[The Memoirs of General W. T. Sherman by William T. Sherman]@TWC D-Link book
The Memoirs of General W. T. Sherman

CHAPTER IX
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Renick said, "What do you want with General Fremont ?" I said I had come to see him on business; and he added, "You don't suppose that he will see such as you ?" and went on to retail all the scandal of the day: that Fremont was a great potentate, surrounded by sentries and guards; that he had a more showy court than any real king; that he kept senators, governors, and the first citizens, dancing attendance for days and weeks before granting an audience, etc.; that if I expected to see him on business, I would have to make my application in writing, and submit to a close scrutiny by his chief of staff and by his civil surroundings.

Of course I laughed at all this, and renewed my simple inquiry as to where was his office, and was informed that he resided and had his office at Major Brant's new house on Chouteau Avenue.

It was then late in the afternoon, and I concluded to wait till the next morning; but that night I received a dispatch from General Anderson in Louisville to hurry back, as events were pressing, and he needed me.
Accordingly, I rose early next morning before daybreak, got breakfast with the early railroad-passengers, and about sunrise was at the gate of General Fremont's headquarters.

A sentinel with drawn sabre paraded up and down in front of the house.

I had on my undress uniform indicating my rank, and inquired of the sentinel, "Is General Fremont up ?" He answered, "I don't know." Seeing that he was a soldier by his bearing, I spoke in a sharp, emphatic voice, "Then find out." He called for the corporal of the guard, and soon a fine-looking German sergeant came, to whom I addressed the same inquiry.


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