"A fourth? start, eyes!
What! will the line stretch out to the crack of doom?
Another yet? — a seventh: I'll see no more:
And yet the eighth appears, who bears a glass,
Which shows me many more."
The returning army of more than an hundred thousand veterans, which set out from Chattanooga on the 4th of May, 1864, returning describes a half circle, and turns its front from the South due North, in the horizon of whose sky glimmers the newly arisen star pf peace. Thus with Gloster can our soldiers say —
"Now is the winter of our disponent
Made glorious summer by this son of York,
And all the clouds that lowered upon our house
In the deep bosom of the ocean buried.
Now are out brow boun,d with victorious wreaths;
Our bruised arms hang up for monuments;
Our stern alarums changed to merry meetings;
Our dreadful marches to delightful measures.”
Useless arms, cannon, drums and trumpets, they bear them no more to slaughter, but upon the mm walls of forts and arsenals let them hang, sentinels of a peace never again to be broken by intestine and fratricidal war:
"Farewell the plumed troop and the big wars,
That make ambition virtue! Oh, farewell
Farewell the neighing steed and the shrill trump,
The spirit-stirring drum, the ear-piercing fife,
The royal banner, and all quality,
Pride, pomp and circumstances of glorious war.
And O, you mortal engines, whose rude throats
The immortal Jove's dread clamors counterfeit,
Farewell! Othello's occupation's gone!"
The appearance of the troops, as they moved along Pennsylvania Avenue, presented a grand and thrilling spectacle; looking up the avenue there was a continuous moving line as far as the eye could reach, of National, State, Division, Brigade and other flags. Many of them were new, the stars of, gold glittering in the sun, they strongly contrasted with flags borne in the procession, tattered in battle or mere shreds. The flag staffs were decorated with flowers and bouquets.
SHERMAN AND HIS GENERALS.
A tremendous cheer announced the appearance of Tecumseh. It extended along the whole procession, for a space of two miles, and probably not less than a quarter of a million of persons were sending forth their acclamations at the same time. It was such a shout of unalloyed joy, enhanced by a feeling of triumph, as probably never was heard before. Sherman was elegantly dressed; and during the applause, he took off his hat and waved it repeatedly over his head in the air, — a movement which protracted the applause for some time. He looked in splendid health and spirits as at any time during the past four years and indeed the scene before him was one which he must consider as amongst the most remarkable of his life.
Sherman has a high and square forehead, firm mouth and muscular face, full of proud and savage energy. He was accompanied by Howard, a true soldier of the most straight-forward and sterling kind, brave without knowing it, and amiable without thinking of it Logan, black and swarthy, was at the head of the column, and was received with cheers. He rode a splendid steed, caparisoned with floral wreaths, and was accompanied by his staff, who appeared to share his honors. Hazen, a brilliant officer, his face so open and so sympathetic, that at the first glance, you recognize the finished gentleman and accomplished soldier. Frank Blair with % his broad and jovial countenance. In addition to these Corps commanders there were scores of Major and Brigadier Generals. This review of the armies was the most imposing pageant that ever took place on the continent — it was indeed a sublime affair and suggestive of the trials and victories of the great Republic.
As to the history of the armies of the East and West all are familiar with them. The one was raised on border farms, and by the necessities of border life, had become inured to hardship, and, prompt in the use of weapons; it fought a people like itself, but less self-reliant, and, with the aid of Eastern sailors, broke the South in half. At length, and under the shelter of leviathans in iron, pierced the country as far as the river sources. Then while the army of Meade held the rebel government in its throttle, that of Sherman broke from the rivers and swept the Gulf States, till by the most prodigious marches on record, it cut off all the seaboard cities from their defending armies, and in turn kept Johnson in thrall.
Then Meade, quitting also the shelter of the river, stormed Petersburg and Richmond, Which fell together. They finished the war, each subjugating an army, and while history will do them equal and Tike justice, the folks of the present day wished to see them compared, as they appeared upon review. They had equal chances in the procession. They occupied six hours each in passing. The Army of the West lost Hooker in the review; that of the East lost Sheridan. Meade's army had only a part of its infantry — Sherman's none of its cavalry. The superior conversance of Meade with Washington City enabled him to so defile his forces that not a gap occurred along the entire route; but Sherman's men once or twice broke in sections for long distances, marring the unity of his procession.
Meade's army was composed of the most convenient levies — Sherman's of the most individual. The army of the East was composed of citizens — that of the West of pioneers. A gentleman — socially so-called — would have preferred the display of Meade. His men had more readable faces, better characterization, and were less wild and outre in their expression.
A pioneer would have applauded the review of Sherman, because his men were hardier, knottier, and wiryer. Meade represented the army of the East being a graceful and accomplished commander. Logan, and not Sherman, was the West's representative soldier. The army of the West marched, as a rule, better than the East, if rigid mathematical time-keeping is the best of good training. Its constituents were, in physiognomy, just the men for dashing adventures, prolonged advances, and reckless fighting; but Meade's men bore the impress of intelligent patience like that which sat before Richmond four defeated years, and in &e end had the pluck to pass over the bastions of Petersburgh. The officers of Sherman were less punctilious in externals than those of Meade. His staff (Officers were not so neatly garbed, his line officers were Mare indifferent to their wardrobe,
The West was the best army for a republic, the East for a standing army, and New York troops, generally speaking, were the best Meade had to show. Illinois troops, casually remarked, were the flower of Sherman's Veterans. The absence of cavalry which would have quite embarrassed Sherman, so far as the spirit of his entertainment went, was made up by series of contrabands and many odd concomitants in the shape of mule fowls and dogs, which the soldiers took along. Sherman had less artillery than Meade. The battle-flags of both were equally riddled. Harmony prevailed among the partisans of both armies. The country was proud of them all. Their deeds are alike, their fames are equal; their reviews were the most wonderful panorama of American history. The scenes along the avenue, as they passed by, were akin to those of yesterday. The main interest, of course, was the President's place. Colonel Forney says of the imposing pageant: "Never shall I forget the 24th of May, 1865, when the bronzed heroes of Sherman's immense columns passed in continuous streams along Pennsylvania Avenue. The head of the column started from this very Capitol building, led off by Tecumseh himself. It was a bright and beautiful day. How many of our millions who did not see that wondrous sight, lived to regret their loss, and to envy those who enjoyed it. Previously, the Army of the Potomac, with its fresh, and bright uniforms, its splendidly equipped officers, and its apparently holiday array, marched m successive tramp, tramp, tramp, each platoon as solid as a piece of animated machinery, drilled and disciplined and educated into a sort of inexorable regularity, as the whole mass swept by these marble halls. Then came Sherman's hosts — hosts, indeed, they were. There were very few spangles and very little newness, and nothing that savored of attempts at decoration; but they were awful in their order. “Veteran " was written all over their dark faces, brow
ned by the ardent Southern sun and health almost spoke from their elastic step and erect figures. With their Kossuth hats and stained uniforms, and music, which, however good, was so different from the city airs of the bands of the previous day, they seemed like strangers from another planet recalling, with their tropical plants, and animals, and dusky contrabands marching in regimental order, what we read in the delightful pages of Irving, of the men of Columbus who came back from strange islands and unknown climes, with the beasts and birds and flowers they had collected."
The right wing of Sherman's Grand Army, known as the Army of the Tennessee, commanded by Major General 0. 0. Howard, is composed of the Fifteenth Corps, Major General John A. Logan; and the Seventeenth Corps, Major General Frank P. Blair.
FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS.
By General Order No. 210, dated War Department, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, December 18, 1862, the Fifteenth Corps was organized under command of Major General W. T. Sherman, the present commander of the Military Division of the Mississippi. General Sherman was succeeded by Major General John A. Logan, the present commander.
The Fifteenth Corps since its organization has participated in nearly all of the important battles which have taken place during the memorable campaigns in the West, and has won immortal fame on the following battle-fields, which are inscribed on its colors: Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Pass, Siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Chattanooga, Mission Ridge, Tunnell Hill, Snake Creek Gap, Resaca, Dallas, Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Chattahoochee River, Atlanta, Jones borough.
Major General John A, Logan, the present commander of the Fifteenth Army Corps, was born in Jackson county, Illinois, on the 9th of February, 1832, and is consequently about 33 years of age. Like Sheridan and other Generals who have distinguished themselves during the present war, he was born of Irish parentage. Previous to the; war he had acquired some v popularity as a politician in his native State, having served in the State Legislature of Illinois and the National Congress.
Major General John A, Logan, commanding Fifteenth Army Corps.
Lieutenant Clonal Max Woodhull, A. A. G.
Major John S. Hoover, Senior Aid-de-camp.
Lieutenant Colonel S. D. Nichols, Fourth Iowa Infantry, A. A, I. G.
Mayor R. Niccolle, Surgeon U. S. V., Medical Director.
Major John M. Woodworth, Surgeon 1st Illinois Artillery, Medical Inspector.
Major A. C. Perry, 82d Illinois Infantry, A. A. D. C.
Captain William B. Pratt, A. D. C.
Captain L. B, Mitchell, A. D. C. and A. O. O.
Captain O. C. Powelson, commanding Ambulance Corps.
Major F. C Gillette, Provost Marshal.
Captain F. F. Whitehead, A. A. G. IT. S. V., A, A. D,C.
FIRST DIVISION.
Major General C. R. Woods, commanding.
Captain Fred. H. Wilson, A. A. G.
Captain A. B. Smith, A. A. I. G.
FIRST BRIGADE.
Brevet Brigadier General W. B. Woods, commanding.
12th Indiana — Colonel Reuben Williams.
76th Ohio— Lieutenant Colonel Edward Briggs.
27th Missouri — Colonel Thomas Cunley.
31st and 3d Missouri — Lieutenant Colonel A. C. Burrell.
SECOND BRIGADE.
Colonel R. F. Cattesin, commanding.
40th Illinois — Lieutenant Colonel H. Hall.
46th Ohio — Lieutenant Colonel E. N. Upton.
103d Illinois — Lieutenant Colonel Geo. W. Wright.
6th Iowa — lieutenant Colonel W. H. Clane.
97th Indiana — Lieutenairt Colonel N. G. Carvine.
26th Illinois — Lieutenant Colonel Ira J. Bloomfield.
100th Indiana— Captain J. W. Headington.
THIRD BRIGADE.
Colonel George A. Stone, commanding.
4th Iowa — Major A. R. Anderson.
9th Iowa-— Major A Aberhethy.
25th Iowa — Lieutenant Colonel D. Palmer.
30th Iowa— Lieutenant Colonel A, Roberts,
31st Iowa— Lieutenant Colonel J Jenkins.
SECOND DIVISION.
Major General W. B. Hazen, commanding.
Captain G. Lofland, A. A. G.
Captain C. A. Eainerst, A. A. I. G.
TWELTH BRIGADE.
Colonel Theodore Jones, commanding.
6th Missouri — Captain H. D. Stephens.
55th Illinois — Captain Charles Andress.
116th Illinois — Captain Nicholas Geschround.
127th Illinois — Lieutenant Colonel Frank C. Curlie.
30th Ohio — Lieutenant Colonel E. P. Brooks.
57th Ohio — Lieutenant Colonel Samuel R. Mott
10th Iowa — Lieutenant Colonel Wm. H. Silsby.
17th Iowa — Captain William Horner.
80th Ohio — Captain Thomas C. Morris.
SECOND BRIGADE.
Colonel William S. Jones, commanding.
37th Ohio — Lieutenant Colonel Von Blessingh.
47th Ohio—Colonel N. C. Pang.
53d Ohio— Captain Robert Curren.
54th Ohio — Lieutenant Colonel J. T. Moore.
88d Indiana — Captain W. N. Cram.
111th Illinois — Colonel James S. Martin.
BATTALION.
26th Missouri — Captain T. M. Rice.
THIRD BRIGADE.
Brigadier General John M. Oliver, commanding.
15th Michigan — Lieutenant Colonel F. S. Hutchinson.
70th Ohio— Lieutenant Colonel H. L. Phillips.
48th Illinois — Lieutenant Colonel T. L. B. Werner.
99th Illinois — Lieutenant Colonel O. Stuart.
56th Illinois — Lieutenant Colonel J. P. Hall.
99th Indiana — Captain J. Fairar.
FOURTH DIVISION.
Brevet Major General John M. Corse, commanding.
Captain L. EL Everets, A. A. G.
Captain Chas. Rateray, A. A. I. G.
FIRST BRIGADE.
Brigadier General E. W. Rice, commanding.
2d Iowa— Colonel N. B. Howard.
7th Iowa— Lieutenant Colonel J. O. Parrott.
66th Indiana— Lieutenant Colonel R. Martin.
52d Illinois — Lieutenant Colonel J. D. Davis.
12th Illinois — Lieutenant Colonel H. Vanseller.
SECOND BRIGADE.
Brigadier General W. T. Clark, commanding.
81st Ohio-Colonel R. N. Adams.
59th Indiana — Lieutenant Colonel F. A. McNaught.
18th Wisconsin— Lieutenant Colonel Cha's H. Jackson.
63d Indiana— Captain J. R. Sanford.
48th Indiana— Captain N. Bingham.
THIRD BRIGADE
Colonel B, Rorrett, commanding.
7th Illinois— Lieutenant Colonel H. Perrin,
39th Iowa— Lieutenant Colonel J. H. Griffith.
60th Illinois — Lieutenant Colonel Wm, Hanna.
57th Illinois— Major, F. A, Batty.
66th Illinois — Captain D. C. Gamble.
ARTILLERY BRIGADE.
Lieutenant Colonel Wm. EL Ross, commanding.
F. J. Fairbrass, A. A. A. G.
Battery H, 1st Illinois Light Artillery — Captain Francis DeGrasse.
12th Wisconsin Battery — Captain Wm. Djrickerict
Battery B, 1st Michigan Artillery — Captain A. F. R. Arndt,
Battery H, 1st Missouri Light Artillery— Captain C. M. Callahan.
SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS.
Upon a metallic plate on the staff of the Corps flag, in front of General Blair's headquarters, is inscribed the following laconic record of that Corps :
"Shiloh, Corinth, Iuka, Hatchie, Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hills, Vicksburg, Meridian, Kenesaw Mountain, Nickajack Creek, Jonesborough, Atlanta, Savannah, Pocotaligo, Salkejiatchie, Edisto River, Orangeburg, Columbia, Cheraw, Fayetteville, Bentonville..”
ROSTER OF THE SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS.
Major General Frank
P. Blair, commanding.
Lieutenant Colonel C. Cadle, A. A. G.
Lieutenant Colonel A. Hickenlooper, A I. G.
Lieutenant Colonel E. M. Joel, Chief Q. M.
Lieutenant Colonel J. H. Mills, Chief C. S.
Lieutenant Colonel J. H. Boucher, M. D.
Major Logan Tomkins, Senior A. D. C.
Captain Richard Steele, A. D. C.
Captain William Henley, A. D. C.
Lieutenant Colonel T. D. Kirby, Picket Officer.
Major J. C. Marven, Provost Marshal.
Captain C. M. Roberts, C. M.
Captain William E. Ware, A. A. G.
FIRST DIVISION.
Brigadier General Manning F. Force, commanding.
Captain S. R. Adams, A. A. A. G.
Captain A. Kochue, A. A. I. G.
FIRST BRIGADE.
Brigadier General John W. Fuller, commanding.
8th Missouri V V Infantry— Colonel C. S. Sheldon,
27th Ohio V V Infantry— Major J. N. Gibranth.
38th Ohio V V Infantry — Lieutenant Daniel Weber.
64th Illinois V V Infantry — Major J. S. Reynolds.
SECOND BRIGADE.
Brigadier General J. W. Sprague, commanding.
Personal Recollections of Sherman's Campaigns in Georgia and the Carolinas Page 46
