BOOKS.
GENERAL SHERMAN'S MEMOIRS.* [FIRST NOTICE.] No name in connection with the great struggle against the Slave Power, some time predominant in the United States, is better known than that of William Tecumseh Sherman. Yet although his exploits during the prolonged strife were on every tongue, while the "March to the Sea" is still fresh in the popular memory, we can well believe that his own account of him- self and his own "recollections of events" will be heartily welcomed in this country. Apparently tired of waiting for the publication of "abundant materials" relating to the war, "buried in the War Department," General Sherman formed the resolve of publishing his Memoirs, "not as a history of the war, or even a complete account of all the incidents in which the writer bore a part," but as a contribution which may assist the future historian, and we may add, one which will certainly gratify the present generation of readers. The simplicity, almost home- liness of the style, so manly and direct, like good talk, the frank- ness of a fearless mind, combined with the genuine interest in- hering in so much that he has to tell, assure him an audience which will be by no means confined to the military world. Indeed, more than a third of the first volume has little to do with soldier- ing, but contains the recorded experiences of Sherman in his younger days, long before the Union was shaken by the boundless ambition of the slaveowners. General Sherman does not go • Memoirs of General William 7'. Sherman. Written by Himself. In 2 vols. London : Henry S. Ring and Co.
back to West Point, where he graduated in 1840, sixth in his -class, and received at once a commission in the 3rd Artillery.
Nor does he tell us anything about the Seminole war in Florida, probably because his share in that dreary business was slight.
He also passes over the time almost entirely spent in South Carolina, from 1842 until the early months of 1846, when he was sent to superintend the collection of recruits in Ohio. At that time the Mexican war was in full blast, and Sherman, eager to be nearer the scene of active operations, promptly threw up the recruiting service, when, in answer to an application at Washington, he was ordered to set out and join the 3rd Artillery and sail for California. HaNeck and Ord, each one year his senior, sailed in the same transport with the young artilleryman, and he records that the attention which the officers paid to the men during the voyage was so well rewarded, that although they were two hundred days at sea, yet on landing, "every man was able to leave the ship, and march up the hill to the fort at Monterey, California, carrying his own knapsack and equipments." In that newly-acquired territory he was destined to live many years ; indeed, his connection with it, broken by short intervals of activity elsewhere, continued until 1859. Apart from its intrinsic interest as a sketch of Cali- fornia during a period marked by the gold discoveries, the narra- tive has a more striking value, in that it illustrates the peculiar characteristics which made Sherman a great commander. His qualities from the outset were directness, a single-hearted devo- tion to the work in hand, a steadfast will, a thoroughly frank character which inspired confidence, that "capacity for taking pains" which some philosophers call genius, and the even rarer power which enables a man to build a solid judgment upon a basis of profound insight. No doubt the severe stress of a terrible war developed and ripened those qualities, nevertheless his unaffected narrative of what befell him before he was tried in the furnace of civil strife shows distinctly why it was that he became a bold as well as prudent subordinate, and finally a victorious captain.
But these were days of calm ; the services he had to render were rarely other than those of a routine order, if anything in a new country could be entitled to that highly-respectable epithet. At the outset, the United States was represented by several officers, among whom Fremont was conspicuous, each claiming to be
Governor of California ; but the arrival of Kearney, a thorough soldier of the old school, soon settled the question. Fremont, by whom Sherman "was not much impressed," gave way, and Kearney, who was afterwards killed in the great war, transmitted his authority to a Colonel Mason, who selected Sherman to be his adjutant-general. It happened that one Nash, appointed alcalde of Sonoma by the officer who first took possession of the country, refused to give way, when a more regularly-constituted authority nominated a successor. It was regarded as a " test case," and as the local military officer, a volunteer captain, begged to be excused the "unpleasant duty" of arresting Nash, Sherman said to his chief, "Send me up to Sonoma, and I will settle it quick enough." The difficulty was to reach the scene of action. Taking one soldier with him, he rode to Yerba Buena, afterwards San Francisco, obtained a boat and eight sailors from Commodore Biddle, and keeping his object strictly secret, sailed up to Sonoma Creek. Landing, be left four men to guard the boat, and took on the other four. As Nash was absent, he waited until the evening, and on his return surrounded the house in which he lived with the family of a lawyer named Green. Enter- ing, he arrested Nash, cowed the lawyer, and took his prisoner to San Francisco, whence he was sent to Monterey. It need not be said that Nash was treated kindly by all, and let off, on a mere promise to surrender his post in due form. "The right to appoint or remove from civil office was never again questioned
in California during the military regime." This is a trifling inci-
dent, but it shows the man. Under more trying circumstances we find the same sound judgment, courage, decision, and pains- taking. It is worth remarking that the first ounce of "placer gold" found in California was brought to Colonel Mason's office, and tested by Sherman. At that time quicksilver was the principal object of attraction, but news of " gold " at Sutter's Mill rapidly spread, with results so well known to all. Here is an interesting anecdote, showing how San Francisco came by its name. There was a certain Dr. Semple, "seven feet high, and very intelligent," who owned a ferry, and edited a paper :—
" Foreseeing, as he thought, the growth of a great city somewhere on the Bay of San Francisco, he selected Carquinez Straits as its location, and obtained from General Vallejo a title to a league of land, on condi- tion of building up a city thereon to bear the name of Vallejo's wife. This was Francisca Benicia ; accordingly, the new city was named 4Francisca.' At this time, the town near the month of the bay was known universally as Yerba Buena ; but that name was not known abroad, although San Francisco was familiar to the whole civilised! world. Now, some of the chief men of Yerba Buena, Folsom, Howard,. Leiderdorf, and others, knowing the importance of a name, saw theft- danger, and by some action of the ayuntamiento, or town council, changedi the name of Yerba Buena to 'San Francisco.' Dr. Semple was outrage& at their changing the name to one so like his of Francisco, and he in turn changed his town to the other name of Mrs. Vallejo, viz., 'Benicia,' and Benicia it has remained to this day. I am convinced that this little circumstance was big with consequences. That Benicia has the best natural site for a commercial city I am satisfied ; and had half the money and half the labour since bestowed upon San Francisco been ex- pended at Benicia, we should have at this day a city of palaces on the Carquinez Straits. The name of 'San Francisco,' however, fixed the city where it now is ; for every ship in 184849, which cleared from any of the world, knew the name of San Francisco, but not Yerba. Buena or Benicia, and accordingly, ships consigned to California came pouring in with their contents, and were anchored in front of Yerba Buena, the first town."
In due time, General Persifer F. Smith relieved Mason. The new arrival brought his wife and several servants. But they alb ran away, save one, a negro boy, Isaac, who was most unselfish and faithful :— "Many a time," writes Sherman, "have I seen General Smith with a can of preserved meat in his hand, going towards the house, take off his hat on meeting a negro, and on being asked the reason of his politeness he would answer that the negroes were the only real gentlemen in California.. I confess that the fidelity of Colonel Mason's boy 'Aaron,' and General. Smith's boy 'Isaac,' at a time when every white man laughed at promises. as something made to be broken, has given me a kindly feeling of respect for the negroea, and makes me hope they will find an honourable.
status in the jumble of affairs in which we now live." -
Not long afterwards the officers of an infantry regiment had to ride out and arrest half a company which deserted, carrying arms and kit. Sherman's skill and knowledge of the country enabled him to overtake them, and by putting a bold face on it, the whole- were taken and marched back by seven officers. In 1850 Sher- man returned to the Atlantic coast with despatches, and at New York saw General Scott. "The General questioned me pretty closely in regard to things on the Pacific coast, especially the poli- tics, and startled me with the assertion that our country was ors the eve of a terrible civil war." At Washington, of course, he. saw Mr. Crawford, War Minister. This official, he says, "ques- tioned me somewhat about California, but seemed little interested in the subject, except so far as it related to slavery, and the- routes through Texas." While in the capital he wished to hear Mr. Webster speak, what proved to be his last speech in the Senate, and going thither, could not find a single place, the galleries were so full. He then tells the following humorous. story :— "I had only a limited personal acquaintance with any of the Senators,. but had met Mr. Corwin quite often at Mr. Ewing's house and I also- knew that be had been extremely friendly to my father in his life-time so I ventured to send in to him my card, 'W. T. S., First Lieutenant, Third Artillery.' He came to the door promptly, when I said, Mr. Corwin, I believe Mr. Webster is to speak to-day.'—His answer was, 'Yes, he has the floor at one o'clock.' I then added that I was extremely anxious to hear said he, why don't you go into the- gallery.' I explained that it was full, and I had tried every access, but found all jammed with people.—' Well,' said he 'what do you want of me ? ' I explained that I would like him to take me on the floor of the Senate ; that I had often seen from the gallery persons on the floor,. no better entitled to it than L He then asked, in his quizzical way, Are you a foreign ambassador? No.'—' Are you the Governor of a. State ?'—'No.'—'Are you a Member of the other House? '—'Certainly not.'—' Have you ever had a vote of thanks by name.'—' No.'—' Well, those are the only privileged members.' I then told him he knew well enough who I was, and that if he chose he could take me in. He then said, 'Have you any impudence?' I told
him, 'A reasonable amount, if occasion called for Do you think you could become so interested in my conversation as not to notice the door-keeper?' (pointing to him). I told him that there was not the- least doubt of it, if he would tell me one of his funny stories. He then, took my arm, and led me a turn in the vestibule, talking about some indifferent matter, but all the time directing my looks to his left hand, towards which he was gesticulating with his right ; and thus we approached the door-keeper, who began asking me, 'Foreign ambassa- dor? Governor of a State ? Member of Congress?' &c., but I caught Corwin's eye, which said plainly, Don't mind him, pay attention to me,' and in this way we entered the Senate-chamber by a side-door. Once in, Corwin said, 'Now you can take care of yourself,' and I thanked him, cordially. I found a seat close behind Mr. Webster, and near General Scott, and heard the whole of the speech. It was heavy in the extreme, and I confess that I was disappointed and tired long before it was. finished. No doubt the speech was full of fact and argument, but it had none of the fire of oratory or intensity of feeling that marked all of Mr. Clay's efforts."
In 1853 Sherman resigned his commission in the Army, induced to do so by the prospect held out to him by friends of a lucrative career in California as a banker. The whole story of his banking experiences is very interesting, as it illustrates his peculiar char- acteristics in many ways. Not the least striking passages are those which describe the panic of 1855, and the methods whereby, amid the crash of financial credit, he carried his bank safely through with very little loss. It also shows how completely he had secured the confidence of all parties by unfaltering integrity and spotless honour. In like manner, we may point to his brief relations with the famous Vigilance Committee, which he was ready to coerce in his character as Major-General of Militia, but being prevented by the prevarication and weakness of General Wool, he resigned, saying that for the future he would "leave public affairs severely alone," a sentiment frequently rising to the surface in a mind disgusted with the shameless intrigues of self- seeking politicians. Afterwards he was a banker in New York, always, however, as agent for others, and although the house of which his was a branch failed, none lost a cent by the misfortune. Having given up finance, Sherman became a lawyer at St. Louis, and next Superintendent of a Military College, just established in the State of Louisiana. Here he was engaged in working out the plan when the election of Mr. Lincoln served as a pretext for that open hostility to the Union so long cherished in secret by the slaveowners. This portion of Sherman's narrative may be read with profit by those who study the origin of the Secession war. In November, 1860, says Sherman, "no man ever approached me offensively to ascertain my views, or my proposed course of action in case of secession, and no man in or out of authority ever tried to induce me to take part in steps designed to lead towards dis- union. I think my several opinions were well known and under- stood,—namely, that 'secession was treason, was war,' and that in no event could the North and West permit the Mississippi river to pass out of their control." When the Louisianians seized United States arms, and sent them to Sherman, then com- mandant at the Central Arsenal, he could endure no more, and at once resigned ; his resignation was accepted with the deepest regret, and he left the South, certainly with the respect and esteem of its people. At this period, Sherman's clear perception of the impending danger rendered him an object of pity to the Washing- ton politicians who believed that the South would give way. Even Mr. Lincoln had no true notion of the facts. Senator Sherman took his brother to see the President, telling him Colonel Sherman, fresh from Louisiana, might give some information. " Ah !' said Mr. Lincoln, how are they getting along down there ?' I said, 'They think they are getting along swimmingly ; they are pre- paring for war.' 'Oh well !' said he, 'I guess we'll manage to keep house.' I was silenced and said no more, and we soon left." Indeed, Sherman retired in dudgeon to the presidency of a Western railroad, "damning the politicians generally, and saying, You have got things in a hell of a fix, and you may get out of them as best you can." But within a month he was appointed Colonel of the Thirteenth Regulars, and fairly launched in a career which gave ample scope for his truly great qualities.
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