Lincoln visits Sherman at Fort Corcoran on July 26, 1861 and after this meeting, soldiers learned the meaning of Don’t Mess with “Uncle Billy.” Sherman was reorganizing his troops after the demoralizing defeat at First Manassas.
By July 25 1861, many of the troopers had enlisted for 90 days and the 3 months were due to end by late July. After the battle morale was low and most of the men were already sick of war, ready to go home. The soldiers were so discouraged, that they threatened to leave immediately. Sherman unlimbered an artillery battery and threatened to fire on them if they attempted desertion.
On July 26, after reveille, Colonel Sherman encountered an officer crossing a bridge surrounded by a crowd of men. The officer addressed Sherman; “Colonel, I’m going to New York today, what can I do for you? Sherman responded; ” How can you go to New York? I do not remember to have signed a leave for you.”
The officer never hesitated in his reply;” No, he really didn’t want to leave, but he had served 3 months and the time was up.” He also stated that “he was a lawyer and could afford not to get paid by the government, had neglected his business long enough, so he was going home.”
Many soldiers had gathered around this officer and the Colonel. Sherman knew that if this man defied his order many others would also. Sherman stated flatly:”Captain, you are a soldier, you must submit to orders until you are discharged. If you attempt to leave, it will be mutiny and I will shoot you like a dog. Go back to the fort now and don’t dare to leave without my consent.” The officer, not pleased, returned to the fort and the other men scattered. Sherman returned to his headquarters.
Later that day, Colonel Sherman was inspecting the fortifications when he spied a carriage approaching. He recognized President Lincoln as one of the passengers. Sherman hurried to greet Lincoln and the President said,”we heard that you had got over the big scare, and we thought we would come over and visit the boys.”
The President stood up in his carriage and addressed the troops saying,”don’t cheer boys, I like it myself, but Colonel Sherman here says it is not military and I guess we had better defer to his opinion.” Lincoln also asked the soldiers,”one and all to appeal to him personally in case they were wronged.”
As the review progressed the President and Colonel Sherman reached Fort Corcoran and Lincoln delivered the same comments as at the other stops, ending with asking “one and all to appeal to him personally in case they were wronged.”
Sherman observed the disgruntled Captain in the crowd staring intently at both the President and himself. The Captain elbowed his way to the carriage and addressed the President; “I have a cause of grievance. I went to Colonel Sherman and he threatened to shoot me.” “Threatened to shoot you? asked the President.”Yes sir, threatened to shoot me.” replied the officer. Lincoln looked at Sherman and the surrounding troops and in a loud whisper addressed the Captain;”Well if I were you, and he threatened to shoot, I would not trust him, for I believe he would do it.” The men laughed as the officer walked away and disappeared.
As the carriage was leaving Sherman explained the confrontation with the Captain and Lincoln expressed; “Of course I didn’t know anything about it, but I thought you knew your own business best.”
Bummer
