HEADQUARTERS ARMY UNITED STATES,
WASHINGTON, D. C., October 8, 1883.
Hon. R. T. LINCOLN, Secretary of War.
SIR: By the act of Congress, approved June 30, 1882, all army-officers are retired on reaching the age of sixty-four years. If living, I will attain that age on the 8th day of February, 1884; but as that period of the year is not suited for the changes necessary on my retirement, I have contemplated anticipating the event by several months, to enable the President to meet these changes at a more convenient season of the year, and also to enable my successor to be in office before the assembling of the next Congress.
I therefore request authority to turn over the command of the army to Lieutenant-General Sheridan on the 1st day of November, 1883, and that I be ordered to my home at St. Louis, Missouri, there to await the date of my legal retirement; and inasmuch as for a long time I must have much correspondence about war and official matters, I also ask the favor to have with me for a time my two present aides-de-camp, Colonels J. E. Tourtelotte and J. M. Bacon.
The others of my personal staff, viz., Colonels O. M. Poe and J. C. Tidball, have already been assigned to appropriate duties in their own branches of the military service, the engineers and artillery. All should retain the rank and pay as aides-de-camp until February 8,1884. By or before the 1st day of November I can complete all official reports, and believe I can surrender the army to my successor in good shape and condition, well provided in all respects, and distributed for the best interests of the country.
I am grateful that my physical and mental-strength remain unimpaired by years, and am thankful for the liberal provision made by Congress for my remaining years, which will enable me to respond promptly to any call the President may make for my military service or judgment as long as I live. I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
W. T. SHERMAN, General.
Ответ был таковым:
WAR DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON CITY, October 10, 1888.
General W. T. SHERMAN, Washington, D. C.
GENERAL: I have submitted to the President your letter of the 8th instant, requesting that you be relieved of the command of the army on the 1st of November next, as a more convenient time for making the changes in military commands which must follow your retirement from active service, than would be the date of your retirement under the law.
In signifying his approval of your request, the President directs me to express to you his earnest hope that there may be given you many years of health and happiness in which to enjoy the gratitude of your fellow-citizens, well earned by your most distinguished public services.
It will give me pleasure to comply with your wishes respecting your aides-de-camp, and the necessary orders will be duly issued.
I have the honor to be, General, your obedient servant,
ROBERT T. LINCOLN, Secretary of War.
27 октября я представил военному министру, достопочтенному Р. Т. Линкольну, свой последний ежегодный доклад, включивший в себя, помимо прочих ценных материалов, интереснейший и сжатый отчет полковника О. М. Пое, адъютанта, об «изначальном замысле, ходе и завершении» четырех великих трансконтинентальных железных дорог, которые, по моему мнению, сделали для покорения и цивилизованности индейцев больше, чем все прочие причины вместе взятые, и сделали возможным хозяйственное освоение огромных пространств пастбищных земель и минеральных регионов, прежде бывших практически недоступными. Своим участием в этом деле я горжусь не меньше, чем долей своего участия в любой из битв, в которых мне довелось сражаться. Безотлагательно 1 ноября были изданы следующие общие приказы, и командование Армией Соединенных Штатов перешло от меня к генерал-лейтенанту П. Х. Шеридану с не большей церемонией, чем та, с которой подполковник полка сменяет своего полковника, отправляющегося в отпуск:
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY
WASHINGTON, November 1, 1885.
General Orders No. 77:
By and with the consent of the President, as contained in General Orders No. 71, of October 13, 1883, the undersigned relinquishes command of the Army of the United States.
In thus severing relations which have hitherto existed between us, he thanks all officers and men for their fidelity to the high trust imposed on them during his official life, and will, in his retirement, watch with parental solicitude their progress upward in the noble profession to which they have devoted their lives.
W. T. SHERMAN, General.
Official: R. C. DRUM, Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY
WASHINGTON, November 1, 1885.
General Orders No. 78:
In obedience to orders of the President, promulgated in General Orders No. 71, October 13, 1883, from these headquarters, the undersigned hereby assumes command of the Army of the United States....
P. H. SHERIDAN, Lieutenant-General.
Official: R. C. DRUM, adjutant-General.
Посвятив несколько дней завершению прощальных визитов и совершив краткую поездку к моей дочери, миссис А. М. Таккара, в Филадельфию, я тихо отбыл в Сент-Луис — надеюсь, окончательно и навсегда; наша семья вновь воссоединилась в том самом месте, откуда нас изгнала жестокая, ненужная гражданская война, начатая в Чарлстонской бухте в апреле 1861 года. 8 февраля 1884 года мне исполнилось шестьдесят четыре года, и потому я был отправлен в отставку в силу закона Конгресса, утвержденного 30 июня 1882 года; однако этот факт был изящно отмечен президентом Артуром в следующих общих приказах:
WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE,
WASHINGTON, February 8, 1984.
The following order of the President is published to the army:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, February 8, 1884.
General William T. Sherman, General of the Army, having this day reached the age of sixty-four years, is, in accordance with the law, placed upon the retired list of the army, without reduction in his current pay and allowances.
The announcement of the severance from the command of the army of one who has been for so many years its distinguished chief, can but awaken in the minds, not only of the army, but of the people of the United States, mingled emotions of regret and gratitude--regret at the withdrawal from active military service of an officer whose lofty sense of duty has been a model for all soldiers since he first entered the army in July, 1840; and gratitude, freshly awakened, for the services of incalculable value rendered by him in the war for the Union, which his great military genius and daring did so much to end.
The President deems this a fitting occasion to give expression, in this manner, to the gratitude felt toward General Sherman by his fellow-citizens, and to the hope that Providence may grant him many years of health and happiness in the relief from the active duties of his profession.
By order of the Secretary of War:
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
R. C. DRUM, Adjutant-General.
На что я ответил:
St. Louis, February 9, 1884.
His Excellency CHESTER A. ARTHUR, President of the United States.
DEAR SIR: Permit me with a soldier's frankness to thank you personally for the handsome compliment bestowed in general orders of yesterday, which are reported in the journals of the day. To me it was a surprise and a most agreeable one. I had supposed the actual date of my retirement would form a short paragraph in the common series of special orders of the War Department; but as the honored Executive of our country has made it the occasion for his own hand to pen a tribute of respect and affection to an officer passing from the active stage of life to one of ease and rest, I can only say I feel highly honored, and congratulate myself in thus rounding out my record of service in a manner most gratifying to my family and friends. Not only this, but I feel sure, when the orders of yesterday are read on parade to the regiments and garrisons of the United States, many a young hero will tighten his belt, and resolve anew to be brave and true to the starry flag, which we of our day have carried safely through one epoch of danger, but which may yet be subjected to other trials, which may demand similar sacrifices, equal fidelity and courage, and a larger measure of intelligence. Again thanking you for so marked a compliment, and reciprocating the kind wishes for the future,
I am, with profound respect, your friend and servant,
W. T. SHERMAN, General.
Я расцениваю это как окончание своей военной карьеры. Оглядываясь на пройденный путь, я могу лишь сказать вместе с миллионами других людей, что совершил немало поступков, которых совершать не следовало, и оставил ненаписанными еще больше дел, которые надлежало исполнить; что я вижу, сколь сотни возможностей были упущены, но в целом я доволен и чувствую уверенность, что могу путешествовать по этой нашей необъятной стране и каждую ночь быть желанным гостем как во дворце, так и в хижине; и поскольку
«Весь мир — театр, В нем женщины, мужчины — все актеры»,
Я оставляю за собой право опустить занавес. У. Т. ШЕРМАН, генерал.
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