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<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>JOHN MCALLISTER SCHOFIELD</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Class of 1853</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Died 2255.</strong></p>
<p>John McAllister Schofield was born in the town of Gerry, Chautauqua County, New York, September 29, 1831. His father was the Rev. James Schofield who was then pastor of the Baptist Church in Sinclairville, and, from 1843 to 1881, a "home missionary" engaged in organizing new churches, and building "meeting houses," in Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. His mother was Caroline McAllister, daughter of John McAllister, of Gerry. The family removed to Illinois in June 1843,-first at Bristol, thence to Freeport, where his father began his missionary work by founding the First Baptist Church of that place. Subsequently he became highly distinguished. In the Civil War he was a Chaplain, appointed by President Lincoln; and, in that office, many were the letters he wrote for dying soldiers, conveying to wife or mother the last message of love. In his childhood and youth he had the best possible opportunities for education, in excellent public schools where the rudiments of English were taught with great thoroughness, in a fair amount of manly sports, and in hard work, mainly on the farm and in building a new home, which left no time, and little inclination, for any kind of mischief.</p>
<p>At the age of sixteen he spent several months in surveying public lands in the wilds of Northern Wisconsin, and, at seventeen, taught district school in the Town of Oneco. By that time he had chosen the law as his profession, and was working hard to complete the preparatory studies, at his own expense. He returned to Freeport in 1849, and resumed "his struggle with Latin." Then the course of his life was unexpectedly changed, due to his having attracted the attention of the Hon. Thomas J. Turner, M. C. Mr. Turner, as one of the public school directors, had been present at an examination where young Schofield's subject was mathematical. Besides, he had heard of the stamina of the boy shown in the public land-surveying expedition; and also from his father the desire of his son to get a good education before beginning the study of law. The result was the appointment of Schofield to the United States Military Academy. To get there he sold a piece of land, the investment of all his little savings, thus to fit out and meet the expenses of the trip. He reported at West Point, June 1, 1849, with less than two dollars in his pocket, at the age of seventeen years and nine months.</p>
<p>He was soon met by William P. Carlin, of the second class, and Hezekia H. Garber, of the third, both from Illinois; and their protection in a brotherly way, with timely advice, saved him from "anything even approaching to hazing." For his room-mates, in the old South Barracks, he had Henry H. Walker and John R. Chambliss,-"two charming fellows from Virginia." As to incidents of his cadet life we have his own words: * * * "The first summer I was on guard only once. Then the Corporal of the grand-rounds tried to charge over my post without giving the countersign, because I had not challenged promptly. We crossed bayonets, but I proved too strong for him, and he gave it up, to the great indignation of the officer of the day, who had ordered him to charge, and who threatened to report me but did not. That night I slept on the ground outside the guard tents, and caught cold, from which my eyes became badly inflamed, and I was laid up in the hospital during the remainder of the encampment.</p>
<p>On that account I had a hard struggle with my studies the next year." * * * * * "In our third class encampment, when Corporal of the Guard, I had a little misunderstanding one night with the Sentinel on post along Fort Clinton ditch, which was then nearly filled by a growth of bushes. The Sentinel tore the breast of my shell-jacket with the point of his bayonet, and I tumbled him over backward into the ditch and ruined his musket. But I quickly helped him out, and gave him my musket in place of his, with ample apologies for my thoughtless act. We parted * * * in the best of feeling." * * * * Schofield devoted only a fraction of study hours to the Academic Course,-generally one hour, or one-and-a-half, to each lesson. He never intentionally neglected any of his studies. It simply seemed to him that a great part of his time could be better employed in getting the education he desired by the study of law, history, rhetoric, and general literature. But he never disparaged the West Point education. He has said: "As it was, and is now, there is, I believe, nothing equal to it anywhere in this country.</p>
<p>Its method of developing the reasoning faculties and habits of independent thought are the best ever devised. West Point training of the mind is practically perfect." His habit was in harmony with the expression: "He reads much; he is a great observer, and he looks quite through the deeds of men. * * * Literature gives a wide and deep insight into the nature of men and things." Due to the instructive teaching he received at West Point, Schofield, from the date of his first duty as a commissioned officer, enunciated that: "Nothing is more absolutely indispensible to a good soldier than perfect subordination and zealous service to him whom the national will may make the official superior for the time being." * * * But the relation between the Army and its administrative head, and with the civil power, are by no means so simple. When a too confident soldier rubs up against them, he learns what "military discipline" really means. It sometimes takes a civilian to "teach a soldier his place in the government of a republic." * * * His constitutional habit once led him into a very foolish exploit, at West Point.</p>
<p>A discussion arose as to the possibility of going to New York and back without danger of detection, and he explained the plan. He was promptly challenged to undertake it for a high wager, and that challenge overcame any scruple he may have had. He did not care for the brief visit to New York, and had only five dollars, loaned him by Jerome N. Bonaparte. But he went to the city and back, in perfect safety, between the two roll-calls he had to attend that day. He returned, to the Point a few minutes before evening parade, walked across the plain in full view of the crowd of officers and ladies, and appeared in ranks at roll-call, as innocent as anybody. After his entrance at West Point he attended the Bible class, regularly every Sunday, and rejoiced greatly to hear the Scriptures expounded by the Chaplain who was the Professor of Ethics. He attached due value to the religious instruction thus received, and, after he had advanced in years and was the General-in-Chief of the Army, said: "I have never even to this day, been willing to read or listen to what seemed to me irreverent words, even though they might be intended to convey ideas not very different from my own.</p>
<p>It has seemed to me that a man ought to speak with reverence of the religion taught him in his childhood and believed by his fellow men, or else keep his philosophical thoughts, however profound, to himself." January 9, 1897, before the State Baptist Convention of Florida, he delivered an address wherein he said: * * "When I was 13 years old my own father baptized me in the Jordan of Illinois. And amid all the sectarian speculations and discussions I have ever heard in more than half a century, it has remained constantly in my mind, as a fact of my own experience, that, whatever may have happened to anybody else, I have been baptized! When about 30 years of age, after careful and conscientious study, I became united to the Protestant Episcopal Church, in which faith, substantially, I have steadfastly continued up to the present time. But, for some years, members of my family, who were communicants of the Church of Rome, were criticized indirectly through attacks upon certain tenets of the faith of that church, in a manner that seemed to me unkind and unjust; but it mattered little, as to the fact, whether unjust or not.</p>
<p>Though I have always loved peace rather than war, and have never been disposed to seek a fight, that element in my nature was aroused that impels the tiger to action when his mate or her young are assailed. I did not permit anybody to attack the old church in my presence, in a manner which seemed to me harsh or unjust, without resenting the implied insult to those who were dear to me. I doubt if old Rome ever had a champion more earnest than I at least appeared to be at such times." * * * "In conclusion I will simply add, lest I may be misunderstood, that my present religious faith is to be found in that code of Christian doctrine upon which all the great doctors of divinity, of all creeds, who have studied and discussed the subjects for eighteen hundred years, are substantially agreed. And I am quite sure the Divine Founder of Christianity does not require me to bother my poor head about nice questions upon which the learned doctors are still disputing." Schofield, as a cadet, manifested that "intrepidity" which in a higher degree, distinguished him, through all the dangers and trials of his life, as a commissioned officer.</p>
<p>Once when his horse ran away with him at cavalry drill, and placed his life in jeopardy, he sat the animal firmly-with bridle and sabre hands in military position-and, by speaking to the animal, regained control and rode back rapidly to the squadron. His composure, under the circumstances, was remarkable! On another occasion, while the class was at artillery drill, elevating a heavy gun to position on its carriage, a skid gave way and the gun fell crashing to the ground,-the skids moving with great force in all directions. The members of the class moved rapidly for their lives! Schofield's serenity was magnificent! Near the last year of his cadetship, an event nearly proved fatal to his military prospects. As to this we have his own words: * * * "I was given charge of a section (of the candidates, who had reported June 1) in arithmetic, and have never in all my life discharged my duty with more conscientious fidelity than I drilled those boys in the subject with which I was familiar; and in teaching which I had some experience.</p>
<p>We had gone over the entire course upon which they were to be examined, and all were well prepared except two who seemed hopelessly deficient upon a few subjects, which they had been unable to comprehend. I took them to the black-board and devoted the last fifteen or twenty minutes before the bugle-call to a final effort to prepare them for the ordeal which they must face the next morning. While I was thus employed several of my class-mates came into the room, and began talking to the other candidates. Though their presence annoyed me, it did not interfere with my work; so I kept on intently with the two young boys until the bugle sounded. I then went to my quarters, without paying any attention to the interruption, or knowing anything of the character of what had occurred. But one of the candidates, perhaps by way of excuse for his failure, wrote to his parents some account of the 'deviltry' in which my class-mates had indulged that day. That report found its way to the War Department, and was soon followed by an order to the commandant of cadets to investigate.</p>
<p>The facts were found to fully exonerate me from any participation in, or countenance of the deviltry, except that I did not stop it; and showed that I had faithfully done my duty in teaching the candidates. After this investigation was over, I was called upon to answer for my own conduct; and, the names of my guilty class-mates being unknown to the candidates, I was held responsible for their conduct. I answered by averring and showing, as I believed, my own innocence of all that had been done, except my neglect of duty in tolerating such a proceeding. My conscience was so clear of any intentional wrong that I had no anxiety about the result. But in due time came an order from the Secretary of War dismissing me from the Academy without trial! That, I believe, shocked me a little; but the sense of injustice was too strong in my mind to permit of a doubt that it would be righted when the truth was known. I proposed to go straight to Washington and lay the facts before the Government. * * * * So I carried with me a great bundle of letters setting forth my virtues in terms which might have filled the breast of George Washington with pride.</p>
<p>* * * I had made an early call upon the 'Little Giant,' Senator Douglass, to whom I had no letter, and whom I had never met; had introduced myself as a 'citizen of Illinois' in trouble; and had told my story. * * * * He replied: 'Come up in the morning and we will go to see about it.' * * * * I waited in the ante-room only a few minutes, when the great Senator came out with a genial smile on his face, shook me warmly by the hand, and bade me good-bye, saying: 'It is all right. You can go back to West Point. The Secretary (of War) has given me his promise.' * * * * I returned to West Point, and went through the long forms of a court of inquiry, a court martial, and the waiting for the final action of the War Department,-all occupying five or six months, diligently attending to my military and Academic duties, and trying hard to obey all the regulations (except as to smoking) never for a moment doubting the final result. * * Implicit trust in Providence does not seem to justify any neglect to employ the biggest battalions and the heaviest guns!</p>
<p>* * * I had been Corporal, Sergeant and Lieutenant up to the time of my dismissal; hence the duties of private were a little difficult, and I found it hard to avoid demerits." * * Lieutenant Milton Cogswell had been very kind to Schofield during the period he was striving for restoration, and, in that connection, we have these words: "Hence after my complete restoration to the Academy, in January, I found my demerits accumulating with alarming rapidity, and I applied for and obtained, a transfer to Company C, where I would be under Lieutenant Cogswell and Cadet Captain Vincent, my beloved class-mate, who had invited me to share his room in barracks." Prior to this transfer, he had been under a tactical officer esteemed as a most accomplished soldier and tactician, and the most rigid, but just and impartial disciplinarian. Cadets under his charge were reported more frequently-even for light offences-than by other tactical officers. He had exceeding respect and admiration for Colonel Robert E. Lee, the Superintendent, and Major Robert S. Garnett, the Commandant; and often referred to their dignity, impartial justice, and kindness. They had been his friends in time of need!</p>
<p>His first orders, after his graduating leave, assigned him to Fort Moultrie, S.C., as Second Lieutenant, by brevet, in the Second Artillery. He landed at Charleston, September 21, 1853, his birthday, at the age of twenty-two years. At the usual target practice he used the same guns that bombarded Fort Sumter in 1861. As to his enjoyment in society, he has said: "Hospitality was unbounded and of the most charming character. Nothing that I have ever experienced, at home or in the great capitals of Europe, has surpassed or dimmed that first introduction to Southern society." In December 1853, he was ordered to Fort Capron, Florida, and removed to that station via Jacksonville, Palatka, Lake Monroe, New Smyrna, Mosquito Lagoon, and Indian River. It required twenty-five days for the journey which, at that time, was deemed quite satisfactory. At Fort Capron he met a garrison of four officers, and sixteen enlisted men of battery D, First Artillery, recently from the Gulf coast, where yellow fever had been deadly. The post was remote from civilization, and received its mail generally twice a month. An interruption resulted in that diversion, and no mail arrived for three months!</p>
<p>Fortunately for Schofield he had some law books so few indeed that he learned nearly all of them by heart; then, for want of anything better, he read the entire code of the State of Florida, and extended attention to the Constitution of the United States. Of the latter he could repeat the exact words. In the winter of 1853-4, connected with the armed truce between the United States and the Seminole Nation, the policy of the Government had for its object the establishment of a line of posts across the State of Florida from Jupiter to Okeechobee, and thence westward to the Gulf of Mexico,-thus to confine the Seminoles to the Everglade region. Schofield's first work, in the winter of 1854-55, was to open the old military road-route of General Twiggs-from the mouth of Indian River, across the Kissimmee and thence to Tampa. Thereafter the next step, in the War Department strategical operations, was to occupy Fort Jupiter, construct a new post there, open the old military route-road of Generals Jesup and Eustis-and build a block-house on the east shore of Okeechobee Lake. Similar work, inclusive of another block-house, was to be undertaken from the other shore of the lake westward.</p>
<p>With the western portion I was connected, inclusive of the exploration of the Big Cypress swamp and the Everglades. Thus, with the first field operations, Schofield and myself were engaged. Our topographical labors became connected and recorded through the War Department publication, of April 1856: "Florida South of Tampa Bay." In the discharge of our duties we were stimulated by being in the region of historical battlefields,-General (subsequently President) Taylor's Battle of Okeechobee, December 25, 1837, and General Jesup's, January 24, 1838, not remote from Fort Jupiter. With the advent of hot weather fever and dysentery-both east and west of Okeechobee-broke out. At Jupiter, nearly every man, woman and child sickened. The mortality was so great that hardly enough strong men remained to bury the dead! Schofield, so soon as he had sufficiently recovered from an attack, was sent with other convalescents to Fort Capron; and there he acted as Post Surgeon, in the absence of a medical officer, aided by an intelligent hospital steward. Among others nursed by him, at Capron, was Lieutenant A. P. Hill-afterward Lieutenant-General in the Confederate Army.</p>
<p>Hill subsequently nursed Schofield during his serious relapse on the St. Johns River steamer, at Savannah and Charleston; and when well enough to travel, took him to Culpeper, Virginia, where his devoted attention was continued for quite a long time. While at Capron, Schofield was promoted to First Lieutenant, and ordered to West Point, where his restored health permitted him to report the following December 1855. He ever retained vivid recollection of his Florida service, and referred to the roads cut through the roots of the terrible saw-palmetto and corduroyed through swamps, with comfort to person entirely destroyed by the song and sting of the mosquito, and the bite of the flea and sand-fly. Constant alertness was demanded, due to huge alligators, and poisonous serpents-moccasins and rattlers.</p>
<p>Connected with the expected renewal of hostilities of the Seminoles, the hardships of the exploration duties recalled the former war, 1835-42, and the peculiarity of the service to which the forces therein engaged were subjected: "There was to be seen, in the Everglades, the dragoon in water from three to four feet deep, the sailor and marine wading in the mud in the midst of cypress stumps, and the soldiers, infantry and artillery, alternating on the land, in the water, and in boats. * * * Comforts and conveniences were totally disregarded, even subsistence was reduced to the lowest extremity. Night after night officers and men were compelled to sleep in their canoes, others in damp bogs, and in the morning cook their breakfast over a fire built on a pile of sand in the prow of the boat, or kindled around a cypress stump." * * * Similar experiences resulted, to a painful extent, in the Florida hostilities of 1854-57. West of Okeechobee, almost entire commands were prostrated with serious illness.</p>
<p>Post and cantonment hospitals were inadequate, and, as a result, an extensive general hospital-approved by Jefferson Davis, then Secretary-of-War-had to be erected at Fort Myers, not remote from the Gulf coast. At West Point Schofield was assigned to duty in the Department of Philosophy, under Professor W. H. C. Bartlett: "One of the ablest, most highly esteemed, and most beloved of the great men who have placed the United States Military Academy among the foremost institutions of the world." Schofield has said that he had the great good fortune never to be compelled to report a cadet for any delinquency, nor to find one deficient in studies, though he did sometimes have, figuratively speaking, to beat them over the head with a cudgel to get in enough "phil" to pass the Academic Board. In his congenial West Point work, with the object "to develop the mental, moral, and physical man to as high a degree as possible, and to ascertain his best place in the public service,"-Schofield formed, for the first time, the habit of earnest, hard mental work, to the limit of his capacity for endurance, and sometimes a little beyond, which he retained for the greater part of his life.</p>
<p>He overtaxed himself, and was forced to take a short leave on account of his Florida debility, which had reduced him almost to a skeleton. When he returned to duty he began to pursue physics into its more secret depths. He ever indulged the "ambition to work out the mathematical interpretation of all the phenomena of physical science, including electricity and magnetism." He mastered practical astronomy, and, as a result, said: "I do not believe anything else in the broad domain of science can be half so fascinating as the study of the heavens." In the midst of his absorbing occupation, he forgot all about the career he had chosen in his boyhood; the law did not longer have its charm for him. Yet he found, in after life, far more use for the law than for physics and astronomy, and little less than for the art and science of war. In June 1857, he married Miss Harriet Bartlett, daughter of his chief in the Department of Philosophy. Five children were born to that union: John Rathbone, born 1858, died 1868; William Bartlett (now Major U.S. A) born 1860; Henry Halleck, born 1862, died 1862; Mary Campbell, (now Mrs. Avery D.</p>
<p>Andrews) born 1865; Richmond McAllister, (now Major U.S.A.) born 1867. His term of service at West Point ended in the summer of 1860. He has said that his taste for service in the line of the army was gone; all hope of promotion was still further away; he had been for more than four years about nineteenth First Lieutenant in his regiment, without rising a file; he was a man of family; and there was no captaincy in sight for him during the ordinary lifetime of man. Accordingly he accepted the Professorship of Physics in the Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Jefferson Davis, Secretary-of-War, gave him a timely hint that promotion might improve, and General Scott gave him a highly flattering indorsement which secured leave of absence for a year. Thus he retained his commission. As the period of the Civil War approached he occupied a very large part of his time in reading and studying, as coolly as possible, every phase of the momentous questions which he had been warned must probably be submitted to the decision of war.</p>
<p>He took an early occasion to inform General Scott of his readiness to relinquish his leave of absence and return to duty, whenever his services might be required. His life in St. Louis, during the eight months preceding the war, was of great benefit to him in the delicate and responsible duties which so soon devolved upon him. His connection with the Washington University brought him into close relations with many of the most patriotic, enlightened, and, above all, unselfish citizens of Missouri-some were of the Southern school; but the large majority were earnest Union men, though holding various shades of opinion on the question of slavery. They were philanthropic, and had learned to respect the sincerity of each other's adverse convictions. With the dawn that military force would soon be required, he informed the War Department that he stood ready for military service and was instructed to await orders at St. Louis. As soon as President Lincoln made his first call for volunteers orders were received by him to organize and muster in the Missouri quota. He urged the Department Commander as to the necessity for prompt action to protect the St.</p>
<p>Louis arsenal, and made known to him a rumor that an attack was to be made by persons encamped near the city under the guise of State militia. In connection with Captain Lyon, then commanding the arsenal, he was active, night and day, in getting loyal secret organizations into the arsenal, and distributing arms and ammunition to them. Thus the safety of the arsenal was secured. The strength of the force mustered by Schofield-with which the War in Missouri began-was about 14,000. June 24, 1861, he made full report of the force to the Adjutant-General, U.S.A.; and, the next day, he was relieved from organizing and mustering duty, with orders to report to General Lyon at Boonville, as his Adjutant-General and Chief-of-Staff. Lyon had been elected Brigadier-General of the militia, and, May 17, was appointed by the President to the same grade in the United States Volunteer forces. May 30, General Harney was relieved from the command of the Department of the West, and General Lyon became the commander. May 10 Lyon had marched with the force then organized and caused the surrender of the militia at Camp Jackson.</p>
<p>That force, though a lawful State organization, was an incipient rebel army, and it was necessary to crush it in the bud. In recognition of Schofield's most valuable services connected with the surrender, he was designated, by General Lyon, to receive the surrender, take charge of the prisoners, conduct them to the arsenal, and there parole them. The possession of St. Louis was thus secured, and further operations could be conducted in the interior of the State. Accordingly, June 26, Schofield joined Lyon at Boonville. The objective of the Union forces was the southwestern part of Missouri, and preparations were made accordingly; General Lyon's march began July 3, and the command reached Springfield July 13, and there met Siegel's Brigade. General Fremont reached St. Louis July 25, 1861, and, at the start, found himself in an enemy's country. St. Louis was in sympathy with the South, and the State of Missouri in active rebellion against the national authority.</p>
<p>"In addition to the bodies of armed men that swarmed over the State, a Confederate force of nearly 50,000 men was already on the Southern frontier; Pillow, with 12,000, advancing upon Cairo; Thompson, with 5,000, upon Girardeau; Hardee, with 5,000, upon Ironton; and Price, with an estimated force of 25,000, upon Lyon at Springfield. Their movement was intended to overrun Missouri, and, supported by a friendly population of over a million, to seize upon St. Louis and make that city a center of operations for the invasion of the loyal States." "General Lyon's intention was, upon effecting junction with Sturgis and Sigel (at Springfield), to push forward and attack the enemy, if possible, while we were superior to him in strength. * * * The troops had to live upon the country, and many of them were without shoes. A continuous march of more than two or three days was impossible. Lyon's force was rapidly diminishing, and would soon almost disappear by the discharge of the three months' men, while that of the enemy was as rapidly increasing, and becoming more formidable by additions to its supplies of arms and ammunition.</p>
<p>Lyon made frequent appeals for reinforcements and provisions, but received little encouragement, and soon became convinced that he must rely upon the resources then at his command.</p>
<p>He was unwilling to abandon southwestern Missouri to the enemy without a struggle, even though almost hopeless of success, and determined to bring on a decisive battle, if possible, before his short-termed volunteers were discharged." General Lyon's perplexedness was so heavy that he did not rise, as said by Schofield, "to an appreciation of the fact that his duty, as commander in the field of one of the most important of the Union Armies, was not to protect a few loyal people from the inevitable hardships of war, * * * but to make, as sure as possible, the defeat of the hostile army, no matter whether today, tomorrow, or next month." Otherwise "the Battle of Wilson's Creek would not have been fought." August 9, Lyon received a letter from Fremont, then commanding the Department, to the effect that "if Lyon was not strong enough to maintain his position as far in advance as Springfield, he should fall back toward Rolla until reinforcements should meet him." The same date Lyon replied: * * * "I find my position extremely embarrassing, and am at present unable to determine whether I shall be able to maintain my ground or be forced to retire.</p>
<p>I can resist any attack from the front, but if the enemy moves to surround me, I shall hold my ground as long as possible." * * * Differences of opinion existed between Lyon and Schofield over the question which they had been discussing for several days, namely: "What action did the situation require of him as commander of that Army?" Schofield favored that the Army should retire! After Lyon had decided to attack not a word passed between him and Schofield on the question whether the attack should be made, except the question: "Is Sigel willing to undertake this?" and Lyon's answer: "Yes; it is Sigel's plan." The night of August 9, Lyon was not hopeful. Schofield encouraged him to take a more hopeful view, assuring him that the troops were easily rallied and were gaining confidence. By 10 o'clock a. m., of August 10-an eventful day-Sigel was out of the fight, and the enemy turned his whole force on Lyon. Meantime a body of troops was seen moving down the east bank of the creek, towards Lyon's left, and Schofield deployed eight companies of the First Iowa and led them in person to repel the movement, which they did most gallantly after a sanguinary struggle.</p>
<p>Lyon, with an aide and orderlies, followed closely the right of the Iowa regiment, and the aide protested against his exposing himself to the fire of the line; and asked if he should not bring up some other troops. Lyon assented, and the Second Kansas arriving, he joined it with two companies of the First Iowa, and, leading the column, moved forward swinging his hat. The enemy opened a murderous fire, and after a brilliant charge of the column-Lyon at its head-which drove the enemy, Lyon fell, penetrated by a ball in his left breast, and expired almost instantly. The engagement is considered as one of the severest of the War. "Never before-considering the number engaged-had so bloody a battle been fought on American soil; seldom has a bloodier one been fought on any modern field." The Union force was 5,400-with 16 guns; the Confederate force 10,175-with 15 guns. Schofield "was conspicuously gallant in leading a successful charge against the enemy," for which he received the Congressional Medal of Honor! He has said: "The plan of battle was determined on the morning of the 9th, in consultation between General Lyon and Colonel Sigel, no other officers being present.</p>
<p>General Lyon said: 'It is Sigel's plan,' yet he seemed to have no hesitation in adopting it, notwithstanding its departure from accepted principles, having great confidence in Sigel's superior military ability and experience." And Sigel has admitted the weakness of "Sigel's plan" in the following words: * * * "It will be seen that the manoeuvre of outflanking and 'marching <span style="text-align: justify; font-size: 12pt;">into the enemy's rear' is not always successful. It was not so at Wilson's Creek when we had approached, unobserved, within cannon shot of the enemy's line; however, we were only 5,400 (with 16 guns) against about 11,000 (with 15 guns). In a manoeuvre of that kind, the venture of a smaller army to surprise and 'bag' an enemy whose forces are concentrated and who holds the interior lines, or inside track, will always be great, unless the enemy's troops are inferior in quality, or otherwise at a discount."</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The force engaged at Wilson's Creek arrived at Rolla August 19, nine days after the battle; and the Army of the West disappeared in the much larger army which General Fremont was then organizing. Schofield's duties, as Adjutant-General and Chief of Staff, ceased August 13; and he then took command of his regiment, the First Missouri, and, with it, was ordered to St. Louis, where the regiment was changed to the artillery arm. During that reorganization he hastily extemporized a battery and proceeded with it to Fredericktown, to meet a Confederate force under Jeff. Thompson, which had interfered with the communication to St. Louis; and even that city was in danger. The engagement was sharp and resulted in considerable loss on both sides; but the Confederates soon gave way and retreated in disorder. Schofield then left the battery with the Union forces,-about 1,000-and returned to resume his duties at St. Louis, where November 19, 1861, he was appointed by the President, Brigadier-General, U.S. Volunteers. He then reported to Major-General Halleck, commanding the Department of the Mississippi, who, November 27, assigned him to the "command of all the militia of the State," and charged him with the duty of raising, organizing, and equipping the force which had been authorized by the President. His official report, December 7, 1862, to the Department Commander and General-in-Chief (War Records, Vol. XIII, p. 7) gives an account of the purely military operations of that period. But many matters, less purely military, which entered largely into the history of that time, deserve more than a passing notice; and we have Schofield's words:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0in .5in 8.0pt .5in;">"During the short administration of General Fremont in Missouri, the Union party was split into two factions, 'radical' and 'conservative,' hardly less bitter in their hostility to each other than to the party of secession. The more advanced leaders of the radicals held that secession had abolished the Constitution and all laws restraining the power of the Government over the people of the Confederate States, and even over disloyal citizens of States adhering to the Union. They advocated immediate emancipation of the slaves, and confiscation, by military authority, of all property of 'rebels and rebel sympathizers,'-that is to say, of all persons not of the radical party, for in their partizan heat, they declined to make any distinction between 'conservatives,' 'copperheads,' and 'rebels.'"</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The "Confiscation Act," of July 17, 1862, was involved, complications resulted, and the instructions of the Secretary of War were repudiated by the President! Serious evil existed. The radical theory of military confiscation had been carried out by General Curtis, as Department Commander, for some months. Schofield, as his successor, put a stop to it! There was an appeal to the President who "directed the military to have nothing to do with the matter." August 4, 1862, feeling was so warm that a committee was sent to Washington, and Halleck-then the General-in-Chief-on August 10, telegraphed Schofield: "There is a committee here * * * asking your removal on account of inefficiency." As to this Schofield said:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0in .5in 8.0pt .5in;">"I have never had the curiosity to attempt to ascertain how far the meeting of August 4, was hostile to me personally."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Subsequent to the departure of General Halleck for Washington, July 23, 1862, there appears to have been a contest, in Washington, between the political and military influence, relative to the disposition to be made of the Department of the Mississippi. The result was its division; and General Curtis was assigned to command the new Department of the Missouri, composed of the territory west of the Mississippi River. For some months the radicals controlled, and military confiscation was without hindrance. When the change occurred, Schofield was in the field, in command of the forces assembled for aggressive operations, and designated as the Army of the Frontier. November 20, 1862, sickness compelled him to relinquish that command which he resumed December 20. The Battle of Prairie Grove had been fought December 7, resulting in the defeat of the enemy. It was evident that the campaign, in that part of the country, was ended, and Schofield took it for granted that the large force-nearly 16,000 men-was not to remain idle while Grant, or some other commander, was trying to open the Mississippi River. Accordingly he reorganized his command to hold the country we had gained, and, with three good divisions, to prosecute such operations as might be determined on. He at once commenced the march North and East toward the theater of active operations. In the divisional reorganization it was suggested that one of the division commanders should be relieved and assigned to the District of Kansas, where he had been permitted to go to look after his personal interests. That confidential suggestion was betrayed, and became known to Senator Lane of Kansas, and other political friends of the division commander contemplated for the district command. "The result of this, and radical influence in general," was that Schofield's nomination, as Major-General of Volunteers, then pending in the Senate, was not confirmed, while two juniors, of Schofield's command, were confirmed in that grade of Major-General! Subsequently Schofield had an interview with Lane, and made a note of it:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0in .5in 8.0pt .5in;">"Went over the whole ground of his hostility to General S. during the past year. Showed him the injustice that he had done to General S. and how foolish and unprofitable to himself his hostility had been. He stated with apparent candor that he had bent the whole energies of his soul to the destruction of General S.; had never labored harder to accomplish any object of his life. Said he had been evidently mistaken in the character and principles of General S. and that no man was more ready than he to atone for a fault."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">After the Battle of Prairie Grove, Schofield asked the Commanding General of the Department to let him join the Vicksburg expedition, but the request was not granted,-for the reason that he was wanted to command the Army of the Frontier. As a result Schofield said, very properly: "The situation seemed to me really unendurable! I was compelled to lie at Springfield all the latter part of winter, with a well-appointed Army Corps eager for active service, hundreds of miles from any hostile force, and where we were compelled to haul our own supplies, in wagons, over the worst of roads, 120 miles from the railroad terminus at Rolla. I could not get permission even to move nearer the railroad, much less toward the line on which the next advance must be made; and this while the whole country was looking, with intense anxiety, for the movement that was to open the Mississippi to the Gulf, and the Government was straining every nerve to make that movement successful. Hence I wrote General Halleck, January 31, 1863, and February 3. * * * The whole correspondence may be found in War Records, Vol. XXII, part ii. In my letter January 31, I said: 'Pardon me for suggesting that the forces under Davidson, Warren and myself might be made available in the opening of the Mississippi, should that result not be accomplished quickly.'" * *</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The immediate result of this correspondence was that some troops were sent down the river, but none of my command, while two divisions of the latter were ordered to the East. This march was in progress when Congress adjourned. The Senate not having confirmed my appointment as Major-General, the time of my temporary humiliation arrived. But I had not relied wholly in vain upon General Halleck's personal knowledge of my character. He had not been fully able to sustain me against selfish intrigue in Kansas, Missouri, and Washington; but, he could, and did, promptly respond to my request, and ordered me to Tennessee, where I could be associated with soldiers who were capable of appreciating my soldierly qualities. One of the happiest days of my life was when I reported to Rosecrans and Thomas at Murfreesboro, received their cordial welcome, and was assigned to the command of Thomas' own old division of the Fourteenth Corps. One of the most agreeable parts of my whole military service was the thirty days in command of that division at Triune, and some of my most valued attachments were formed there. But that happy period of soldier life was brief. Early in May President Lincoln re-appointed me Major-General, with original date, November 29, 1862, and ordered me back to the old scene of unsoldierly strife and turmoil, in Missouri and Kansas."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">May 24, 1863, Schofield relieved General Curtis in command of the Department of the Missouri. In his instructions of May 22, Halleck said: "You owe your present appointment entirely to the choice of the President himself. * * * But I fully concur in the choice, and will give you all possible support and assistance in the performance of the arduous duties imposed upon you." President Lincoln, May 27, wrote: "Having relieved General Curtis and assigned you to the command of the Department of the Missouri, I think it may be of some advantage for me to state to you why I did it.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I did not relieve General Curtis because of any full conviction that he had done wrong by commission or omission. I did it because of a conviction in my mind that the Union men of Missouri, constituting, when united, a vast majority of the whole people, have entered into a pestilent factional quarrel among themselves,-General Curtis, perhaps not of choice, being the head of one faction, and Governor Gamble that of the other. After months of labor to reconcile the difficulty, it seemed to grow worse and worse, until I felt it my duty to break it up somehow; and as I could not remove Governor Gamble, I had to remove General Curtis.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Now that you are in the position, I wish you to undo nothing merely because General Curtis or Governor Gamble did it, but to exercise your own judgment and do right for the public interest.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Let your military measures be strong enough to repel the invader and keep the peace, and not so strong as to unnecessarily harrass and persecute the people. It is a difficult role, and so much greater the honor if you perform it well. If both factions, or neither, shall abuse you, you will probably be about right. Beware of being assailed by one and praised by the other."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Schofield's view dictated to him but one course as to the military situation,-to send all available force to assist in the capture of Vicksburg and the opening of the Mississippi to the Gulf. After that he could operate from points on the Mississippi as a base, capture Little Rock and the line of the Arkansas, and then make that river the base of future operations. Accordingly he sent to Grant, and other commanders, all the troops he could possibly spare, saying that it would leave him weak, but that he was "willing to risk it in view of the vast importance of Grant's success." His loan of troops, to Grant, was returned, with interest, as soon as practicable after the fall of Vicksburg; and he was then able to advance a large force for the capture of Little Rock, resulting in holding the entire Arkansas River line, from that time forward.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Grant was touched, deeply, by Schofield's action; and ever afterward manifested to Schofield his kind and generous confidence. Schofield coupled that manifestation with like manifestations of approval from President Lincoln, and viewed them as "the most cherished recollection of his official career." President Lincoln said: "Few things have been so grateful to my anxious feelings, as when, in June last, the local force in Missouri aided General Schofield to so promptly send a large general force to the relief of General Grant, then investing Vicksburg and menaced from without by General Johnston." That communication was to the Hon. Charles S. Drake and others, a committee, then demanding Schofield's removal; and President Lincoln added: "Without disparaging any, I affirm with confidence that no commander of that Department has, in proportion to his means, done better than Schofield." After the radical committee had returned from Washington, Schofield, October 13, wrote in his journal:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0in .5in 8.0pt .5in;">"The radical delegation * * * * very much crest-fallen. It is generally conceded that they have accomplished nothing."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0in .5in 8.0pt .5in;">"Senator Lane spoke at Turner's Hall last evening; * * was silent on the subject of the Department Commander. He informed me yesterday * * * that he had stopped the War upon me, and intended hereafter not to oppose me unless circumstances rendered it necessary. Said that the President told him that whoever made war on General Schofield, under the present state of affairs, made war on him-the President. Said he had never made war on General S. 'except incidentally.'"</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">As to an attempt to obtain, from Schofield, some expression of partizan preference, between the "pestilent factions," Schofield stated his position:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0in .5in 8.0pt .5in;">"My dealing is with individuals, not with parties. Officially I know nothing of radicals or conservatives. The question with me is simply what individuals obey the laws, and what violate them; who are for the Government and who against it? The measures of the President are my measures; his orders my rule of action. Whether a particular party gains strength or loses it by my action, must depend upon the party, and not on me."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">In December 1863, Schofield received a summons, from the President, to come to Washington. At the time, he felt that his administration had been fully vindicated. He was satisfied of some impending change, and cared not how soon it might come. His toilsome command, with its political complications, was not at all to his taste; and it was with pleasure that he received the President's summons. He suspected that it resulted from continued erroneous representations to the President as to his views involving a union of the Missouri radicals and conservatives. Upon his first visit to the President, the latter repeated the erroneous representation without intimating that he attached much weight to it. Schofield at once replied by giving simple facts, and stated his true position on the question. The President promptly dismissed the subject saying: "I believe you, Schofield; those fellows have been lying to me again." Previously to this some Missouri men had stated to the President their views as to the condition of affairs in that State. The President listened, and then took from his desk a letter from Schofield, read it to them, and then said: "That is the truth about the matter; you fellows are lying to me!"</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Schofield remained some time in Washington, and had full conversations with the President on public affairs, frankly told that it was impossible for him to reconcile certain differences,-indeed that he did not believe that any general in the army could, as Department Commander, satisfy the Union people of both Kansas and Missouri; neither the man, nor the policy, that would suit the one would be at all satisfactory to the other. Accordingly, the President soon determined to divide the old Department of the Missouri into three Departments, and try to assign, to each, a commander suited to its peculiarities. But, he declared decidedly to Schofield,-and to his friends in the Senate,-that he would make no change until the Senate united with him in vindicating Schofield, by confirming his nomination as Major-General, then in the hands of the Senate Military Committee; and that then he would give Schofield a more important command!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Within a month General Grant, then commanding the Military Division of the Mississippi, telegraphed that, due to ill-health of the commander of the Department and Army of the Ohio, it would be necessary to appoint a successor; and that he desired either McPherson or Schofield. General Halleck handed General Grant's dispatch to Schofield and asked him how he "would like that?" Schofield replied: "That is exactly what I want; nothing in the world could be better."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Halleck then told Schofield to take the dispatch to the President; and Schofield in handing it to the President, said: "If you want to give me that, I will take all the chances of the future, whether in the Senate or elsewhere." The President replied: "Why, Schofield, that cuts the knot, don't it? Tell Halleck to come over here and we will fix it right away." Schofield started at once for St. Louis, to turn over his command and proceed to his new field of duty. He left his old command "without regret, and with buoyant hopes of satisfactory service in a purely military field." Crowned with pre-eminence-as soldier, statesman, patriot-he had yielded his toilsome command and its political complications. Thrice favored was he by the justness of his cause. His enemies said: "Thrice, noble lord, let me entreat of you to pardon me!"</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">On February 8, 1864, at Knoxville, Tennessee, he assumed his new command: The troops about Knoxville were: The Ninth Corps; two divisions of the Twenty-third; about 1,000 cavalry; and two divisions of the Fourth Corps. Due to contingencies of the service, some of the organizations were reduced to skeletons. Of about 30,000 animals, with which General Burnside had gone into East Tennessee, scarcely 1,000 remained; while his Army of 25,000 men had been reduced to not more than 7,000 fit for effective service in the field. Such was the result of the siege of Knoxville; and such the Army of the Ohio when Schofield became its commander. The miserable condition of the troops, the season of the year, lack of transportation for supplies and of a pontoon bridge to cross the river, rendered any considerable movement impossible. But apprehension existed and Schofield determined to assume the defensive, and maintain it, as far as practicable. He acted accordingly, and Longstreet's opposing forces withdrew across the Holston and French Broad, and retreated toward Morristown. Subsequently they leisurely withdrew from Tennessee and joined Lee in Virginia.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">On April 7, 1864, Senator J. B. Henderson, by letter, informed Schofield that the Military Committee of the Senate had reported against his confirmation, as Major-General! His enemies had not been silenced, notwithstanding his approval and support by the President, the Secretary-of-War, General Halleck, General Grant and General Sherman. It was in connection with their support and approval that Schofield said: "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." * * * * "Grant was here in the winter, and Sherman only a few days ago. They are fully acquainted with the condition of affairs. I have been acting all the time under their instructions." * * * It was during Sherman's visit that he disclosed his plans to Schofield for the coming campaign, and the part Schofield was expected to take in it. The latter has said:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0in .5in 8.0pt .5in;">"It would be difficult to give an adequate conception of the feeling of eager expectation and enthusiasm with which, having given (through his reply of April 15, 1864,-to Senator Henderson's letter of April 7) my final 'salutation' to my friends in the Senate, I entered upon the preparation for this campaign. Of its possible results to the country there was room in my mind only for confidence. But, for myself, it was to decide my fate, and that speedily. My reputation and my rank as a soldier,-so long held in the political balance,-were at length to be settled. The long-hoped for opportunity had come, and that under a general whose character and ability were already established, and of the justice of whose judgment and action, regarding his subordinates, there could be no reason for doubt in my mind. My command was to be mostly of veteran troops, and not too large for my experience. Its comparative smallness was a source of satisfaction to me at that time, rather than anything like jealousy of my senior brother commanders of the Cumberland and Tennessee."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">His first care was to provide his troops with all necessary equipments, and to fill up the ranks. "It was a refreshing sight to see the changed aspect of the gallant little army as it marched with full ranks, and complete equipment, newly clad, from Knoxville towards Dalton." He quickly won the confidence of his men; and the Twenty-third Corps confided in him, as he did in them. An old soldier was heard to say, as Schofield passed his regiment when it was under fire: "It is all right boys; I like the way the old man chaws his tobacco!" About the close of the Atlanta campaign, Sherman said: "The Twenty-third Corps never failed to do all that was expected of it."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The Twenty-third Corps and Army of the Ohio, under Schofield, was engaged in action at Buzzard's-Roost; Resaca; Dalton; Lost Mountain-numerous severe engagements; Kulp's Farm; Kenesaw Mountain; passage of the Chattahoochee; operations in front of Atlanta, and the battle and seige of that place. To take up the movements of the campaign would be beyond the sphere of this paper; but I may say that Schofield did not agree with Sherman in all parts of his grand tactics and strategy. The fact was developed as the two discussed their battles. Nevertheless, Sherman was deeply impressed with Schofield's views, and at the close of the Atlanta Campaign, requested Schofield to "write a full critical history of the campaign, as a text book for military students." Schofield hoped, as a labor of love, if for no other reason, to present his impressions "of those grand tactical evolutions of a compact army of 100,000 men," as he witnessed them, "with the intense interest of a young commander, and student of the great art which has so often in the history of the world, determined the destinies of nations." He expressed the view that:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0in .5in 8.0pt .5in;">"Sherman's campaigns stand alone, without parallel in military history; alike unique in their conception, execution, and final results; in most respects among the highest examples in the Art of War. Plans so general and original, in conception and successful execution, point to a very high order of genius."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">After the capture of Atlanta, and while Sherman's army was resting, General Hood with his army took the initiative, and, by moving around Sherman's right, struck his railroad about Altoona, and towards Chattanooga,-thence to march westward with design of changing the theater of war, from Georgia, to Alabama, Mississippi, or Tennessee. In connection with Atlanta, Sherman said: "But, I had not accomplished all, for Hood's army the chief objective had escaped!" An essential modification of the original plan, to meet the unexpected movement of Hood, was to send back into Tennessee force enough, in addition to the troops then there, and others to be assembled from the rear, to cope with Hood in the event of his attempting the invasion of Tennessee and Kentucky, or to pursue and occupy his attention should he attempt to follow Sherman. General George H. Thomas, commanding the Department of the Cumberland, and already at the Nashville headquarters, was directed by Sherman, to assume command of all the troops in the three departments under Sherman's command, except those with the latter in Georgia, and to direct the operations against Hood. Stanley, with his Fourth Corps, started by rail to Tallahoma, and was to march, as he diverged from the latter point to Pulaski, Tennessee, the point selected for the concentration of the forces of Thomas.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The foregoing was the situation when Schofield returned from an absence involving the business of his department-and reported to Sherman, near the end of October. At that interview Schofield told Sherman that the force for Thomas was much too small; that Hood evidently intended to invade Tennessee; and that he would not be diverted from his purpose by Sherman's march in the opposite direction, but, on the contrary, be encouraged thereby to pursue his own plan. Hence Schofield requested Sherman to send him back with the Twenty-third Corps to join Thomas. Sherman replied that he must have three grand divisions-one to be commanded by Schofield-to make his army, and that he could not spare Schofield. After Schofield left Sherman that afternoon, he wrote to him giving a special reason why his corps, rather than any other, should be sent back to Tennessee. No answer came to his suggestions until Schofield had made three days march, enroute to Atlanta-thence for Savannah. There he received an order, October 30, to march to the nearest rail-point and report, by telegraph to Thomas for orders. November 3, Thomas ordered him to come at once, by rail, to Nashville, with his corps, where he reported with the advance of his troops on November 5. He was then ordered, with part of his force, to Johnsonville, on the Tennessee river, where Forest with his cavalry had appeared and destroyed much property, Thomas not having a sufficient available force to oppose him. Schofield's duty at Johnsonville, where he left two brigades, was soon ended. Then he returned to Nashville, and moved at once, by rail to Pulaski, arriving at that place the evening of November 12. The situation, in Schofield's words, was as follows: * * * "I had been with the entire Twenty-third Corps to Nashville, with part of it to Johnsonville and back to Nashville, and thence to Columbia, near Pulaski, all by rail; that all of the Army of the Cumberland then in Tennessee was the Fourth Corps, and the cavalry at and near Pulaski; that General Thomas placed those troops under my command, and that they remained so until after the Battle of Franklin, November 30, and the retreat to Nashville that night; and that General Thomas did not have any army at Nashville until December 1. I had united with Thomas's troops two weeks before the Battle of Franklin, and was commanding his army in the field, as well as my own, during that time." He had assumed the command, as referred to, November 14. November 20, he telegraphed Thomas pointing out the faulty nature of the position selected by Thomas at Pulaski; and the danger that must be incurred in attempting to carry out his instructions to fight Hood at that place. Thomas very promptly approved Schofield's suggestion, and thus ended the embarrassment.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The enemy advanced, November 21, and Union troops were interposed between the enemy's cavalry and Columbia. Stanley, with two divisions of the Fourth Corps, marched from Pulaski to Columbia; and the Union Cavalry moved on the enemy's right-to cover the turnpike and railroad. The whole army was in position at Columbia November 24, and began to intrench. Hood's infantry did not come in sight until the 26th. The intrenched position in front of Columbia was held until the evening of November 27, inviting an attack, and hoping that Thomas would arrive with reinforcements in time to assume the offensive from Columbia; reinforcements did not arrive, and the enemy did not attack. It became evident that Hood would not attack that position, but turn it by crossing Duck River above; hence the army was moved to the north bank of the river, in the night of November 27. Thomas was very urgent that the line of Duck River might be held, if possible, as the arrival of General A. J. Smith's Corps from Missouri had been expected daily, for some time, when General Thomas intended as was understood, to come to the front, in person, with the corps and all other troops he could assemble, take command and move against the enemy. Due to trouble with the telegraph code Thomas and Schofield could not communicate promptly; but the former in his official report referred to "instructions already given" and said:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0in .5in 8.0pt .5in;">"My plans and wishes were fully explained to General Schofield, and, as subsequent events will show, properly appreciated and executed by him."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Schofield received information afternoon of November 28-that Hood's Cavalry had forced the crossing of Duck River above Columbia; and in that connection, has said:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0in .5in 8.0pt .5in;">"Only one thing was clear and that was that I must hold Hood back, if possible, until informed that Thomas had concentrated his troops; for if I failed in that, Hood would not only force me back on Nashville before Thomas was ready to meet him there, but would get possession of the Chattanooga Railroad, and thus cut off all the troops coming to Nashville from that direction."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Early in the morning of November 29, an infantry brigade was sent up the river to watch the enemy's movements; and at the same time Stanley was ordered, with two divisions of the Fourth Corps, back to Spring Hill, to occupy and intrench a position there covering the roads and trains ordered parked at that place, and General Ruger was ordered to join him. About 8 A.M. of the 29th, Thomas notified Schofield that Smith had not arrived, and expressed the wish that the Duck River position be held until Smith's arrival; and another dispatch designated Franklin, behind the Harpeth river, as the place to which Schofield would have to retire if it became necessary to fall back from Duck River. Schofield thereupon decided to hold the Duck River Crossing until the night of the 29th, thus gaining twenty-four hours more for Thomas to concentrate his troops.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Stanley arrived at Spring Hill in time to beat off Forest's Cavalry and protect the trains. Then he intrenched a good position in which to meet Hood's columns which arrived in the afternoon, with the result that there was a hard fight lasting until about dark. "Hood went to bed that night, while I (Schofield) was in the saddle all night, directing all the important movements of my troops." As soon as Schofield was satisfied that Hood had gone to Spring Hill, he took the head of his troops and marched rapidly to that place, and made all dispositions of his troops deemed necessary for safety. He appreciated the importance of having the pike to Franklin open, and, to learn that it was clear, sent his gallant and accomplished aid-Captain William J. Twining-to "go at full gallop (with the headquarter's troop) down the pike to Franklin, and to ride over whatever might be found in their way." The clatter of hoofs on that hard road died out in the distance, and Schofield knew that the road was clear! And his army marched across "the golden bridge by which the abyss may be crossed," enroute to Franklin!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Twilight had covered the Confederate Army, and we have Hood's words: * * * "Turning to General Cheatham, I exclaimed with deep emotion as I felt the golden opportunity slipping from me: 'General, why in the name of God, have you not attacked the enemy and taken possession of that pike?'" * * "It was reported to me at this hour (eleven or twelve o'clock at night) that the enemy was marching along the road, almost under the light of the camp-fires of the main body of the army. I sent to General Cheatham to know if at least a line of skirmishers could not be advanced, in order to delay their march, and enable me to attack in the morning. Nothing was done. The Federals with immense wagon trains were permitted to march by us the remainder of the night, within gun-shot of our lines." * * * Hood had led the main body of his army to within about two miles of the pike from Columbia to Spring Hill-in full view of the pike-and there halted, about 3 P. M., November 29. He had ordered Cheatham to take possession and hold the pike, at or near Spring Hill. If that had been done-if the Confederates had "taken possession and formed line across the pike"-Hood's forces, as an easy matter, could "have enveloped, routed and captured Schofield's forces that afternoon or the ensuing day." Hood has added: "the best move in my career as a soldier, I was thus destined to behold come to naught." There was controversy-assertions and denials-between Hood and Cheatham as to the failure. Specification need not be made here, as the subject is available in printed correspondence.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The Battles of Franklin and Nashville, followed by grand results, are prominently referred to in Schofield's "Forty-six Years in the Army," and the "Records of the Union and Confederate Armies." In the first pages 165 to 188-will be found valuable statements as to the campaign, with the addition,-pages 189 to 225,-of a sketch necessary to full understanding of the operations preceding, and immediately following, the Battle of Franklin. Schofield had said:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0in .5in 8.0pt .5in;">"It is worthy of note, as instructive comparisons, that, on November 30, Hood advanced from Spring Hill to Franklin and made his famous assault in about the same length of time that it took our troops to advance from the first to the second position at Nashville and make the assault of December 16; and that the Fourth and Twenty-third Corps, on November 29 and 30, fought two battles-Spring Hill and Franklin and marched forty miles, from Duck river to Nashville, in thirty-six hours. Time is an element in military problems, the value of which cannot be too highly estimated. Yet how seldom has it been duly appreciated."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">As to the Battle of Franklin, Schofield said: * * "The charging ranks of the enemy, the flying remnants of our broken troops, and the double ranks of our first line coming back from the trenches together, produced the momentary impression of an overwhelming mass of the enemy passing our parapets. It is hardly necessary to say that, for a moment, my 'heart sank within me!' But, instantly Opdyck's brigade, and the 12th and 16th Kentucky, sprang forward and steadily advanced to the breach. * * * A few seconds of suspense and intense anxiety followed; then the space in rear of our lines became clear of fugitives, and the steady roar of musketry and artillery, with the dense volume of smoke rising along the entire line, told me that: 'the breach is restored and the victory won!' That scene, and the emotion of that one moment, were worth all the losses of a soldier's life time."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">With the repulse of Hood at Franklin, "there was no further obstacle to the concentration of Thomas' forces at Nashville, and the necessary preparation for the offensive. * * * Thomas could have given battle the second or third day after Franklin, with more than a fair prospect of success." The shattered condition of Hood's Army prevented it from making any serious movement for some days. Eventually Hood fortified his forces near Nashville,-within firing distance,-where he remained two weeks, without firing a gun!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">December 15, 1864, in front of Nashville, the Union Army attacked Hood's, and the morning of the 16th revealed the enemy in its new position, his left where it was before,-in Schofield's immediate front,-but the rest of his line far back from the ground on which the other portions of Thomas' Army had passed the night. About 4 p. m., December 16, Thomas joined Schofield near the Union right. The troops were then in movement, and Thomas had hardly exchanged the usual salutations when shouts on the Union left announced that a division of Smith's Corps "had already carried the enemy's work at its front, and our line had advanced and swept all before it."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The resistance along the whole left and center of Hood's line cannot be said to have been either strong or obstinate. The Union losses were, comparatively, insignificant,-the Confederate fire seemed no more than that of an ordinary skirmish. What little fight was left in Hood's Army after November 30, (at Franklin) had been greatly diminished, December 16 (at Nashville). December 16, 7:45 p. m., Schofield in his report to Thomas, said: * * * "I have conversed with some of the officers captured, and am satisfied Hood's Army is more thoroughly beaten than any troops I have ever seen."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">November 30,-before the Battle of Franklin, Thomas was "not ready for the battle at Nashville" and desired that Schofield should, if possible, hold Hood back for three days longer. The action, as determined between Thomas and Schofield, was ordered, and partially executed by the movement of trains toward Nashville before the Franklin battle opened-which was at 4 p. m., November 30, continuing until after dark. Hood was repulsed at all points, with very heavy loss. At midnight Schofield's Army started for Brentwood, where, early in the morning of December 1, Schofield received orders to continue the march to Nashville.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Well may it be said that the Battle of Nashville was fought at Franklin!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">December 27, 1864, Schofield wrote to General Grant, at City Point, Virginia: * * * * * "It may not be practicable now for me to join General Sherman, but it would not be difficult to transfer my command to Virginia." * * * And, December 28, he wrote to General Sherman at Savannah: * * * "I take it the object for which I was left in this part of the country have been accomplished, and I would like very much to be with you again, to take part in the future operations of the Grand Army. Cannot this be brought about? I have written to General Grant." * * * The result was the transfer of the Twenty-third Army Corps, 15,000 strong, with its artillery, trains, animals and baggage, from Clifton, Tennessee, via the Tennessee and Ohio rivers and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, to the Potomac, in eleven days-distance 1400 miles. This movement commenced January 15, 1865, within five days after the movement had been determined upon in Washington. It was continued by water, to North Carolina, where, early in February, Wilmington was captured. March 22, when the right wing of Sherman's army reached Goldsboro, it found there the corps, which a short time prior had been encamped on the Tennessee. The movement was much impeded by severe weather-rivers were blocked by ice and railroads rendered hazardous by frost and snow. Schofield "enjoyed very much being a simple passenger on that comfortable journey, one of the most remarkable in military history, and exceedingly creditable to the officers of the War Department who directed and conducted it."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">As to the defeat and practical destruction of Hood's army in Tennessee, Schofield has said that "it paved the way to the speedy termination of the war, which the capture of Lee by Grant fully accomplished. * * * The capitulation of Johnston was but the natural sequence of Lee's surrender, for Johnston's army was not surrendered, and could not have been compelled to surrender. * * In military history Sherman's great march must rank only as auxiliary to the far more important operations of Grant and Thomas. Sherman at the time saw clearly enough this view of the case; hence his undeviating bent toward the final object of his march, disregarding all minor ends-to take part in the capture of Lee's army." We have the additional words of Schofield as to Johnston's capitulation:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">"At the time of Sherman's first interview with Johnston, I hinted that I would like to accompany him; but he desired me to remain in immediate command, as I was next in rank and we could not tell what might happen. He took some others with him, but I believe had no one present in the room to assist him in his discussion with Johnston and Breckenridge. At his last interview I accompanied him at his special request. On meeting at Burnett's House, after the usual salutations Generals Sherman and Johnston retired to the conference room, and were there a long time, with closed doors. At length I was summoned to their presence and informed, in substance, that they were unable to arrange the terms of capitulation to their satisfaction. They seemed discouraged at the failure of the arrangement to which they had attached so much importance, apprehensive that the terms of Grant and Lee, pure and simple, could not be executed, and that if modified at all, they would meet with a second disapproval. I listened to their statements of the difficulties they had encountered, and then stated how I thought they all could be arranged. General Johnston replied in substance: 'I think General Schofield can fix it;' and General Sherman intimated to me to write, pen and paper being on the table where I was sitting, while the two great antagonists were nervously pacing the floor. I at once wrote the 'Military Convention' of April 26, handed it to General Sherman, and he, after reading it, to General Johnston. Having explained that I, as Department Commander, after General Sherman was gone, could do all that might be necessary to remove the difficulties which seemed so serious, the terms as written by me were agreed to, as General Sherman says 'without hesitation,' and General Johnston, 'without difficulty;' and after being copied, without alteration, were signed by the two commanders. Johnston's words, on handing the paper back to Sherman, were: 'I believe that is the best we can do.' It was in pursuance of this understanding that I made, with General Johnston, the 'supplemental terms,' and gave his disbanded men 250,000 rations with wagons to haul them." * * *</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Schofield, from the very earliest consideration of the vital question,-restoration of Civil Government in the Southern States,-labored ardently for a happy solution, and extended sound advice to that end.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">In June 1865, after relinquishing command in North Carolina, he entered upon service in respect to the then existing intervention in Mexico by the French Emperor. It was proposed to raise an army under specified conditions; and the idea was "to aid the Mexicans without giving cause for war between the United States and France." Subsequently the proposition to raise an army was given up, and Schofield was called to an interview with the Secretary of State who then proposed that Schofield should "go to France, under authority of the State Department, to see if the French Emperor could not be made to understand the necessity of withdrawing his army from Mexico, and thus save us the necessity of expelling it by force." Schofield realized that the proposition seemed to place upon him the responsibility of deciding the momentous question of future friendship or enmity between his own country and our ancient ally and friend; but, August 4, 1865, he decided "to undertake the mission," and after several long conversations on the subject, Mr Seward's explanations and instructions were summed up in the words:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0in .5in 8.0pt .5in;">"I want you to get your legs under Napoleon's Mahogany, and tell him he must get out of Mexico!" Schofield reached Paris to find some "undue excitement in the public mind," and he availed himself of an early opportunity, given by the American thanksgiving dinner, "to intimate in unmistakable terms that (his) mission, if any, was one entirely friendly to the people of France." The following is a part of the account: * * * "The next toast was the long-looked for one of the evening, for it was known that it would call up a distinguished guest from whom all were anxious to hear. It was: 'The Army and Navy of the United States.' When the band had ceased playing 'Yankee Doodle,' Major-General Schofield rose to reply, and was received with tremendous enthusiasm. The ladies rose and waved their handkerchiefs, and gentlemen shouted until they were hoarse. The General * * * said: 'Fellow Countrymen-I want words to express to you the satisfaction which will be felt in the heart of every soldier and sailor when he learns the manner in which the names of the Army and Navy have been received by you tonight. I will at this time allude but briefly, to one of the great lessons taught by the American War-the grandest lesson of modern times. A great people who have heretofore lived under a government so mild that they were scarcely aware of its existence have found, in time of war, that government to be one of the strongest in the world (cheers), raising and maintaining armies and navies vaster than any before known (cheers). In point of character, in point of physical and moral qualities, in point of discipline and of mobility in large masses, the armies of the United States have never before been equaled (loud cheers). Yet this, great as it is, is not the greatest wonder of the American War. This vast army, as soon as its work was done, was quietly disbanded, and every man went to his home, as quietly as the Christian goes back from church on Sabbath morning; and each soldier re-entered upon the avocations of peace and a better citizen than he was before he became a soldier (renewed applause). This was the grandest lesson of the war. It shows that the power of a nation to maintain its dignity and integrity does not result from or depend upon its form of government; that the greatest national strength-the power to mass the largest armies in time of war-is entirely consistent with the broadest liberty of the citizen in time of peace (enthusiasm). Permit me in conclusion, to propose a toast which I know will be responded to by every true American-'The old friendship between France and the United States: May it ever be strengthened and perpetuated!' General Schofield's toast was drunk with great enthusiasm, and upon taking his seat the applause which followed his remarks was deafening."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Schofield continued his marked skill in diplomacy, and, January 24, 1866, reported to Mr. Seward, by letter, and also to General Grant, ending in conclusion as follows:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0in .5in 8.0pt .5in;">"An officer of the Emperor's household left here about ten days ago with dispatches for Mexico, which, it is understood, contained the Emperor's declaration, to Maximillian, of his intention to recall his troops. This may give you some idea of the time when the matter may be arranged if all works well."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The Emperor having become satisfied that Schofield was not occupied with designs hostile to France, a very courteous letter from the Minister of War was received by Schofield, and an accomplished officer was directed to report to him; and, under official guidance he saw all the military establishments about Paris. He was presented to the Emperor and Empress, and in conversation, the former desired to know as to the operations of the American Armies,-"especially the marvelous methods of supply at great distances from a base of operations."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">In August 1866, he was assigned to command the Department of the Potomac, including Virginia and the reconstruction of that state. The manner in which he executed the "reconstruction" acts of Congress, so as to save that state from the evils suffered by her sister states, is an instructive part of the period of that time. His administration was based on constitutional principles! No case arose in which it was found necessary, in his opinion, to supersede the civil authorities in the administration of Justice. As district commander he refused to make himself a party to the spoilation of the people placed under his charge! He left Virginia impressed with the belief that the good people of that state appreciated the fact that he had ever labored for their welfare.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">In that convulsive period embracing the impeachment trial of President Johnson and the quarrel between the President and Congress over the War Department, he was urged to accept the office of Secretary of War, with the assurance that the contest, which endangered the peace of the country, could be adjusted. He consented, and when his nomination was sent to the Senate, that body-in spite of the large majority in opposition to the President-confirmed the appointment with almost entire unanimity. That great mark of confidence touched Schofield very deeply! When he yielded the War Portfolio, in March 1869, to the newly elected President, he had not incurred censure from either party for any of his official acts,-he had the approbation of all for impartial discharge of duty.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Subsequent to his term as Secretary of War, his services were varied and most valuable: In command of the Department of the Missouri; as president of the Board on Tactics and Small arms; in command of the Division of the Pacific; on special mission to the Hawaiian Islands; in revising Army Regulations; as superintendent of the United States Military Academy, and in command of the Department of West Point; as president of the Board of Inquiry, case of General Fitz-John Porter; in command of the Division of the Gulf; in witnessing Autumn Manoeuvres of the French Army; in command of the Pacific Division and Department of California; in command of the Division of the Missouri, and of the Division of the Atlantic and Department of the East; as president of the Military Prison Board; as president of the Board of Ordnance and Fortification; and as General-in-Chief of the U.S. Army from August 1888, to September 29, 1895; when, as he has said:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0in .5in 8.0pt .5in;">"Came the hour when I had done, however imperfectly, all the duty my country required of me, and I was placed on the retired list of the army. Having been, at appropriate periods in my official career, by the unsolicited action of my official superiors, justly and generously rewarded for all my public services, and having been at the head of the army for several years, near the close of the period fixed by law for active military service I was made the grateful recipient of the highest honor which the government of my country can confer upon a soldier, namely, that of appointment to a higher grade (Lieutenant-General) under a special act of Congress. My public life was, in the main, a stormy one. * * * Many times I felt keenly the injustice of those who did not appreciate the sincerity of my purpose to do, to the best of my ability, what the government desired of me, with little or no regard for my own personal opinions or ambitions. But I can now concede to nearly all of those who so bitterly opposed me the same patriotic motives which I know inspired my own conduct; and I would be unworthy of my birthright as an American citizen if I did not feel grateful to my countrymen and to our government for all the kindness they have shown me."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">In the foregoing words we see the modesty of an eminently distinguished personage! For the details of his military and civil service, students-particularly the graduates of our Alma Mater-may well study Schofield's "Forty-six years in the Army," as "dedicated to the young citizens whose patriotism, valor and military skill must be the safeguard of the interests, the honor and the glory of the American Union."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">He did not pass his days in calm weather, or in uninterrupted sunshine; and he was familiar with that old remark: "That an unclouded morn is not always followed by a clear and serene evening." He fully realized, at times,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0in .5in 8.0pt .5in;">"that no virtues however great-no labors however disinterested-no piety however sublime and ardent, could protect him from the storm of persecution."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">In June 1891, at Keokuk, Iowa, he married Miss Georgia Kilbourne, daughter of Mrs. George E. Kilbourne of that city. One daughter-Georgia-was born of that union.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">General Grant had not ceased, up to the last day of his life, to manifest for Schofield a very kind feeling; and one of his last efforts, when he could no longer speak, was to put on paper, a remembrance mentioning Schofield's name. We have these words from Schofield: "It was General Grant whose voluntary application, in the winter of 1863-4, relieved me from the disagreeable controversy with partizan politicians in Missouri, and gave me command of an army in the field. It was upon his recommendation that my services in that command were recognized by my promotion from the grade of Captain to that of Brigadier-General in the regular army, and Brevet Major-General for services in the Battle of Franklin. It was Grant who, upon my suggestion, ordered me with the Twenty-third Corps, from Tennessee to North Carolina, to take part in the closing operations of the war, instead of leaving me where nothing important remained to be done. It was he who paid me the high compliment of selecting me to conduct the operations which might be necessary to enforce the Monroe doctrine against the French army which had invaded Mexico. It was he who firmly sustained me in saving the people of Virginia from the worst effects of the congressional reconstruction laws. It was he who greeted most cordially as Secretary of War in 1868, and expressed a desire that I might hold that office under his own administration. And, finally, it was he who promoted me to the rank of Major-General in the regular army, the next day after his inauguration as President." * * * "Matchless courage and composure in the midst of the most trying events of battle, magnanimity in the hour of victory, and moral courage to compel all others to respect his plighted faith towards those who had surrendered to him, were the crowning glories of Grant's greatness and noble character." * * *</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The concern of education and the interests of youth occupied Schofield's attention, and were exemplified by his life work. When consulted he stood ready to give judicious advice. He used his leisure in study, and was familiar with methods in all his undertakings. He was interested in awakening that latent curiosity in the minds of the young which is absolutely necessary for mental improvement.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">In the art military of the Ancients, he studied the undertaking of war; its declaration; the choice of generals and officers; the preparation-involving supplies; the raising of troops-their pay, provisions and arms; the march of armies; the construction and fortification of the camp, and its dispositions; the employment and exercise of the troops; the success of battles, with the manner of embattling; punishments-rewards-trophies-triumphs; sieges, and attack-and defense of positions. And thus his taste and favorite studies led him largely to evolution in the direction of those modern sciences which, in a few years, have imparted such enormous strides to the development of those mechanical means of attack and defense, changing, in a corresponding degree, the great problems of war. Illustrative of his bent, and as to artillery, aside from other arms, we have only to refer to his general order, 108, series of 1888, from the Headquarters of the Army. As to mobs and insurrections we have his general orders 15 and 23, series of 1894, from the same source. He has said:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0in .5in 8.0pt .5in;">"Science has wrought no greater revolution in any of the arts of peace than it has in the art of war. Indeed the vast national interests involved, all over the world, have employed the greatest efforts of genius in developing the most powerful means of attack and defense."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">As a result of his extensive reading and study of Ancient History he could say with the historian: "Before me stand princes and kings full of wisdom and prudence in their counsels, of equity and justice in the government of their people, of valor and intrepidity in battle, of moderation and clemency in victory, subjecting many kingdoms, founding vast empires and acquiring the love of the conquered nations no less than of their own subjects; such was Cyrus. At the same time I see a multitude of Greeks and Romans, equally illustrious in peace and war; generals of the most exalted bravery and military knowledge; politicians of exceeding ability in the arts of government; famous legislators, whose laws and institutions still amaze us, while they seem almost incredible, so much they appear above humanity; magistrates venerable for their love of the public good; judges of great wisdom, incorruptible, and proof against all that can tempt audacity; and lastly, citizens entirely devoted to their country, whose general and noble disinterestedness rises so high as the contempt of riches, and the esteem and love of poverty. If I turn my eyes to the arts and sciences, what lustre do not the multitude of admirable works come down to us display, in which shine forth, according to the difference of subjects, art and disposition, greatness of genius, riches of invention, beauty of style, solidity of judgment and profound erudition." And yet, as to that splendid scene of history he passed judgement,-he found that everything was in esteem except religion and piety! And he well appreciated the words of the royal prophet that the "Lord looked from heaven upon the children of men to see if there were any that did understand and seek God." They were wanting in the fear of God without which there is no true wisdom!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">He profited by Ancient History, and gained a fund of knowledge and gratification through a narrative deeply imbued with antiquity-its spirit and feeling. He delved for he knew that history recites maxims drawn from experience. But, by pagan lore, his mind, while enlarged, was not paganized!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">With his knowledge of the evolution of ages, he was led to general military education, and his constant effort was to advance it,-he claimed that it was indispensible to good citizenship, and to all in the legislative and executive departments! He held as to civic virtue, that it must be preserved to an extent such that in trying times,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0in .5in 8.0pt .5in;">"men will not only die for their country, but that all men shall be compelled to live for it!"</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I knew Schofield as my class-mate, room-mate and section-mate at West Point. We sat on the same bench in the section-room. We knew each other intimately, and our converse was ever open and most cordial. At his marriage to Miss Bartlett I was his groom's-man. After the death of his wife-the great affliction of his life-I stood by his side; and when a like sorrow fell to my lot, he stood by my side. I served near him during his incumbency as Secretary of War; when commanding the Division of the Gulf; when, temporarily commanding the Department of Texas; and when-for seven years-he commanded the Army of the United States, I was his Adjutant General and Chief of Staff. While he was Superintendent of the Military Academy, he asked the Secretary of War to assign me to the charge of the War Department Military Academy Division, thus that there might be one in that position who knew him, and that, formally and informally, he might be in close touch with the Secretary as to Academy affairs.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Subsequent to his retirement from active service we met quite frequently and maintained our correspondence. When in Europe he wrote, September 1904: "My health seems to be much better than it has been for several years, and that is the main element in comfort and happiness." He had concluded to remain abroad for another year; but, in June 1905, said:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0in .5in 8.0pt .5in;">"We are at length on our way home * * * my health is slowly improving, but I am still far from well * * * I shall be glad to breath my native air again."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">In the Autumn of 1905, he as usual, went to St. Augustine, Florida, for the winter. January 8, 1906, he informed me, in connection with a pamphlet I had sent him: "I shall examine, with great interest, as soon as my head has its normal condition again; Just now a conflict is on between Malaria and Quinine with the usual disturbance of quiet thought. My system seems never to have been relieved entirely from the poison absorbed so many-52-years ago in Florida, * * * otherwise I have been very well indeed so far this winter." That was his last letter to me. I was shocked when informed, by telegram that he died March 4, 1906.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Only a few days prior to his death he made a trip to Key West over the railroad now passing near the region of his early service as an officer, in 1853-4, and the battlefields of Jupiter (1836) and Okeechobee (1837). No doubt during the trip his thoughts reverted to his severe illness at Forts Jupiter and Capron, and his almost fatal relapse on the St. Johns river. It is an incident, that, over that river, his remains were carried to their final resting place at Arlington!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">He had returned to St. Augustine February 17, and had been unusually well and happy during his absence, and up to the day of his death.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Under the orders of the President of the United States, the funeral honors, due to a Secretary of War, marked the last tribute of respect. The services at St. Johns Church were impressive and pathetic. The church was thronged,-embracing the President and members of his Cabinet; Senators and Representatives of the Congress; the Chief-Justice of the Supreme Court; the Lieutenant-General, and other officers of the Army; officers of the Navy; delegations from the Loyal Legion, Grand Army, Army of the Ohio, and other patriotic organizations. The Right Reverend Bishop, Alexander Mackay-Smith, officiated with touching sadness, as he remembered "the last great figure of national importance, in the history of the Civil War, forty years ago," and contemplated the drum-beat, soon to sound, which he associated with the military signal "Lights out" * * * of a sublime epoch, significant in all the ages." Outside the church, the adjoining streets were filled by the imposing funeral escort, and a great multitude. As the cortege moved,-"sad and slow, as fits an universal woe, with martial music,"-thousands stood reverently, looking upon the funeral bier, with its casket covered by a wealth of flowers, the tribute of military organizations and mourning friends. At Fort Myer-entrance to Arlington-minute guns sounded, and soldiers bowed their heads. The commitment services,-"Ashes to ashes, dust to dust"-were followed by the volleys, the salute due to a Secretary of War, and "taps." So closed the earthly honors extended to John McAllister Schofield. The lamentations of the country marked his burial!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">As I now think of the past, my beloved and devoted friend of 57 years stands before me:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">* * * "A promontory rock, That compass'd round with turbulent sound, In middle ocean meets the surging shock, Tempest-buffeted, Citadel-crowned."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Additional well known words are applicable:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">"Let his great example stand Colossal, seen by every land. To keep the soldier firm, the statesman pure; Till in all lands, and thro' all human story, The path of duty be the way to glory. * * * He that walks it, only thirsting For the right, and learns to deaden Love of self, before his journey closes, He shall find the stubborn thistle bursting Into glossy purples, which outredden All voluptuous garden roses." * * *</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Let his countrymen:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0in .5in 8.0pt .5in;">"For many and many an age proclaim * * * Their ever loyal leader's fame. With honor, honor, honor, honor to him, Eternal honor to his name. * * * He is gone who seemed so great,- Gone; but nothing can bereave him Of the force he made his own Being here, and we believe him Something far advanced in State. And that he wears a truer crown Than any wreath a man can weave him. * * * God accept him, Christ receive him."</p>
<p><span style="text-align: right; font-size: 12pt;">Thomas MacCurdy Vincent</span></p>
<p> <a href="https://usmalibrary.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/aogreunion/id/8510">AR 1906</a></p>
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