is death and cherish his memory as that of
one who, though comparatively young, had risen by his merit and
ability to the command of one of the best armies which the nation had
called into existence to vindicate her honor and integrity. History
tells of but few who so blended the grace and the gentleness of the
friend with the dignity, courage, faith and manliness of the soldier.
His public enemies, even the men who directed the fatal shot, never
spoke or wrote of him without expressions of marked respect. Those
whom he commanded loved him even to idolatry, and I, his associate and
commander, fail in words adequate to express my opinion of his great
worth.

General McPherson was so dear to our old Army that the great victory at
the Battle of Atlanta was never spoken of by our Army except to express
our great grief at the loss of our commander. His faith in what he could
accomplish with our Army was unbounded. He spoke of us on July 4, 1863, as
follows:

With tireless energy, with sleepless vigilance, by night and by day,
with battery and with rifle-pits, with trench and mine, you made your
sure approaches, until, overcome by fatigue and driven to despair in
the attempt to oppose your irresistible progress, the whole garrison
of over 30,000 men, with all their arms and munitions of war, have, on
this, the anniversary of our National Independence, surrendered to the
invincible troops of the Army of the Tennessee. The achievements of
this hour will give a new meaning to this memorable day, and Vicksburg
will brighten the glow of the patriot's heart which kindles at the
mention of Bunker Hill and Yorktown. This is indeed an auspicious day
for you. The God of Battle is with you. The dawn of a conquered peace
is breaking upon you. The plaudits of an admiring world will hail you
wherever you go, and it will be an ennobling heritage, surpassing all
riches, to have been of the Army of the Tennessee on the Fourth of
July, 1863.

Next we erected the statue, facing Pennsylvania Avenue, of General John A.
Rawlins, who, above all, represented the organization and spirit of our
great Army, and who shared its fortunes from beginning to end as Chief of
Staff of its first and greatest commander. In 1873, upon the death of
General Rawlins, General John A. Logan spoke of him thus:

But there is one whose tongue is now still in death w