Therewillbenonecessityofyourcomingup。YoucanletMajorSmithreceivethefewhundredsofcashIhaveonhand，andIcanmeetyouonadaycertaininNewOrleans，whenwecansettlethebankaccount。BeforeIleave，IcanpaythestewardJarreanhisaccountforthemonth，andtherewouldbenonecessityforotherpaymentstillaboutthecloseofMarch，bywhichtimetheboardcanmeet，andelectatreasurerandsuperintendentalso。
AtpresentIhavenoclass，andtherewillbenonereadytillaboutthemonthofMay，whentherewillbeaclassin\"surveying。\"Evenifyoudonotelectasuperintendentinthemeantime，MajorSmithcouldeasilyteachthisclass，asheisveryfamiliarwiththesubject—matter:Indeed，Ithinkyouwilldowelltoleavethesubjectofanewsuperintendentuntiloneperfectlysatisfactoryturnsup。
ThereisonlyonefavorIwouldask。Theseminaryhasplentyofmoneyinbank。TheLegislaturewillsurelyappropriateformysalaryassuperintendentofthisarsenal。WouldyounotletmemakemydraftsontheStateTreasury，sendthemtoyou，lettheTreasurernotethemforpaymentwhentheappropriationismade，andthenpaythemoutoftheseminaryfund？ThedraftswillbepaidinMarch，andtheseminarywilllosenothing。Thiswouldbejusttome;forIactuallyspenttwohundreddollarsandmoreingoingtoWashingtonandNewYork，therebysecuringfromtheUnitedStates，inadvance，threethousanddollars’worthoftheverybestarms;
andclothingandbooks，ataclearprofittotheseminaryofovereighthundreddollars。Imaybesometimeinfindingnewemployment，andwillstandinneedofthismoney（fivehundreddollars）;otherwiseIwouldabandonit。
IwillnotaskyoutoputtheBoardofSupervisorstothetroubleofmeeting，unlessyoucangetaquorumatBatonRouge。
Withgreatrespect，yourfriend，W。T。SHERMAN。
Bycourseofmail，IreceivedthefollowinganswerfromGovernorMoore，theoriginalofwhichIstillpossess。ItisallinGeneralBraggshandwriting，withwhichIamfamiliarExecutiveOffice，BATONROUGE，LOUISIANA，January23，1861
MYDEARSIR:ItiswiththedeepestregretIacknowledgereceiptofyourcommunicationofthe18thinst。Inthepressureofofficialbusiness，IcannowonlyrequestyoutotransfertoProf。Smiththearms，munitions，andfundsinyourhands，wheneveryouconcludetowithdrawfromthepositionyouhavefilledwithsomuchdistinction。YoucannotregretmorethanIdothenecessitywhichdeprivesusofyourservices，andyouwillbearwithyoutherespect，confidence，andadmiration，ofallwhohavebeenassociatedwithyou。Verytruly，yourfriend，ThomasO。Moore。
ColonelW。T。SHERMAN，SuperintendentMilitaryAcademy，Alexandria。
ImusthavereceivedseverallettersfromBragg，aboutthistime，whichhavenotbeenpreserved;forIfindthat，onthe1stofFebruary，1861，Iwrotehimthus:
SeminaryofLearningAlexandria，LOUISIANA，February1，1881。
ColonelBraxtonBRAGG，Baton，Rouge，Louisiana。
DearSir:YoursofJanuary23dand27tharereceived。Ithankyoumostkindly，andGovernorMoorsthroughyou，forthekindmannerinwhichyouhavemetmywishes。
NowthatIcannotbecompromisedbypoliticalevents，Iwillsoshapemycourseasbesttoservetheinstitution，whichhasastrongholdonmyaffectionsandrespect。
TheBoardofSupervisorswillbecalledforthe9thinstant，andI
willcooperatewiththemintheirmeasurestoplacemattershereonasafeandsecurebasis。Iexpecttobeheretwoweeks，andwillmakeyoufullreturnsofmoneyandpropertybelongingtotheStateCentralArsenal。Allthearmsandammunitionaresafelystoredhere。ThenIwillwriteyoumoreatlength。Withsincererespect，yourfriend，W。T。SHERMAN。
MajorSmith’sreceipttome，forthearmsandpropertybelongingbothtotheseminaryandtothearsenal，isdatedFebruary19，1861。Isubjoinalso，inthisconnection，copiesofoneortwopapersthatmayproveofinterestBATONROUGE，January28，1881。
ToMajorSHERMAN，Superintendent，Alexandria。
MyDEARSIR:Yourletterwasdulyreceive，andwouldhavebeenanswerederethistimecouldIhavearrangedsoonerthematterofthefivehundreddollars。IshallgofromheretoNewOrleansto—dayortomorrow，andwillremaintheretillSaturdayafternext，perhaps。Ishallexpecttomeetyouthere，asindicatedinyournotetome。
IneednottellyouthatitiswithnoordinaryregretthatIviewyourdeterminationtoleaveus，forreallyIbelievethatthesuccessofourinstitution，nowalmostassured，isjeopardizedthereby。IamsorethatwewillneverhaveasuperintendentwithwhomIshallhavemorepleasantrelationsthanthosewhichhaveexistedbetweenyourselfandme。
Ifullyappreciatethemotiveswhichhaveinducedyoutogiveupapositionpresentingsomanyadvantagestoyourself，andsincerelyhopethatyoumay，inanyfutureenterprise，enjoythesuccesswhichyourcharacterandabilitymeritanddeserve。
ShouldyoucomedownontheRapides（steamer），pleaselookaftermywife，whowill，Ihope，accompanyyouonsaidboat，orsomeothergoodone。
ColonelBragginformsmethatthenecessaryordershavebeengivenforthetransferandreceiptbyMajorSmithofthepublicproperty。
IherewithtransmitarequesttothesecretarytoconvenetheBoardofSupervisors，thattheymayactasseemsbesttotheminthepremises。
Inthemeantime，MajorSmithwillcommandbysenioritythecadets，andtheAcademicBoardwillbeabletoconductthescientificexercisesoftheinstitutionuntiltheBoardofSupervisorscanhavetimetoact。HopingtomeetyousoonattheSt。Charles，I
am，Mosttruly，yourfriendandservant，S。A。SmithP。S。GovernorMoorsdesiresmetoexpresshisprofoundregretthattheStateisabouttoloseonewhoweallfondlyhopedhadcasthisdestiniesforwealorforwoeamongus;andthatheissensiblethatwelosetherebyanofficerwhomitwillbedifficult，ifnotimpossible，toreplace。
S。A。S。
BATONROUGE，February11，1881。
ToMajorSherman，Alexandria。
DearSir:IhavebeeninNewOrleansfortendays，andonreturningherefindtwolettersfromyou，alsoyourpromptanswertotheresolutionoftheHouseofRepresentatives，forwhichIammuchobliged。
Theresolutionpassedthelastdaybeforeadjournment。Iwaspurposingtorespond，whenyourwelcomereportscametohand。I
havearrangedtopayyouyourfivehundreddollars。
Iwillsaynothingofgeneralpolitics，excepttogivemyopinionthatthereisnottobeanywar。
Inthatevent，woulditnotbepossibleforyoutobecomeacitizenofourState？Everyonedeploresyourdeterminationtoleaveus。Atthesametime，yourfriendsfeelthatyouareabandoningapositionthatmightbecomeanobjectofdesiretoanyone。
IwilltrytomeetyouinNewOrleansatanytimeyoumayindicate;
butitwouldbebestforyoutostophere，when，ifpossible，I
willaccompanyyou。Shouldyoudoso，youwillfindmejustabovetheState—House，andfacingit。
Bringwithyouafewcopiesofthe\"RulesoftheSeminary。\"
Yourstruly，S。A。SmithColonelW。T。SHERMAN。
Sir:IaminstructedbytheBoardofSupervisorsofthisinstitutiontopresentacopyoftheresolutionsadoptedbythemattheirlastmeeting\"Resolved，ThatthethanksoftheBoardofSupervisorsaredue，andareherebytendered，toColonelWilliamT。Shermanfortheableandefficientmannerinwhichhehasconductedtheaffairsoftheseminaryduringthetimetheinstitutionhasbeenunderhiscontrol——aperiodattendedwithunusualdifficulties，requiringonthepartofthesuperintendenttosuccessfullyovercomethemahighorderofadministrativetalent。AndtheboardfurtherbearwillingtestimonytothevaluableservicesthatColonelShermanhasrenderedthemintheireffortstoestablishaninstitutionoflearninginaccordancewiththebeneficentdesignoftheStateandFederalGovernments;evincingatalltimesareadinesstoadapthimselftotheever—varyingrequirementsofaninstitutionoflearninginitsinfancy，strugglingtoattainapositionofhonorandusefulness。
\"Resolved，further，That，inacceptingtheresignationofColonelShermanasSuperintendentoftheStateSeminaryofLearningandMilitaryAcademy，wetendertohimassurancesofourhighpersonalregard，andoursincereregretattheoccurrenceofcausesthatrenderitnecessarytopartwithsoesteemedandvaluedafriend，aswellasco—laborerinthecauseofeducation。\"
PowhatanClarke，SecretaryoftheBoard。
AcopyoftheresolutionoftheAcademicBoard，passedattheirsessionofApril1，1861:
\"Resolved，Thatintheresignationofthelatesuperintendent，ColonelW。T。Sherman，theAcademicBoarddeemitnotimpropertoexpresstheirdeepconvictionofthelosstheinstitutionhassustainedinbeingthusdeprivedofanablehead。TheycannotfailtoappreciatethemanlinessofcharacterwhichhasalwaysmarkedtheactionsofColonelSherman。Whileheispersonallyendearedtomanyofthemasafriend，theyconsiderittheirhighpleasuretotendertohiminthisresolutiontheirregretonhisseparation，andtheirsincerewishforhisfuturewelfare。\"
Ihavegiventheaboveatsomelength，because，duringthecivilwar，itwasinSoutherncirclesassertedthatIwasguiltyofabreachofhospitalityintakinguparmsagainsttheSouth。Theyweremanifestlytheaggressors，andwecouldonlydefendourownbyassailingthem。Yet，withoutanyknowledgeofwhatthefuturehadinstoreforme，Itookunusualprecautionsthattheinstitutionshouldnotbedamagedbymywithdrawal。Aboutthe20thofFebruary，havingturnedoverallproperty，。records，andmoney，onhand，toMajorSmith，andtakingwithmethenecessarydocumentstomakethefinalsettlementwithDr。S。A。Smith，atthebankinNewOrleans，wherethefundsoftheinstitutionweredepositedtomycredit，ItookpassagefromAlexandriaforthatcity，andarrivedthere，Ithink，onthe23d。Dr。Smithmetme，andwewenttothebank，whereIturnedovertohimthebalance，gothimtoauditallmyaccounts，certifythattheywerecorrectandjust，andthatthereremainednotonecentofbalanceinmyhands。IchargedinmyaccountcurrentformysalaryuptotheendofFebruary，attherateoffourthousanddollarsayear，andforthefivehundreddollarsduemeassuperintendentoftheCentralArsenal，allofwhichwasdueandhadbeenfairlyearned，andthenIstoodfreeanddischargedofanyandeveryobligation，honoraryorbusiness，thatwasduebymetotheStateofLouisiana，ortoanycorporationorindividualinthatState。
Thisbusinessoccupiedtwoorthreedays，duringwhichIstaidattheSt。LouisHotel。IusuallysatattablewithColonelandMrs。
Bragg，andanofficerwhoworetheuniformoftheStateofLouisiana，andwasaddressedascaptain。Braggworeacolonel’suniform，andexplainedtomethathewasacolonelintheStateservice，acolonelofartillery，andthatsomecompaniesofhisregimentgarrisonedFortsJacksonandSt。Philip，andthearsenalatBatonRouge。
BeauregardatthetimehadtwosonsattheSeminaryofLearning。I
hadgiventhemsomeofmypersonalcareatthefather’srequest，and，wantingtotellhimoftheirconditionandprogress，IwenttohisusualofficeintheCustom—HouseBuilding，andfoundhimintheactofstartingforMontgomery，Alabama。BraggsaidafterwardthatBeauregardhadbeensentforbyJeffersonDavis，andthatitwasrumoredthathehadbeenmadeabrigadier—general，ofwhichfactheseemedjealous，becauseintheoldarmyBraggwasthesenior。
DavisandStephenshadbeeninauguratedPresidentandVice—PresidentoftheConfederateStatesofAmerica，February18，1860，atMontgomery，andthoseStatesonlyembracedthesevencottonStates。Irecallaconversationatthetea—table，oneevening，attheSt。Louis。Hotel。WhenBraggwasspeakingofBeanregard’spromotion，Mrs。Bragg，turningtome，said，\"YouknowthatmyhusbandisnotafavoritewiththenewPresident。\"MymindwasrestingonMr。LincolnasthenewPresident，andIsaidIdidnotknowthatBragghadevermetMr。Lincoln，whenMrs。Braggsaid，quitepointedly，\"Ididn’tmeanyourPresident，butourPresident。\"
IknewthatBragghatedDavisbitterly，andthathehadresignedfromthearmyin1855，or1856，becauseDavis，asSecretaryofWar，hadorderedhim，withhisbattery，fromJeffersonBarracks，Missouri，toFortSmithorFortWashita，intheIndiancountry，asBraggexpressedit，\"tochaseIndianswithsix—pounders。\"
Ivisitedthequartermaster，ColonelA。C。Myers，whohadresignedfromthearmy，January28，1861，andhadacceptedserviceunderthenewregime。HisofficewasinthesameoldroomintheLafayetteSquarebuilding，whichhehadin1853，whenIwasthereacommissary，withthesamepicturesonthewall，andtheletters\"U。
S。\"oneverything，includinghisdesk，papers，etc。Iaskedhimifhedidnotfeelfunny。\"No，notatall。Thethingwasinevitable，secessionwasacompletesuccess;therewouldbenowar，butthetwoGovernmentswouldsettleallmattersofbusinessinafriendlyspirit，andeachwouldgooninitsallottedsphere，withoutfurtherconfusion。\"Aboutthisdate，February16th，GeneralTwiggs，Myers’sfather—in—law，hadsurrenderedhisentirecommand，intheDepartmentofTexas，tosomeStatetroops，withalltheGovernmentproperty，thusconsummatingthefirstseriousstepinthedramaoftheconspiracy，whichwastoformaconfederacyofthecottonStates，beforeworkingupontheotherslaveorborderStates，andbeforethe4thofMarch，thedayfortheinaugurationofPresidentLincoln。
IwalkedthestreetsofNewOrleans，andfoundbusinessgoingalongasusual。Shipswerestrungformilesalongthelowerlevee，andsteamboatsabove，alldischargingorreceivingcargo。ThePelicanflagofLouisianawasflyingovertheCustomHouse，Mint，CityHall，andeverywhere。AttheleveeshipscarriedeveryflagonearthexceptthatoftheUnitedStates，andIwastoldthatduringaprocessiononthe22dofFebruary，celebratingtheiremancipationfromthedespotismoftheUnitedStatesGovernment，onlyonenationalflagwasshownfromahouse，andthatthehousesofCuthbertBullitt，onLafayetteSquare。Hewascommandedtotakeitdown，butherefused，anddefendeditwithhispistol。
TheonlyofficerofthearmythatIcanrecall，asbeingthereatthetime，whowasfaithful，wasColonelC。L。Kilburn，oftheCommissaryDepartment，andhewaspreparingtoescapeNorth。
EverybodyregardedthechangeofGovernmentasfinal;thatLouisiana，byameredeclaration，wasafreeandindependentState，andcouldenterintoanynewallianceorcombinationshechose。
Menwerebeingenlistedandarmed，todefendtheState，andtherewasnottheleastevidencethatthenationalAdministrationdesignedtomakeanyeffort，byforce，tovindicatethenationalauthority。Ithereforebadeadieutoallmyfriends，andaboutthe25thofFebruarytookmydeparturebyrailroad，forLancaster，viaCairoandCincinnati。
Beforeleavingthissubject，Iwillsimplyrecordthefateofsomeofmyassociates。Theseminarywasdispersedbythewar，andalltheprofessorsandcadetstookserviceintheConfederacy，exceptYallas，St。Ange，andCadetTaliaferro。ThelatterjoinedaUnionregiment，asalieutenant，afterNewOrleanswasretakenbytheUnitedStatesfleetunderFarragut。IthinkthatbothYallasandSt。Angehavediedinpovertysincethewar。MajorSmithjoinedtherebelarmyinVirginia，andwaskilledinApril，1865，ashewaswithdrawinghisgarrison，bynight，fromthebatteriesatDrury’sBluff，atthetimeGeneralLeebeganhisfinalretreatfromRichmond。BoydbecameacaptainofengineersonthestaffofGeneralRichardTaylor，wascaptured，andwasinjailatNatchez，Mississippi，whenIwasonmyMeridianexpedition。HesucceededingettingalettertomeonmyarrivalatVicksburg，and，onmywaydowntoNewOrleans，IstoppedatNatchez，tookhimalong，andenabledhimtoeffectanexchangethroughGeneralBanks。Assoonasthewarwasover，hereturnedtoAlexandria，andreorganizedtheoldinstitution，whereIvisitedhimin1867;but，thenextwinter，thebuildingtookfireendburnedtotheground。Thestudents，library，apparatus，etc。，weretransferredtoBatonRouge，wherethesameinstitutionnowis，underthetitleoftheLouisianaUniversity。Ihavebeenabletodothemmanyactsofkindness，andamstillincorrespondence，withColonelBoyd，itspresident。
GeneralG。MasonGrahamisstilllivingonhisplantation，onBayouRapides，oldandmuchrespected。
Dr。S。A。Smithbecameasurgeonintherebelarmy，andatthecloseofthewarwasmedicaldirectorofthetrans—MississippiDepartment，withGeneralKirbySmith。Ihaveseenhimsincethewar，atNewOrleans，wherehediedaboutayearago。
Dr。ClarkwasinWashingtonrecently，applyingforaplaceasUnitedStatesconsulabroad。Iassistedhim，butwithnosuccess，andheisnowatBaltimore，Maryland。
AfterthebattleofShiloh，IfoundamongtheprisonersCadetBarrow，fittedhimoutwithsomecleanclothing，ofwhichhewasinneed，andfromhimlearnedthatCadetWorkmanwaskilledinthatbattle。
GovernorMoore’splantationwasdevastatedbyGeneralBanks’stroops。Afterthewarheappealedtome，andthroughtheAttorney—General，HenryStanbery，Iaidedinhavinghislandrestoredtohim，andIthinkheisnowlivingthere。
Bragg，Beauregard，andTaylor，enactedhighpartsinthesucceedingwar，andnowresideinLouisianaorTexasCHAPTERVIII。
MISSOURI
APRILANDMAY，1861。
DuringthetimeoftheseeventsinLouisiana，Iwasinconstantcorrespondencewithmybrother，JohnSherman，atWashington;Mr。
Ewing，atLancaster，Ohio;andMajorH。S。Turner，atSt。Louis。I
hadmanagedtomaintainmyfamilycomfortablyatLancaster，butwasextremelyanxiousaboutthefuture。Itlookedliketheendofmycareer，forIdidnotsupposethat\"civilwar\"couldgivemeanemploymentthatwouldprovideforthefamily。Ithought，andmayhavesaid，thatthenationalcrisishadbeenbroughtaboutbythepoliticians，and，asitwasuponus，they\"mightfightitout\"
Therefore，whenIturnedNorthfromNewOrleans，IfeltmoredisposedtolooktoSt。Louisforahome，andtoMajor。Turnertofindmeemployment，thantothepublicservice。
IleftNewOrleansaboutthe1stofMarch，1861，byrailtoJacksonandClinton，Mississippi，Jackson，Tennessee，andColumbus，Kentucky，wherewetookaboattoCairo，andthence，byrail，toCincinnatiandLancaster。Alltheway，Iheard，inthecarsandboats，warmdiscussionsaboutpolities;totheeffectthat，ifMr。
LincolnshouldattemptcoercionofthesecededStates，theotherslaveorborderStateswouldmakecommoncause，when，itwasbelieved，itwouldbemadnesstoattempttoreducethemtosubjection。IntheSouth，thepeoplewereearnest，fierceandangry，andwereevidentlyorganizingforaction;whereas，inIllinois，Indiana，andOhio，Isawnottheleastsignofpreparation。ItcertainlylookedtomeasthoughthepeopleoftheNorthwouldtamelysubmittoadisruptionoftheUnion，andtheoratorsoftheSouthused，openlyandconstantly，theexpressionsthattherewouldbenowar，andthatalady’sthimblewouldholdallthebloodtobeshed。OnreachingLancaster，IfoundlettersfrommybrotherJohn，invitingmetocometoWashington，ashewantedtoseeme;andfromMajorTamer，atSt。Louis，thathewastryingtosecureformetheofficeofpresidentoftheFifthStreetRailroad，withasalaryoftwenty—fivehundreddollars;thatMr。
LucasandD。A。Januaryheldacontrollinginterestofstock，wouldvoteforme，andtheelectionwouldoccurinMarch。Thissuitedmeexactly，andIansweredTurnerthatIwouldaccept，withthanks。
ButIalsothoughtitrightandproperthatIshouldfirstgotoWashington，totalkwithmybrother，SenatorSherman。
Mr。Lincolnhadjustbeeninstalled，andthenewspaperswerefilledwithrumorsofeverykindindicativeofwar;thechiefactofinterestwasthatMajorRobertAndersonhadtakenbynightintoFortSumterallthetroopsgarrisoningCharlestonHarbor，andthathewasdeterminedtodefenditagainstthedemandsoftheStateofSouthCarolinaandoftheConfederateStates。ImusthavereachedWashingtonaboutthe10thofMarch。Ifoundmybrotherthere，justappointedSenator，inplaceofMr。Chase，whowasinthecabinet，andIhavenodoubtmyopinions，thoughts，andfeelings，wroughtupbytheeventsinLouisiana;seemedtohimgloomyandextravagant。
AboutWashingtonIsawbutfewsignsofpreparation，thoughtheSouthernSenatorsandRepresentativesweredailysoundingtheirthreatsonthefloorsofCongress，andwerepubliclywithdrawingtojointheConfederateCongressatMontgomery。EvenintheWarDepartmentandaboutthepublicofficestherewasopen，unconcealedtalk，amountingtohigh—treason。
Oneday，JohnShermantookmewithhimtoseeMr。Lincoln。HewalkedintotheroomwherethesecretarytothePresidentnowsits，wefoundtheroomfullofpeople，andMr。Lincolnsatattheendofthetable，talkingwiththreeorfourgentlemen，whosoonleft。
Johnwalkedup，shookhands，andtookachairnearhim，holdinginhishandsomepapersreferringto，minorappointmentsintheStateofOhio，whichformedthesubjectofconversation。Mr。Lincolntookthepapers，saidhewouldreferthemtotheproperheadsofdepartments，andwouldbegladtomaketheappointmentsaskedfor，ifnotalreadypromised。Johnthenturnedtome，andsaid，\"Mr。
President，thisismybrother，ColonelSherman，whoisjustupfromLouisiana，hemaygiveyousomeinformationyouwant。\"\"Ah！\"saidMr。Lincoln，\"howaretheygettingalongdownthere？\"Isaid，\"Theythinktheyaregettingalongswimmingly——theyarepreparingforwar。\"\"Oh，well！\"saidhe，\"Iguesswe’llmanagetokeephouse。\"
Iwassilenced，saidnomoretohim，andwesoonleft。Iwassadlydisappointed，andrememberthatIbrokeoutonJohn，d——ningthepoliticiansgenerally，saying，\"Youhavegotthingsinahellofafig，andyoumaygetthemoutasyoubestcan，\"addingthatthecountrywassleepingonavolcanothatmightburstforthatanyminute，butthatIwasgoingtoSt。Louistotakecareofmyfamily，andwouldhavenomoretodowithit。Johnbeggedmetobemorepatient，butIsaidIwouldnot;thatIhadnotimetowait，thatIwasoffforSt。Louis;andoffIwent。AtLancasterIfoundlettersfromMajorTurner，invitingmetoSt。Louis，astheplaceintheFifthStreetRailroadwasasurething，andthatMr。LucaswouldrentmeagoodhouseonLocustStreet，suitableformyfamily，forsixhundreddollarsayear。
Mrs。ShermanandIgatheredourfamilyandeffectstogether，startedforSt。LouisMarch27th，wherewerentedofMr。LucasthehouseonLocustStreet，betweenTenthandEleventh，andoccupieditonthe1stofApril。CharlesEwingandJohnHunterhadformedalaw—partnershipinSt。Louis，andagreedtoboardwithus，takingroomsonthethirdfloorInthelatterpartofMarch，IwasdulyelectedpresidentoftheFifthStreetRailroad，andenteredonthedischargeofmydutiesApril1，1861。WehadacentralofficeonthecornerofFifthandLocust，andalsoanotherupatthestablesinBremen。Theroadwaswellstockedandinfulloperation，andallIhadtodowastowatchtheeconomicaladministrationofexistingaffairs，whichIendeavoredtodowithfidelityandzeal。
Butthewholeairwasfallofwarsandrumorsofwars。ThestrugglewasgoingonpoliticallyfortheborderStates。EveninMissouri，whichwasaslaveState，itwasmanifestthattheGovernoroftheState，ClaiborneJackson，andalltheleadingpoliticians，werefortheSouthincaseofawar。ThehouseonthenorthwestcornerofFifthandPinewastherebelheadquarters，wheretherebelflagwashungpublicly，andthecrowdsaboutthePlanters’Housewereallmoreorlessrebel。TherewasalsoacampinLindell’sGrove，attheendofOlive，Street，undercommandofGeneralD。M。Frost，aNorthernman，agraduateofPestPoint，inopensympathywiththeSouthernleaders。ThiscampwasnominallyaStatecampofinstruction，but，beyonddoubt，wasintheinterestoftheSoutherncause，designedtobeusedagainstthenationalauthorityintheeventoftheGeneralGovernment’sattemptingtocoercetheSouthernConfederacy。GeneralWilliamS。HarveywasincommandoftheDepartmentofMissouri，andresidedinhisownhouse，onFourthStreet，belowMarket;andtherewerefiveorsixcompaniesofUnitedStatestroopsinthearsenal，commandedbyCaptainN。Lyon;throughoutthecity，therehadbeenorganized，almostexclusivelyoutoftheGermanpartofthepopulation，fourorfiveregimentsof\"HomeGuards，\"withwhichmovementFrankBlair，B。GratzBrown，JohnM。Schofield，ClintonB。Fisk，andothers，weremostactiveonthepartofthenationalauthorities。
FrankBlair’sbrotherMontgomerywasinthecabinetofMr。LincolnatWashington，andtohimseemedcommittedthegeneralmanagementofaffairsinMissouri。
Thenewspapersfannedthepublicexcitementtothehighestpitch，andthreatsofattackingthearsenalontheonehand，andthemobofd——drebelsinCampJacksonontheother，werebandiedabout。I
triedmybesttokeepoutofthecurrent，andonlytalkedfreelywithafewmen;amongthemColonelJohnO’Fallon，awealthygentlemanwhoresidedaboveSt。Louis。HedailycamedowntomyofficeinBremen，andwewalkedupanddownthepavementbythehour，deploringthesadconditionofourcountry，andtheseemingdrifttowarddissolutionandanarchy。IusedalsotogodowntothearsenaloccasionallytoseeLyon，Totten，andotherofmyarmyacquaintance，andwasgladtoseethemmakingpreparationstodefendtheirpost，ifnottoassumetheoffensive。
ThebombardmentofFortSumter，whichwasannouncedbytelegraph，beganApril12th，andendedonthe14th。Wethenknewthatthewarwasactuallybegun，andthoughtheSouthwasopenly，manifestlytheaggressor，yetherfriendsandapologistsinsistedthatshewassimplyactingonajustifiabledefensive，andthatintheforcibleseizureof，thepublicfortswithinherlimitsthepeoplewereactingwithreasonableprudenceandforesight。Yetneitherpartyseemedwillingtoinvade，orcrosstheborder。Davis，whoorderedthebombardmentofSumter，knewthetemperofhispeoplewell，andforesawthatitwouldprecipitatetheactionoftheborderStates;
foralmostimmediatelyVirginia，NorthCarolina，Arkansas，andTennessee，followedtheleadofthecottonStates，andconventionsweredeliberatinginKentuckyandMissouri。
OnthenightofSaturday，April6th，Ireceivedthefollowing，dispatch:
Washington，April6，1861。
MajorW。T。Sherman:
WillyouacceptthechiefclerkshipoftheWarDepartment？WewillmakeyouassistantSecretaryofWarwhenCongressmeets。
M。Blair，Postmaster—General。
TowhichIrepliedbytelegraph，Mondaymorning;\"Icannotaccept;\"
andbymailasfollows:
Monday，Apil8，1861。
OfficeoftheSt。LouisRailroadCompanyHon。M。Blair，Washington，D。C。
Ireceived，aboutnineo’clockSaturdaynight，yourtelegraphdispatch，whichIhavethismomentanswered，\"Icannotaccept。\"
Ihavequitealargefamily，andwhenIresignedmyplaceinLouisiana，onaccountofsecession，Ihadnotimetolose;and，therefore，aftermyhastyvisittoWashington，whereIsawnochanceofemployment，IcametoSt。Louis，haveacceptedaplaceinthiscompany，haverentedahouse，andincurredotherobligations，sothatIamnotatlibertytochange。
Ithankyouforthecomplimentcontainedinyouroffer，andassureyouthatIwishtheAdministrationallsuccessinitsalmostimpossibletaskofgoverningthisdistractedandanarchicalpeople。
Yourstruly，W。T。SHERMAN
Iwasafterwardtoldthatthislettergaveoffense，andthatsomeofMr。Lincoln’scabinetconcludedthatItoowouldprovefalsetothecountry。
Laterinthatmonth，afterthecaptureofFortSumterbytheConfederateauthorities，aDr。CornyncametoourhouseonLocustStreet，onenightafterIhadgonetobed，andtoldmehehadbeensentbyFrankBlair，whowasnotwell，andwantedtoseemethatnightathishouse。IdressedandwalkedovertohishouseonWashingtonAvenue，nearFourteenth，andfoundthere，inthefront—room，severalgentlemen，amongwhomIrecallHenryT。Blow。
Blairwasintheback—room，closetedwithsomegentleman，whosoonleft，andIwascalledin。HetheretoldmethattheGovernmentwasmistrustfulofGeneralHarvey，thatachangeinthecommandofthedepartmentwastobemade;thathehelditinhispowertoappointabrigadier—general，andputhimincommandofthedepartment，andheofferedmetheplace。ItoldhimIhadonceofferedmyservices，andtheyweredeclined;thatIhadmadebusinessengagementsinSt。Louis，whichIcouldnotthrowoffatpleasure;thatIhadlongdeliberatedonmycourseofaction，andmustdeclinehisoffer，howevertemptingandcomplimentary。Hereasonedwithme，butIpersisted。Hetoldme，inthatevent，heshouldappointLyon，andhedidso。
Findingthatevenmybestfriendswereuneasyastomypoliticalstatus，onthe8thofMayIaddressedthefollowingofficiallettertotheSecretaryofWar:
OfficeoftheSt。LouisRailroadCompany，May8，1881。
Hon。S。Cameron，SecretaryofWar，Washington，D。C。
DearSir:Iholdmyselfnow，asalways，preparedtoservemycountryinthecapacityforwhichIwastrained。Ididnotandwillnotvolunteerforthreemonths，becauseIcannotthrowmyfamilyonthecoldcharityoftheworld。Butforthethree—yearscall，madebythePresident，anofficercanpreparehiscommandanddogoodservice。
Iwillnotvolunteerasasoldier，becauserightfullyorwrongfullyIfeelunwillingtotakeamereprivate’splace，and，havingformanyyearslivedinCaliforniaandLouisiana，themenarenotwellenoughacquaintedwithmetoelectmetomyappropriateplace。
Shouldmyservicesbeneeded，therecordsoftheWarDepartmentwillenableyoutodesignatethestationinwhichIcanrendermostservice。
Yourstruly，W。T。SHERMAN。
TothisIdonotthinkIreceivedadirectanswer;but，onthe10thofthesamemonth，IwasappointedcoloneloftheThirteenthRegularInfantry。