again reverted to it.

"Now, it seems, he has ordered it, and it is full of trouble for
me. I wrote him one or two letters in Washington, which I though
positive enough, but have now written another, and if it fails in
its object I might as well cast about for new employment. The
result would be certain conflict, resulting in Grant's violent
deposition, mine, or the President's.

"There is not room on board of one ship for more than one captain.

"If Grant intends to run for President I should be willing to come
on, because my duties would then be so clearly defined that I think
I could steer clear of the breakers--but now it would be impossible.
The President would make use of me to beget violence, a condition
of things that ought not to exist now.

"He has no right to use us for such purposes, though he is commander
in chief. I did suppose his passage with Grant would end there,
but now it seems he will fight him as he has been doing Congress.
I don't object if he does so himself and don't rope me in. . . .

"If the President forces me into a false position out of seeming
favor, I must defend myself. It is mortifying, but none the less
inevitable.

"Affectionately,
"W. T. Sherman."

(Telegram.)
"Washington, February 14, 1868.
"From St. Louis, February 14, 1868.
"To General U. S. Grant, Commander U. S. Army:

"Your dispatch informing me that the order for the Atlantic division
was issued, and that I was assigned to its command, is received.

"I was in hopes I had escaped the danger, and now, were I prepared,
should resign on the spot, as it requires no foresight to predict
such must be the inevitable result in the end.

"I will make one more desperate effort by mail, which please await.

(Signed) "W. T. Sherman, Lieutenant General."

(Telegram.)
"Dated St. Louis, February 14, 1868.
"Received at House of Representatives, February 14.
"To Hon. John Sherman:

"Oppose confirmation of myself as brevet general on ground that it
is unprecedented, and that it is better not to extend the system
of brevets above major general. If I can't avoid coming to Washington
I may have to resign.

"W. T. Sherman, Lieutenant-General."

This correspondence, some of which was published, excited a great
deal of attention, and I received many letters in regard to it,
one of which I insert:

"Washington, D. C., February 17, 1868.
"Dear Sherman:--How nobly and magnanimously your gallant brot