“BECAUSE HE WAS A CHRISTIAN.”
In Sherman’s campaign it became necessary, in the opinion of the leader, to change commanders. O. O. Howard was promoted to lead a division which had been under the command of another general. Howard went thru the campaign at the head of the division, and on to Washington to take part in the review. The night before the veterans were to march down Pennsylvania Avenue, General Sherman sent for General Howard, and said to him:— “Howard, the politicians and the friends of the man whom you succeeded are bound that he shall ride at the head of his old corps, and I want you to help me out.” “But it is my command,” said Howard, “and I am entitled to ride at its head.” “Of course you are,” said Sherman. “You led them thru Georgia and the Carolinas, but, Howard, you are a Christian.” “What do you mean?” replied Howard. “If you put it on that ground, it changes the whole business. What do you mean, General Sherman?” “I mean you can stand the disappointment. You are a Christian.” “Putting it on that ground, there is but one answer. Let him ride at the head of his corps.” “Yes, let him have the honor,” added Sherman, “but, Howard, you will report to me at 9 o’clock, and ride by my side at the head of the whole army.” In vain Howard protested, but Sherman said gently but authoritatively, “You are under my orders.” When the bugle sounded the next morning, Howard was found trembling like a leaf, and it required another order from General Sherman before he was willing to take the place assigned to him. He had, as a Christian, yielded the place to another which rightly belonged to him, and in the grand review found himself not at the head of the corps, but at the head of the army. Even worldly men know where Christians should be who have laid down their lives in self-sacrifice for others.—Selected.