urloined and
hid the large drum. He was detected and indicted for larceny.
The Attorney-General, for the Government, maintained that
everything that went to constitute the crime of larceny existed
there. He had taken secretly another man's property from his
possession, for purposes of his own. Whether he meant to
destroy it or hide it or to convert it to his own use made
no difference in the offence against the owner or against
the law. On the other hand the defendant's counsel argued
that it was a mere matter of mischief; that there was no felonious
intent, and no purpose to deprive the owner permanently of
the property. The Chief Justice charged very strongly for
the Commonwealth. The jury very reluctantly brought in a
verdict of guilty. The poor fellow was sorely distressed.
He was convicted as a thief. His life seemed to be blighted
and ruined past hope. The Chief Justice said: "Mr. Clerk,
you may record the verdict. I may as well sentence him now.
I shall fine him a dollar, without costs. I once stole a
drum myself."

John A. Logan was a member of the House when I entered it,
and I served with him in the Senate also. He was a man of
remarkable power, and remarkable influence, both with the
Senate and with the people. It is, I believe, agreed by all
authorities that we had no abler officer in the Civil War
than he, except those who were educated at West Point. He
was always a great favorite with the veteran soldiers. He
was rough in speech, and cared little for refinements in
manner. He was said to be an uneducated man. But I believe
he was a man of a good many accomplishments; that he spoke
some foreign languages well, and had a pretty good knowledge
of our political history. He was exceedingly imperious and
domineering, impatient of contradiction in any matter which
he had in charge. So he was rather an uncomfortable man to
get along with. He was especially sensitive of any ridicule
or jesting at his expense. He was supposed, I know not how
truly, to be exceedingly impatient and ready for war on any
man who crossed his path. But his behaviour when he was ordered
to supersede General Thomas, just before the battle at Nashville
and Franklin, is a noble instance of magnanimity.

When Sherman started for the sea, Hood, with a large rebel
army, was in his rear. Gen. Thomas was ordered to attack
him. But he delayed and delayed till the authorities at Washington
grew impatient and ordere