ST. LOUIS, May 2, 1862.
ALFRED SANDERS, Esq. – Dear
Sir: Reading in the Weekly Gazette of yesterday your
editorial on Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant, I am induced to add a word. I knew Gen. Grant in 1858, was a collector of
house rents in this city. He was then
strictly temperate, but of inactive habits.
For coolness and perfect equanimity he is justly noted. All West Pointers pride themselves on those
qualities. But one who estimates the
General with impartial eyes will accord him the possession of even the
qualities for “a third rate” commander.
Aside from habits of intemperance which have resumed their sway after an
interregnum of some years, the battles of Belmont, Fort Henry, Fort Donelson
and Pittsburg Landing have fully tested him.
And curious it is, and sad as curious, to note how the successful
results of those fights, so far as successful, have been passed to his credit
at Washington.
At Belmont, his utter neglect to protect his rear, and to
station a few field pieces to prevent the enemy from crossing, led to a
terrible reverse and slaughter of the best of troops, and the Iowa boys poured
out their blood like water, in vain.
At Fort Henry Grant was to co-operate with Com. Foote, but
failed to get his forces to the rear of the fort for four hours after the
surrender. The rebel infantry instead of
being bagged, as they might, had abundant time to “skedaddle,” which they did
effectually.
At Fort Donelson he was off the field during all the
important part of that bloody Saturday.
His friends say he was conferring with Com. Foote; others say he was
intoxicated, but his admirers are compelled to admit that he went to confer
with Foote at two or three o’clock Saturday morning, a distance of four or five miles, and did not return to the field till late in the day,
when the fortunes of the day had been turned by that advance which, the N. Y. Herald says, was ordered by Capt.
Hillyer, of the staff – a mere civilian – on his own responsibility. Gen. Grant’s ablest advocate says the roads
were in such condition he could not return in time – four miles!
Yet, before the facts of the affair at Fort Donelson where
known, except the surrender, the President nominates Grant a Major
General! Wittily, though, profanely, has
it been said Providence ought to be made a Major General, for it had given us
two victories for which Grant got the credit!
But the climax of incompetency – criminal incompetency – was
yet wanting. It was attained at
Pittsburg Landing. Against orders he
placed his forces on the west side of
the river, on the plea that no good position could be found on the other side,
and against all rule he placed the rawest troops of his command in front, under
command of Prentiss, a notoriously inefficient officer. This, too, in the face of an active enemy,
distant, at the farthest, only 18 miles.
Add to this that no pickets were kept out at any proper distance, and
what more could Beauregard have asked for?
The attempt has been made to show that Prentiss, alone, had
no pickets out, but this is disproved by the universal testimony that all the brigades were alike
surprised. None of them had any notice
of the enemy’s advance.
I have the information from a rebel surgeon, who was in the
advance of the rebel army, that on the Saturday evening before the attack of
Sunday morning, he, from his position, saw within his glass the evening parade
of one of our regiments, and heard the drums and usual noises of the camp. He further says that the rebel advance was in
readiness to begin the attack on Saturday, but did not, because the reserve
were not in supporting distance. This
surgeon is known here by union men as a gentleman, and one who entered the
rebel army merely for the purposes of professional advancement, and not for
love of the cause. He has no motive for
falsehood, and is corroborated by his fellow prisoners.
Thus the army was surprised and the thousands slaughtered,
for whom tears are flowing through half a continent. It was in Halleck’s fitly chosen phrase, “the heroic endurance” of the troops on
Sunday, which saved them from annihilation, that their fresh reinforcements of
Monday, that rolled back, but did not rout, their enemies, already weary with
slaughter.
Again, before the facts were known, Gen. Grant was
officially commended by Mr. Secretary Stanton, who seems to have felt that as
somebody had been hurt, somebody deserved praise, and so he caught upon the
readiest name and praised it.
I am happy to say that no newspaper of this city has dared,
editorially, so far as I know, to say one word in favor or exculpation of Gen.
Grant on the field of Shiloh, beyond testimony to his personal bravery. But enough of General Grant. The country has had too much of him. His advancement has been in the teeth of his
unfitness, and demerits; his successes have been in spite of disgraceful
blunders; let us hope that hereafter, Providence will give us greater victories
with good generalship, than those which have been won without it.
General Halleck is in the field now, and his sleepless
vigilance, instructed by the late battle, will not permit a second surprise.
The Lion of St. Louis just now is Colonel Jennison, sent
here in close confinement by a drunken pro-slavery General of doubtful loyalty,
and unachieved promotion. I refer to
Gen. Sturgis, who, after a winter spent at the bar of King’s saloon,
alternating between treasonable talk to rebels, and swallowing brandy smashes,
now has signalized himself by the attempted disgrace of the peerless foe of
Border Ruffians, and bushwhacking secessionists.
Nothing has so stirred up St. Louis for a long time. The rebels, open and concealed, rejoiced
greatly to know that the noted Jayhawker was here in durance vile. The Republican
fairly shrieked for joy. It counseled
indictments, and I know not what treatment.
Here was a noted enemy powerless,
and with true rebel cruelty to cowardice, the Republican began to trample on him.
The Union sentiment of the city stoutly demanded that Col. Jennison be
allowed his parole, as well as the rebels who parade our streets. It was soon granted. The Republican
at once softened its tone. – Soon came permission to Col. Jennison to report
himself on his parole only by letter; the Republican
is mute. The morning, its last crumb
of comfort is in the apologetic card of the cowardly Sturgis, who cowering
under the storm of public indignation, now seeks to evade the responsibility of
Jennison’s arrest, by showing that he had instigators to do a deed for which he
has yet dared to state no reason, and prefer no charges.
Jennison takes matters coolly. He is a wiry young man, with a keen eye, and
a lip of iron; but of gentle manners, and such pleasant address that Gen.
Sturgis wrote to the Provost Marshal General, to warn him of the “seductive
manners” of his victim!
Jennison has spoken twice in the city. Many Union men are prejudiced against him,
and many fear to be identified with him on account of his fearless avowal that
he is a “real fighting abolitionist.”
The Germans regard him highly.
Anti-slavery in their opinions before the rebellion, they are now
abolitionists. Jennison makes war after
the fashion of their own hearts. He says
that “rebels have no rights which loyal men are bound to respect.” No wonder the abused and vilified Germans
admire him.
Right or wrong, Jennison has been shamefully treated. If I mistake not, the country will see him
righted. It will not tolerate the
conduct of Sturgis and Denver, and there is reason to suppose they will shortly
be relieved of any responsibility for such warriors as Jennison and Montgomery.
Over the capture of New Orleans there is great rejoicing,
for vast interests here depend on the resumption of commerce with that city,
which must soon happen unless Farragut fails to follow up his success with
energy, and does not send his gunboats to co-operate with Foote on Memphis.
The weather is excellent, and reports this morning from
below indicate that Halleck is taking advantage of it, and will soon, if not
now, be upon Corinth.
Yesterday regiment after regiment of infantry and cavalry
moved through our streets, on their way to the transports in waiting to take
them, as we suppose, to Pittsburg Landing.
Whence do so many come? is the current inquiry.
Business has revived to some extent, but still suffers. It cannot prosper till the river is opened to
New Orleans, to afford an outlet for our pork and grain.
Rents are rising, and real estate is also on the ascendant.
I hope to soon give you some items relative to the
emancipation movement here, but lack time and space to-day.
Yours truly.
E.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette,
Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, May 7, 1862, p. 2
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