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 and subsequently on the Mississippi; that they did not share with their comrades the successes and glories of the Atlanta campaign; for which I had designed them; and; indeed; they; did not join our army till jest in time to assist General George H。 Thomas to defeat General Hood before Nashville; on the 15th and 16th of December; 1864。

General Grant's letter of instructions; which was brought me by General Butterfield; who had followed me to New Orleans; enjoined on me; after concluding with General Banks the details for his Red River expedition; to make all necessary arrangements for furloughing the men entitled to that privilege; and to hurry back to the army at Huntsville; Alabama。  I accordingly gave the necessary orders to General McPherson; at Vicksburg; and continued up the river toward Memphis。  On our way we met Captain Badeau; of General Grant's staff; bearing the following letter; of March 4th; which I answered on the 10th; and sent the answer by General Butterfield; who had accompanied me up from New Orleans。  Copies of both were also sent to General McPherson; at Vicksburg:

'Private。'

NASHVILLE; TENNESEE; March 4; 1864

DEAR SHERMAN: The bill reviving the grade of lieutenant…general in the army has become a law; and my name has been sent to the Senate for the place。

I now receive orders to report at Washington immediately; in person; which indicates either a confirmation or a likelihood of confirmation。  I start in the morning to comply with the order; but I shall say very distinctly on my arrival there that I shall accept no appointment which will require me to make that city my headquarters。  This; however; is not what I started out to write about。

While I have been eminently successful in this war; in at least gaining the confidence of the public; no one feels more than I how much of this success is due to the energy; skill; and the harmonious putting forth of that energy and skill; of those whom it has been my good fortune to have occupying subordinate positions under me。

There are many officers to whom these remarks are applicable to a greater or less degree; proportionate to their ability as soldiers; but what I want is to express my thanks to you and McPherson; as the men to whom; above all others; I feel indebted for whatever I have had of success。  How far your advice and suggestions have been of assistance; you know。  How far your execution of whatever has been given you to do entitles you to the reward I am receiving; you cannot know as well as I do。  I feel all the gratitude this letter would express; giving it the most flattering construction。

The word you I use in the plural; intending it for McPherson also。 I should write to him; and will some day; but; starting in the morning; I do not know that I will find time just now。  Your friend;

U。 S。 GRANT; Major…General。



'PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL'

NEAR MEMPHIS; March 10; 1864

General GRANT。

DEAR GENERAL: I have your more than kind and characteristic letter of the 4th; and will send a copy of it to General McPherson at once。

You do yourself injustice and us too much honor in assigning to us so large a share of the merits which have led to your high advancement。  I know you approve the friendship I have ever professed to you; and will permit me to continue as heretofore to manifest it on all proper occasions。

You are now Washington's legitimate successor; and occupy a position of almost dangerous elevation; but if you can continue as heretofore to be yourself; simple; honest; and unpretending; you will enjoy through life the respect and love of friends; and the homage of millions of human beings who will award to you a large share for securing to them and their descendants a government of law and stability。

I repeat; you do General McPherson and myself too much honor。  At Belmont you manifested your traits; neither of us being near; at Donelson also you illustrated your whole character。  I was not near; and General McPherson in too subordinate a capacity to influence you。

Until you had won Donelson; I confess I was almost cowed by the terrible array of anarchical elements that presented themselves at every point; but that victory admitted the ray of light which I have followed ever since。

I believe you are as brave; patriotic; and just; as the great prototype Washington; as unselfish; kind…hearted; and honest; as a man should be; but the chief characteristic in your nature is the simple faith in success you have always manifested; which I can liken to nothing else than the faith a Christian has in his Saviour。

This faith gave you victory at Shiloh and Vicksburg。  Also; when you have completed your best preparations; you go into battle without hesitation; as at Chattanoogano doubts; no reserve; and I tell you that it was this that made us act with confidence。  I knew wherever I was that you thought of me; and if I got in a tight place you would comeif alive。

My only points of doubt were as to your knowledge of grand strategy; and of books of science and history; but I confess your common…sense seems to have supplied all this。

Now as to the future。  Do not stay in Washington。  Halleck is better qualified than you are to stand the buffets of intrigue and policy。  Come out West; take to yourself the whole Mississippi Valley; let us make it dead…sure; and I tell you the Atlantic slope and Pacific shores will follow its destiny as sure as the limbs of a tree live or die with the main trunk!  We have done much; still much remains to be done。  Time and time's influences are all with us; we could almost afford to sit still and let these influences work。  Even in the seceded States your word now would go further than a President's proclamation; or an act of Congress。

For God's sake and for your country's sake; come out of Washington! I foretold to General Halleck; before he left Corinth; the inevitable result to him; and I now exhort you to come out West。 Here lies the seat of the coming empire; and from the West; when our task is done; we will make short work of Charleston and Richmond; and the impoverished coast of the Atlantic。  Your sincere friend;

W。 T。 SHERMAN


We reached Memphis on the 13th; where I remained some days; but on the 14th of March received from General Grant a dispatch to hurry to Nashville in person by the 17th; if possible。  Disposing of all matters then pending; I took a steamboat to Cairo; the cars thence to Louisville and Nashville; reaching that place on the 17th of March; 1864。

I found General Grant there。  He had been to Washington and back; and was ordered to return East to command all the armies of the United States; and personally the Army of the Potomac。  I was to succeed him in command of the Military Division of the Mississippi; embracing the Departments of the Ohio; Cumberland; Tennessee; and Arkansas。  General Grant was of course very busy in winding up all matters of business; in transferring his command to me; and in preparing for what was manifest would be the great and closing campaign of our civil war。  Mrs。 Grant and some of their children were with him; and occupied a large house in Nashville; which was used as an office; dwelling; and every thing combined。

On the 18th of March I had issued orders assuming command of the Military Division of the Mississippi; and was seated in the office; when the general came in and said they were about to present him a sword; inviting me to come and see the ceremony。  I went back into what was the dining…room of the house; on the table lay a rose…wood box; containing a sword; sash; spurs; etc。; and round about the table were grouped Mrs。 Grant; Nelly; and one or two of the boys。 I was introduced to a large; corpulent gentleman; as the mayor; and another citizen; who had come down from Galena to make this presentation of a sword to their fellow…townsman。  I think that Rawlins; Bowers; Badeau; and one or more of General Grant's personal staff; were present。  The mayor rose and in the most dignified way read a finished speech to General Grant; who stood; as usual; very awkwardly; and the mayor closed his speech by handing him the resolutions of the City Council engrossed on parchment; with a broad ribbon and large seal attached。  After the mayor had fulfilled his office so well; General Grant said: 〃Mr。 Mayor; as I knew that this ceremony was to occur; and as I am not used to speaking; I have written something in reply。〃  He then began to fumble in his pockets; first his breast…coat pocket; then his pants; vest; etc。; and after considerable delay he pulled out a crumpled piece of common yellow cartridge…paper; which he handed to the mayor。  His whole manner was awkward in the extreme; yet perfectly characteristic; and in strong contrast with the elegant parchment and speech of the mayor。  When read; however; the substance of his answer was most excellent; short; concise; and; if it had been delivered by word of mouth; would have been all that the occasion required。

I could not help laughing at a scene so characteristic of the man who then stood prominent before the country; and to whom all had turned as the only one qualified to guide the nation in a war that had become painfully critical。  With copies of the few letters 

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