John Harrison Wilson, The life of Charles Henry Dana

Several other officers of Grant's Western staff were described with less commendation, as will be seen by reference to the Recollections, where full names, for obvious reasons, were omitted.

Of William T. Sherman, Dana always wrote in terms of commendation. He first met him shortly after his arrival at Milliken's Bend, and in the letter to his friend Huntington, already quoted, it will be recalled that he speaks of him especially as “a man of genius and of the widest intellectual acquisitions.” It is but natural that he should have been from the first favorably impressed by the sparkling conversation, the great intelligence, and the extensive knowledge of military and political history displayed by that officer on every suitable occasion.

Later, in an account of the differences between Sherman and Stanton growing out of the terms of surrender granted to Joseph E. Johnston's army in North Carolina, Dana, by a few vigorous touches, strongly accentuates Sherman's peculiarities. After stating that the secretary was deeply indignant with the general for meddling with matters beyond his jurisdiction, he adds:

... No doubt his indignation was intensified by his dislike of Sherman. The two men were antagonistic by nature. Sherman was an effervescent, mercurial, expansive man, springing abruptly to an idea, expressing himself enthusiastically on every subject, and often without reflection. Stanton could not accommodate himself to this temperament. ... Dana, Recollections of the Civil War (D. Appleton & Co.), p. 289.

Before leaving this subject it may be well to say that no reconciliation ever took place between these historical characters. General Grant made an effort, at the great review which was held in Washington after the close of the