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will also be a victim.
See in my case how soon all past services are ignored or forgotten.
Excuse this letter.
Burn it, but heed my friendly counsel.
The lust for power in political minds is the strongest passion of life, and impels ambitious men ( Richard III. ) to deeds of infamy.
Ever your friend,
Endorsement by General Sherman on above.
March 16, 1876.
I recall from the within letter the feelings of bitterness that filled my soul at that dread epoch of time.
The letter must have been written hastily and in absolute confidence — a confidence in General Grant that I then felt and still feel.
Because I sent to Washington terms that recognized the war as over, and promising the subjugated enemy a treatment that would have been the extreme of generosity and wisdom, I was denounced by the Secretary of War as a traitor, and my own soldiers commanded to disobey my orders; and this denunciation was spread broadcast over the world.
Now, after twelve long eventful years of political acrimony, we find ourselves compelled to return to the same point of history, or else permit the enemy of that day to become the absolute masters of the country.
To-day I might act with more silence, with more caution and prudence, because I am twelve years older.
But these things did occur, these feelings were felt, and inspired acts which go to make up history; and the question now is not, was I right or wrong?
but, did it happen?
and is the record of it worth anything as an historic example? W. T. Sherman, General.
General Sherman to General Grant.
Headquarters, military division of the Mississippi, Washington, D. C., May 28, 1865.
Lieutenant-General U. S. Grant, Commander-in-Chief, Washington, D. C.:
dear General: As I am to-day making my arrangements to go West, preparatory to resuming my proper duties, I think it proper to Lieutenant-General U. S. Grant, Commander-in-Chief, Washington, D. C.:
