Ki-t, bad benn given another opportunity in the Wtt and commanded c ri sb the arrnj A Thouiis, teegrapued to General Stieruiaii, ignoring Thomas, that be bad practically won a victory. Sherman was annoyed at this action of Hooker. "General Thomas had, before this occasion," be Bays, complained to bim of "General Hooker's disposition to switch off, leaving wide gaps in nia linbs, so as to be independent, and to make glory on his own account. 1 therefore resolved not to overlook this breach of disci pline and propriety." Ridinj over to Hooker's quarters Hherrxian showed tbe despatch and the injustice it had done to General Schoütld also, and there were high words between tbe two Generals. Schoneld and Hooker. "As we rode away from that church," says Sher man, ."Gen. Hooker was by my side, and I told h'in that such a thing must not. occur aam. In other word, I reproved him. more gently than the occasion demanded, and from that time be began to sulk, ueu Hooker bad come from toeKas:, with great fame as a fighter, and at Cufcttanooga be was cioriued by his battle above the clouds. which. I fear, turned his head. He seemed jealous cf all the army commanders, bacause, in years and former rank and expe rience, be thought be was our superior." THE DEATH OF K'PHERSOX. The officer whose command gave rise to so inucheitternes!oi feeling was tbe brilliant young McPherson, whoso dea'L came upon tbe country so grievously at tbe outset oi thisjeampaign. Hood had been appointed to command the Army of tbeSjui-u, iu place ot Joe Jobnst- n, because of hh being a "better hgbter." McPherson and iiood bad been in tho S3iue class at West Poir.t, and when it was learned that Hood had beeu given the command ol the oproelnz army it was agreed toat we ought to be unusually cautious and prepared at all times for sallies and hard figh'ing, for - Hood, though not deemed "much of a scholar," or of very great mental capacity, was 'undoubtedly a brave, determined and rasa

man. it was uuring tae progress oi a aauy

suddenly uiaie by Hood lor the purpose ol turning Sherman 's rear that the noble young McPherson lost bis nie. 1 1 was in tne morn ing, about 11 o'clock. McPherson hd called on Sherman to talk about the prospects for the day. Tbey walked to a racJ, a BDori distance, and sat tlown at tbe foot of a tree to study a map. There was an occasional musketry firing and artillery, ut suddenly in one part ot the line an occasional shot begad to be heard. Sherman asked McPberson what it meant. "We tcok my pocket compass," says Sherman, "which I always carried with me, and by noting tbo dlrec'ion of the sound we became satisned teat tne firing was too far to our left rear to be explained by known fact", and be hastily called for bis bor, his staff and hta orderlies. McPherson was then in his prime, about thirty-four years old, over six feet high, and a very handsome man in every way, unlversallv liked, and had manv noble Qualities. He bad on his boots outside his pantaloons, ciuntletaon his hands, had on his major general's uniform and wore a sword belt but no sword. He hastily gathered bis pa rsers, save one. which 1 bow possess, into a Docket-book, and lumped on his horse, say ing he would hurry down his line anl send me back word 'what this sound meant." Iu a few minutes Sherman, who in the moan time had gone bick to the bouse, alarmed by the increase ot the mysterious firing met one of McPherson's stall, nis nor9 covered with sweat, who reported that th general was either killed or a prisoner. McPherson had ridden ahead, giving an order to some tr )ops to hurry forward, and disappeared in the woods, doubtless with, a sense oi aoo lute security, Theponnd of rauketry was there heard, and McPnerson's horse came back bleediasr, wounded and nueriess. An hour afterwards the bodyof McPherson was found. A bullet bad entered his body msr tbe hart. and McPherson must have died in a few seconds after being hit. Tho remains were sent back to Marietta, and from thence to his home In Clyde, Oslo, wl ere they were received with great honcr, and are now buried in a small ctmetery close by hi mother's house, which cemetery ia composed in part of the orchard in which he r.s&d to play when a boy. . TFIK FALL OF ATLANTA. Atlanta fell, as all men will remember who recall the anxiety that pervaded the country during that trying time of 1SG t. McClellan had been nominated for, the presidency against Lincoln, and tae summer had al most passed before the anticipated surcpf s of Grant bad ben realized. The conff der ate rmir-g wer making a gallant resist ance in Virginia and tbr Vt. Grant wa? ste;. Ji'v ''pegging away" through the wilderne and Shermnn wa slowly forcing hi army irjt tho mountains of Georgia. Tho conn try hal almost despaired of u vic'ory, when suddenly the confederate troona aban doned Atlanta, which town was oecu pied by General Slocum. When steady, fCrious old Thomas heard the news be snapped his fincrs, whittled and ahnest danced." "As the news spread through the army the shouts that aroso from the army," says Sherman, "the wild hallooing and glorious lanahter were to us a full recompense for tbe labor and toil and bard ship through which we had passed in the previous three months." Letters of con gratulation were sent bv Lincoln and Grant and a salute of shotted guns was fired fromJ tne batteries arouna iticnmoua. Sherman became the most popular soldier of the war His campaign defeated Mcciijaa and de cided the re-election of President Lincoln Sherman tr-ok possession ;or Atlanta and carried out a severe measure, for which be was criticised at the time. Tie ordered p! tbe inhabitant to leave. General Hood, who commanded tbe conf derates, an swered that the measure "transcends in tudid and ingenious cruelty all a?ts that ever before were brought to my attention in the dark history cf war." lbe correspon dence was angry and eloquent. Sherman arraigned Hood and the whole South in for vent and not always wise rhetoric. Hood replied that the course of General Botler in New Orleans was even more humane and c usidera;e than that of Sherman, and "b?ttr a thousand deaths than to live under Sherman and bis negro allies." But Sher man imperative in his resolnMo.i. "If," he said to Halieek at the time, "the people raise a bowl sgainst my barbarity and cruelty, I will answer that war n war and not popularity seeking If they want peace, they ar-d thir relatives must stop the war." P.ut if Sherman's course was severe it was justified by tho orders from W asbiogton. Udileck's let ter to Sherman, !ommeuting upon the con tioverv with Hood, shows the angry feel ing wh'cb animated even calm ollicers of the regular army. "I would," savs Hall- ck ' destroy every mill and factory within reach which I did not want for my own u-e. Thi the relels have done, not only in Marvlaud and Pennsylvania, but also in Virginia and other rebel states, when compelled to fall back before our arms. In many sections of the country they haip not left a mill to grind corn for their own suflering families lest we might use them to supply on armies. Wo must do tte same.1 WHO TLANNED TUB MAP.CH TO THE SEA? The general opinion has been that, while Gen. Sherman commanded the army which marched from Atlacta to Savannah and from thence to Richmond, the conception of the plan belongs to Gen. Grnt. It is weil that this question should be decided In many respects the march to the sea stands out from the rebellion as thenus brilliant achievemant cf the war. On tbe 12th of September, 1S64, Gen. Gram wrote to Sherman from City liLt that he did not know exactly what to do with Sherman's army, and w'as disturbed by the difficulties ot supplying it, and intimated that it might be well to threaten Macon and Augusta. To this letter Gen. Sherman replied, saying h would not hesitate to cross tbe s ate of Georgia with 60,000 men, hauling seme stores and depending on the country for the balance; that "where a million of people find subsistence my army wont starve." He did net believe in penetrating Georgia without an objective beyond. "It would be productive of much good. I can start east and make a circuit south and back, doing vast damage to tbe state, but resulting in no permanent g .od, and by threatening to do bo I hold a rod over the Georgians, who are not over loyal to the South." He concludes by advising that Grant's and Can by 'a armies should be reinforced, and that he should keep Hood employed, and put his own army in fine order for a march on Augusta, Columbia and Charleston. "Tbe p s ses3 Ion of the Savannih river is more fatal to the possibility ot Southern independence. He may stand the fall of Rich, mond, but not the fall ot Georgia." "If you can whip Lee and I can march to tbe Atlantic, I think Uncle Abe will give u twenty -days' absence to see the voutg folks." This is the first indication in this 1 correspondence of what alterward became the lamous march to tbe sea. GRANT HESITATES OVER THE MARCH. To this letter Grant answered, September 6, "It would be better to drive Forreet out ot Tennessee, as a first step to do an thing else you may feel your fjica snßicient for;" But Sherman would not abandon bis sea dream. On the 9tn of October he telegraphed to Thomas, ! want to destroy all tbe roads below Chattanooga, including Atlanta, and to make lor the seacoast;" and again, to Grant, "I can make this march and can make Georgia howl." General J. II. Wilson was sent down to command tb cavalry, Grant's Idea evidently being that Wilson t the bead of tbe cavalry force might do In Georgia what Sheridan had done In Vir-

ginia; "and Grant," says Sherman, "advied that Wilsen should 1 sent South to accom-

plUh all that I bad proposed to do with tbo main army; but I bad' not so much faith n cavalry es he had, and preferred the first." Grant again urged Sherman to destroy Hood's army before thinking pi his march across to tne sea, and the next day Sherman answered him that Thomas was rong enough to handle Hood, and that tbe best results would follow the contem plated movement tbrouch Georgia." Evi dently this dispatch decided Geu. Grant's mind, tor the ot November he telegraphed: "I do not see that you can withdraw from where you ari to ."follow Hood vitncut giving up all we bave gained In terIrnrn lir than trr. fnii rnnn.a ' This," says Gen. Sherman, "was ihe first time Gen. Grant assented to tbe march to the sea, and aliheugb many of his warm friends and admirers insist that be was tbe author and projector of that march, and" that 1 simnly executed bis plans. Gen. Grant has never, in my opinion, thought so, or said so." "1 have ottea been asked by well meaning friends when tbe thought of that march urt entered my ml ad. I knew that an army which had nene trated Georgia as far as Atlanta cjuld not turn back it must go aheed; but when, bow and where depended ou many considerations. As soon as Hood crossed from Lov Joy's to Pal me' to, I saw the move in my mnd eye, and after JefiVrson Davis s srejehats Palmetto, on September 26, 1 was more im itive in my conviction, but was in doubt as t tho time ami manner." We think there can bo doubt ot the fact that tee mirch to tbe sea was thorousbly the con ception ot Sbrrman and that he believed thesuccess of the march would result in the fill of Richmond. l)n the 7th ot November, five days alter this dispatch, dvirig lirmn assent. Gen. Grant talegraphod approving the plans and sayinar: "I think everything here is favorable now. Great good fortune aucnavou. 1 believe v. u viil be emi nently successful, and at riiot can only make a march ho fruitful than hoped for.' THE MARCH TO THE SEA. On the lOth of November, Sherman stiou upon mi maren. nis army was divided into a rli;ht and left wing under the command of Generals Howard and Slocum, and wa3 composed of about (0,000 men. 2iost extraordinary efloit bad been mado to purge it lrom non-combatants and sick men, ecu every soiaicr in ice ranks was "wtll equipped and provided ai well as buman foresight could with 11 tho ev-entinls of life, strength aud vigorous act'on." Pro visions enough for twenty days and forai for fire were taken. Sherman's description of the morning when the inarch b?;n i vivid and picturesque: "We stiod upon the ver' ground whereon was for.g'a the Dioouy battle o .imy zi. and conid ee the c(se rf voods where McPherson foil. Behind us lay Atlanta errouldering and in ruiu. the black smoke rising high in air and hanging like a pall over tho ruined city." "Ilight beforo us the FourteeiXh corps, marctdng steadily and rapidly with a cheery and swinging pace, made light of the many hundred miles that lay between us and Richmond. Some band struck up the anthem of John Brown. Tb'e men caught up the strain, and never before or since have I neard tbe chorus done with more spirit or better harmony of tim and placs Tuen we turned our horses' heads to the east. Atlanta was soon lost behind the screen of trees, and became a thing of the psst. Around it clings many a thought of desperate battle, of hops and fear, which now seem like the memory of n dream, and I have never seen tbe place tiuce. Tne d3y was extremity beautiful; clear sunlight, with bracing air, and an unusual feeling of inspiration seemed to pervade all minds tbe fueling of something to come, vague and undefined, still full of venture and intense interest. Fven the common soldiers caugbt the inspiration, and many a group called out to iiie as I worked my waypat them, 'Uccie Biily, I guess Grant is waiting for us in Richmond.' Indeed, the general seutiment was that we were marching for Rieuuiond, where we stould end thejvar." "I had no purposs to march direct for Richmond by way of Augusta and Cbariolteville, but always did design to reach the seacoast at Savannah or Port Royal, and even kept in mind tbe alternative of Peusacola." THE ROMANCE OF THE MARCH. General Sherman's style becomes picturesque and vivid in treatlcg of this march to the sea. At Covington the negroes were simply frantic with joy, and clustered about his horse, shouting and praying in their quaint style, which had a peculiar eloquence "that will move a stone," and "I can now see a poor girl in the very ecstacy of the Methodist shout, bugging the tittered banner ot one of the regiments and jumping up to the feet of Jesus." Then there came an old, gray-haired negro "about as fine a head as I ever saw. Iaektdhim if he understood about the war and its progress. He said th&t be did ; tbefc be bad been looking for the angel of tbe Lord ever since he was knee-higb, and, though we professed to be fighting for the Union, be supposed that slavery was the cause, and our success would be his freedom. I naked him if all tbe negro slaves comprehendei this fucr, and be said they sutely did." It was a bard time with the plantation of Howell Cobb, the famous rebel general, when Sbrrman reached it. He gave orders to Gen. Davis to spare nothing, ar d that night the plantatien was destroyed. "Sitting in front ot the fire that evening," says the general, "I became conscious that a negro with a tallow candle in his hand was scanning my lace clo-e'y. I Inquired, 'What do you want, old mafij" He auawered, 'Dey say you is Masa Sherman.' I answered that tuch was the case, and inquired what be wanted. He only wanted to iiwk at me, and kept muttering 'dis niguer can't sleep dis n'ght.' There were appoals from tbe Southerners to rouss and defend their na'ive soil, but Sherman kept marching steadily on. "When the toldlers took Milledgevihe they oranizrtl a Legislature ol their own and had merry pranks. Beauregard called on the Georgians to rise for tbe defence of tbir sod, as he was hastening to join them. Senator Hill telegraphed lrom Richmond that every citizen with his gun aud every negro with'his spade c iuld do tbe work of the soldier, and members of Congress t-egraihd to assail täe invader in front, fl ir.k and rear b nigat and by da , and let bim bav id rest. At one point tuere were iorndo s on ibo road, and a baudsoino joung officer' foot was blown to put-en. Sherman formed his prisoners int; an advance U-trd, and mud them march .t the bend of bis column and remove te torpdjes. Finally, on the 13 h rUy of December, about a month afttr the departure from Atlanta, Sherman's troops captured Fort McAllister, and his army was on tbe seacoast under the protection of the guns of tbe federal army, and with abundant supplies. THE CAPTURE OF 8AVANNAH. We learn from tbe memoirs of Geu. Sherman that the capture of Savannah was also his own act, against tbe wishes of Gen. Grant. As soon as Sherman arrived tt Savannah Grant wrote to him to fortify himself on the seacoast, leave bebind artilley and cavalry and to bring tbe balance of his command to Richmond. Sherman replied that.be would prefer to take Savannah, thence to march toward Columbia and Raleigh. Thomas bad not attacked Hood as was expected; and Grant, impatient for the contest, had thought of going to Nashville In person, but contented himself with send-

ffg Out Logan relieve Tbomas. In obedience to Sherman's urpncv.

Grant rhamred hi. mtn-t O - .U.UIA tSUUV embarking bis froop?, acd the result was vj-m, uu m vmcr irom vraai io carrv out his own idew and to. marc with his eotira army uy lanu. The difficulty between Gen. Sherman snd Secretary Stanton vas one of the painful events of the war and to be attributed solely, we thiuk, to the peculiar ttnp?rarnent of tho two men. Stanton paid Sherman a visit on the 11th of Jnmrv and ordered all the cotton to be sent Nottb. By the orders cf Sainton ti .-,-. , . . . -- ma milks ncia Obliterated from this cotton, which Sherman uu)(uwnf:,i7oi t um time and even more so now." "For I am assured," he sayn, "that claims, real and ficticious, have been proved up agali st this identical cotton of three times the quantity actually captured, and that reclamations have been allowed for more than th actual quantity captured namely, 31,000 bales." Stanton remained with Sherman for some days, "seemingly VERY CURIOUS ABOUT MATTERS and things In general." He did not think that some of Sherman's generals had shown kindness to the negro, and he complained to Gen. Jefferson C. Davis, Sherman defended his generals, claiming that they felt a sympathy for the negroes, but "of a different tcxi from that of Mr. Stanton, which was not the power of humanity but of pblitics." Thre was a coherence between' Secretary Stanton and a delegation of negroes; and among the questl ins addressed to them was this: "State what is tb feeling of the colored people toward Gen. Shermtn mid how far do thov mrr i., ir.ents and actions as friendly to thetr interests or ctberwise." 'ifae answer was fia they hid the utmo-t confidence in Khimn "as a man in the providence oi'God set ap.rt specially to accomplish this werk." Ttis was certainly a singular interview; and Sbernun, commening upon it, Fayl with naive and, we thiuk, pardons tie vanity: "It certainly was a strarge fact t hat the great secretary of war should have catechized negroes concerning the character of a general who bad commanded 100.0CO men in baM! hai C-ptured ciriep, coi ducted ßö.000 men sue ces3tully across 4,000 miles of hosti e territory and had just brought tens of thousands of freedmen to a place of security. But because be had not loaded down bis army by other hundreds of thousandsof freedmea negroes, it was construed by others as hostile to tbe black race." "Mv aim," says General Sherman, -'was to whip the rebels and humble their pride, and follow them to their inmost recesses to make them ff-ar and dread us. Stanton was rot in good health, although he appeared robust snd strong. He 'complained a eood deal ef internal pains, which threatened his life, and which would compel him soon to quit public office. He stid that tbo price of everything bad so rien, in comparison with tbe depreciated inocev, that there was danger cf rational bank rUDtcv. and hu annpaled to me, as a soldier and patriot, to hurry up matters, go as to brim tha n-art.i a close." .SHERMAN AND LINCOLN. Then came tfce march throuch the Caro linas from Charleston tteadiJv nerthand the burning of Columbia, which General SSerman believes to have been an accident arising from the criminal folly cf tbe confederates in setting fire to their cotton. When the army reached Gcldboro Sherman tock a run nn to Citv ivinf-. tn mat Lincoln. Tbe president remembered him perfectly, and they engaged in tbo mcttinterea'inrr rnnvomattnn tr.inn good long social visit, they took their leave, art.f -Art, . . . 1 Mrs. Grant had nrovided t "Whiia tbe table," says Sherman, "Mrs. Grant Inquired if we had seen Mrs. Lincoln." "No," said the general,"! did not ask for her," and I added that I did not even know that she was on board. Mrs. Grant'ben exclaimed. "Well, you are a pretty pair," and added that our neglect was unpardonable, when the general said we would call again the next day and make amenda for tho n nlnfanHc-l ..liKr The next day they called, and Mrs. Lincoln, . W. n .. . 1 ... . . . , . uu u iiou wen, uia not see inem. ueu. Sberman gives full notes of his conversation 1-. -w- . wuu i rebiucni jmcoin. "Of all tho men I ever have met be seemed to possess more of the elements of greatness, combined with goodues, thau any otter. Wi en at rest or 1jS ening,- nis legs and arms seemed to bang almost iifelees, and his face was careworn and haggard; but tho moment be began to talk bis lace lightened up. his tall form as it wero unfolded, and he was tke very imparsotiation of good humor and fellowship, f he last words I recall as addressed to eie were that he would feel better when I was back at GoMsboro. We parted at tbe gangway of the River Queen about noon of M rch 8, and I never saw bim again." During this conversation Gen. fhermcn asked President Llncjln wbat should be done to Jefferson Davis aud thA political leaders. "As to Jefferson Davis," says Sherman, "Mr. Lincoln was hardly at libfity to speak his mind fully, but intimated that he bad better clear out, escape the country, only it would not do for him to say bo openly. As usual he illustrated h S rueatdug by a s ory. A man who once bad taken tne total abstinence pledge wben visiting a friend was invited to take a drink, but declined on the score of his pledge.when hia friend suggested lemonade, which wan accepted. In preparing the lemonade the friend pointed to the brandy bottle, and said that the lemonade would be more palatable if he were to pour in a little brandy, and his guest said if be could do so unbeknown to him, he would not object, from which illus t ration I inferred that Mr. Davis was to escape unbeknown to him." THE SURRENDER AND THE BEL. STANTON QUARThe surrender of Lee and the assassination of Lincoln came swiftly upon each other. Sherman first learned of it in a private despatch on the mornirg of April 17. He kept the news quiet until he had occasion to see Genetal Joseph Johnston, to discuss the surrender. "As soon as we were alone together," says Sherman, sneaking cf his visit to General Johnston, " I showed him the despatch announcing Mr. Lincoln's assassination, and watched bim closely. The perspiration came out in large drops on his forehead and be did not attempt to conceal bis distress, lie denounced the act as a disgrace to tbe age, and hoped I did not charge it to tbe Confederate government. 1 told bim I could not believe that be or General Lee or .the officers of tbe confederate army could possibly be privy to acts ot assays nation, but I would not say as much for Jefferson Davis, George Sanders, and men ot that tiibe. We talked about the effect of this act upon the country at large and tbe armies, and he realized that it made my situation extremely delicate." Sher man urged upon Johnston the propriety of surrender. This the Confederate general admitted, saying that any further fighting would be murder. Out of this conversation arose a cartel signed between Johnston and Sberman, Geo. Breckenridge being present and consenting thereto. Tais cartel or basis of agreement agreed to recommend the restoratiou of tbe states to their old rights and privileges. Sherman contended that b', in doing this, had followed out tbe ad vice of Mr. Lincoln, and certainly bis information on tnat subject justifies this conclusion; but Johnson was president, and the country was maddened at tbe assassination of the president. There was no cry so loud as tbat of revenge. Stanton, who, with all his great qualities as an organizer and secretary, bad an imperious, ungovernable temper, and

disapproved Sherman's career, and virtually disgraced bim by sending Grant to supersede bim. lie issuKl orders to Generals Sheridan, Scofield. and W ilson, and o?ter commanders, not to obey Sherman's orders. It was thought that Sherman had been atraitor.and a despatch was put in circulation.uader the apparent sanction of the Secretarv ot .V ar, to the effect thai Jefferson Davis bail escaped with a milhoa ot specie from Richmond banks, with which they - hoped to make terms vith Sherman or some other commander, for an escape to Mexico. It is hard to realize that so cruel, so unfounded an accusation could have beeu sanctioned bv a Cabin' agsinst an officer of the distinguished fame and service of General Sherman. General Gr.nt went to North Carolina but behaved the utmost delicacy toward General Sberman, not even appearlce in the army but allowing Sberman to complete bis surrender witb Johnston. Tbe millions of specie which Jefferson Davis was carrying South in wagons, turned out to be a few thousand dollars tbat exmld have been carried In a valise. Sherman came North with his army and boiling with rage. "To say," he says, "that 1 was merely angry at tbe tone and substance of tbis public proceeding of the war department could hardly express the state of my feelings. I was outraged beyond measure and was resolved to resent Ihe Ji suit, cost what it would." declined Halleck's proffers of friendship because he bad repeated the orders of Stanton over his own signature. He refused to allow Halleck to review one of his corp. On reaching Washington he called on President Johnson, ,who took paics to disavow Stanton's war built tin. G-neral Grant endeavored to effect a recoDciliarbn between Sher

man ana Stan ton, but as the secretarv made no friendly advauces, Sherman "resolved to rebCllt Wbat hfl .-.na;Horc-t an insult as publicly as It was made." HOME AO A IN. "On tLe2Uh of May, lbGö, the armies were tobe reviewed; Sherman brought bis wife and her father.the venerable Thomas Ivwintr. to see the sight. The whole army oi Georia tivouacked around tbe capital. The morning of tbe 21th of May was extremely beautiful. Punctually at 9 o'clock, attended by Howard and his staff, he rode elowlv down the avenue, crowds of men, woman and children flocking around hi ci. As be neared the brick bouse on Lafayette square he observed Soward, fefble and bandeed.at one cf the windows. "I moved," says Sherman, "in that direction and took niTmv hat to Mr. Saward, who sat a: tbe window He . recognized tbe Palute and returned it, and then we hurried on steadily, passed the president, suluticg with our sword. All on bis stand arose and acknowledged the salute. Then turning isto tho gate of the Presidential grounds we le.'t our burses snd orderlies and went upon the ttand, where I found Mrs. Sherman with her father and son. Parsing them I shook bands with tbe president, Gen. Grant, aod each member ol the cabinet. As I apnroaed Mr. Stanton he oilered me his band, bul I declined it publicly, and the fact was universally not ced. I then took my post on the left of the president, and for six hours and a half stood while the army passed. It waS in my judgment the most magnificent army in existence; 65,000 men in splendid phvsique, who had just completed a march of "nearly 2.000 miles in a Lostile country. Division after division passed, each commander of an army corps coming on the stand daring the passage of his command, to be presented to tbe president and cabioet, and spectators of the steadiness aLd barmoniousness of the tread, the careful dress on the guides, the uuilorm Intervals between tbe companies. AH eyes were directly to the front, and the tattered and bullet-riven Mags, festooned with liowers, all attracted unirersal notice. For -six hours and a half that strong tread of the army of tbe West resounded along Pennsylvania avenue; cot a soul of that vast crowd of spectators left its place, and when the rear of the column passed by thousands of spectators still lingered to express their sense ot confidence in the strength of the government which could claim such an armv." " RAIDS FOR- REVENUE. TnE RING OFFICALS TO ES D EGA PIT ATE 1 IN ALL CASES AND PROSECUTED IN SOME. The Washington special to tbe Chicago Tribune of Friday, says: The revenue officers are beginning to consider tbe causes which have rendered the existence of tho whisky ring possible. Comniiskiocer Douglass maintains that the frauds are in no sense due to the present collection system, which be invented, but aro solely ih,tributable to the elishocesty of the officers. Other government official insist that the present sjtem proceed upon the assumption tbat tbe subordinate government officials are always likely to be honest. The checks of the system are sucn that two or three dishonest '-fficiala cau successfully conceal frauds. The latter class say that the whisky fraud? are due to tbe ablition of tbe moiety system, and to tbe increase of the tax last wiuter. They claim tbat from the time that tbe moiety system in the internal revenue bureau was abolished, the present whisky ring began. The commissioner of internal revenue, for the last to 5ears, has had a fund of only ?100,000 "which could be used for purchasing information against fradulentdistillers. The maximum amount that could be paid in any one case was 10 per cent, of the sum collecte d upon judgmentr am' in most instances tbe commissioner refused to agree to pay so large a per cent. The consequence has been that the Treasury department since that time has scarcely received any information from outsiders. "The classes of men who would be likely to have any in their possession could receive from tbe distillers a larger sum for eilecce. As an illustration, it is urged that very considerable amounts of delinquent taxes which are now being collected from railroad companies bave been for the most part COLLECTED UNDER THK MOIETY SYSTEM. It can be authoritatively stated that theieare no charges In connection with lis whisky developments which in any way reflect upon the personal character of Supervisor Munn or collector Wadsworth; but from all that can be gathered it seems certain that Moan will lose bis office, as well as all the supervisors in tbe states where these lrauds have been committed. It is said that legal proceedings will be commenced against Supervisor McDonald, of St. Louis. Tbe secrttary of the treasury appears to I think tbat tbe removal of the princlnal officers ia essential to the good of the service. There is scarcely any Erobability tbat Munn will be able to retain is position. With him will go the gangers and storekeepers immediately connected with the distilleries seized. An order for the suspension, if not the absolute removal of these minor officers will probably be forwarded to-morrow. The charges made against some of tbem are serious. From all that can be learned Phil Wadsworth i likely to escape tbe fate of Dan Munn; not, as the treasury officers put it, on account of any superior virtue, but because he has not been long enoegb in bis place to be held responsible for the tricks of thering. Dr. Dyer, who ia Wadsworth's bondsman, has been looking into tbe matter, and does not appear to be uneasy about the bond. It has come out that one ot the persons who has been making charges against tbe integrity of the revenue officials in this city was recently kicked outof the house of "ne of them fot presuming to offer him a bribe.