Between him and General Blair there existed a natural rivalry.

Both were men of great courage and talent, but were politicians by nature and experience, and it may be that for this reason they were mistrusted by regular officers like Generals Schofield, Thomas, and myself.

It was all-important that there should exist a perfect understanding among the army commanders, and at a conference with General George H.Thomas at the headquarters of General Thomas J.Woods, commanding a division in the Fourth Corps, he (Thomas) remonstrated warmly against my recommending that General Logan should be regularly assigned to the command of the Army of the Tennessee by reason of his accidental seniority.

We discussed fully the merits and qualities of every officer of high rank in the army, and finally settled on Major-General O.O.

Howard as the best officer who was present and available for the purpose; on the 24th of July I telegraphed to General Halleck this preference, and it was promptly ratified by the President.