certain tenure in these
stirring times.

"Let me now record a prediction. Whatever you may think of the
signs of the times, the government will rise from this strife
greater, stronger, and more prosperous than ever. It will display
energy and military power. The men who have confidence in it, and
do their full duty by it, may reap whatever there is of honor and
profit in public life, while those who look on merely as spectators
in the storm will fail to discharge the highest duty of a citizen,
and suffer accordingly in public estimation. . . .

"I write this in great hurry, with numbers around me, and exciting
and important intelligence constantly repeated, even at this hour;
but I am none the less in earnest. I hope to hear that you are on
the high road to the 'General' within thirty days.

"Affectionately your brother,
"John Sherman."

Two days later I wrote him:

"Washington, Sunday, April 14, 1861.
"Dear Brother:--. . . The war has really commenced. You will have
full details of the fall of Sumter. We are on the eve of a terrible
war. Every man will have to choose his position. You fortunately
have a military education, prominence, and character, that will
enable you to play a high part in the tragedy. You can't avoid
taking such a part. Neutrality and indifference are impossible.
If the government is to be maintained, it must be by military power,
and that immediately. You can choose your own place. Some of your
best friends here want you in the war department; Taylor, Shiras,
and a number of others, talk to me so. If you want that place,
with a sure prospect of promotion, you can have it, but you are
not compelled to take it; but it seems to me you will be compelled
to take some position, and that speedily. Can't you come to Ohio
and at once raise a regiment? It will immediately be in service.
The administration intends to stand or fall by the Union, the entire
Union, and the enforcement of the laws. I look for preliminary
defeats, for the rebels have arms, organization, unity; but this
advantage will not last long. The government will maintain itself
or our northern people are the veriest poltroons that ever disgraced
humanity.

"For me, I am for a war that will either establish or overthrow
the government and will purify the atmosphere of political life.
We need such a war, and we have it now. . . .

"Affectionately yours,
"John Sherman."

He wrote in reply:

"The time