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I inquired if it were true that he was going away. He said, "Yes." I then inquired the reason, and he said "Sherman, you know. You know that I am in the way here. I have stood it as long as I can, and can endure it no longer." I inquired where he was going to, and he said, "St. Louis." I then asked if he had any business there, and he said, "Not a bit." I then begged him to stay, illustrating his case by my own.
Before the battle of Shiloh, I had been cast down by a mere newspaper
assertion of "crazy;" but that single battle had given me new
life, and now I was in high feather; and I argued with him that,
if he went away, events would go right along, and he would be left
out; whereas, if he remained, some happy accident might restore
him to favor and his true place. He
certainly appreciated my
friendly advice, and promised to wait awhile; at all events, not to
go without seeing me again, or communicating with me. Very soon after
this, I was ordered to Chewalla, where, on the 6th of June, I received
a note from him, saying that he had reconsidered his intention,
and would remain. I cannot find the
note, but my answer I
have kept: Chewalla,
June 6, 1862. Major-General
GRANT. My
DEAR SIR: I have just received your note, and am rejoiced at your
conclusion to remain; for you could not be quiet at home for a week
when armies were moving, and rest could not relieve your mind of
the gnawing sensation that injustice had been done you. *** You are
now Washington's legitimate successor, and occupy a position
of almost dangerous elevation; but if you can continue as heretofore
to be yourself, simple, honest, and unpretending, you will
enjoy through life the respect and love of friends, and the homage of
millions of human beings who will award to you a large share for
securing to them and their descendants a government of law and stability. *** General Grant denied diplomatic mission *** He
inquired of me in a humorous way, "Sherman,
what special hobby do you intend to adopt?" I inquired what
he meant, and he explained that all men had their special weakness
or vanity, and that it was wiser to choose one's own than to
leave the newspapers to affix one less acceptable, and that for his
part he had chosen the"horse," so that when anyone tried to pump
him he would turn the conversation to his "horse."
I answered that
I would stick to the "theatre and balls," for I was always fond
of seeing young people happy, and did actually acquire a reputation
for "dancing," though I had not attempted the waltz, or anything
more than the ordinary cotillon, since the war. |
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