t
through the Senate. President Grant, as he handed me my commission,
replied: "Yes; and if your conduct then had been such as to avoid
that difficulty with the Senate, you would probably never have
received this commission at all." I have no doubt he was right.
To have pleased the radical politicians of that day would have been
enough to ruin any soldier.

LETTER TO SENATOR HENDERSON

"Headquarters, Army of the Ohio,
"Knoxville, Tenn., April 15, 1864.
"Dear Senator: I have just received your letter of the 7th informing
me that the Military Committee has reported against my nomination,
and urging me to 'whip somebody anyhow.' I am fully aware of the
importance to me personally of gaining a victory. No doubt I might
easily get up a little 'claptrap' on which to manufacture newspaper
notoriety, and convince the Senate of the United States that I had
won a great victory, and secure my confirmation by acclamation.
Such things have been done, alas! too frequently during this war.
But such is not my theory of a soldier's duties. I have an idea
that my military superiors are the proper judges of my character
and conduct, and that their testimony ought to be considered
satisfactory as to my _military qualities_.

"I have the approval and support of the President, the Secretary
of War, General Halleck, General Grant, and General Sherman. I am
willing to abide the decision of any one or all of them, and I
would not give a copper for the weight of anybody's or everybody's
opinion in addition to, or in opposition to, theirs.

"If the Senate is not satisfied with such testimony, I can't help
it. I never have and never will resort to 'buncombe' for the
purpose of securing my own advancement. If I cannot gain promotion
by legitimate means, I do not want it at all. . . . In all this
time I have yet to hear the first word of disapproval, from my
superior officer, of any one of my military operations (unless I
except Curtis, who disapproved of my pursuing Hindman so far into
Arkansas), and in general have received high commendation from my
superiors, both for my military operations and administration. I
would rather have this record without a major-general's commission,
then to gain the commission by adding to my reputation one grain
of falsehood. . . .

"Grant was here in the winter, and Sherman only a few days ago.
They are fully acquainted with the condition of aff