Major—GeneralGRANT。
MyDEARSIR:Ihavejustreceivedyournote，andamrejoicedatyourconclusiontoremain;foryoucouldnotbequietathomeforaweekwhenarmiesweremoving，andrestcouldnotrelieveyourmindofthegnawingsensationthatinjusticehadbeendoneyou。
MyordersatChewallaweretorescuethewreckedtrainsthere，toreconnoitrewestwardandestimatetheamountofdamagetotherailroadasfarasGrandJunction，aboutfiftymiles。Wecampedourtroopsonhigh，healthygroundtothesouthofChewalla，andafterIhadpersonallyreconnoitredthecountry，detailsofmenweremadeandvolunteerlocomotiveengineersobtainedtosuperintendtherepairs。Ifoundsixlocomotivesandaboutsixtycars，thrownfromthetrack，partsofthemachinerydetachedandhiddeninthesurroundingswamp，andalldamagedasmuchbyfireaspossible。ItseemsthatthesetrainswereinsideofCorinthduringthenightofevacuation，loadingupwithallsortsofcommissarystores，etc。，andaboutdaylightwerestartedwest;butthecavalry—picketstationedattheTuscumbiabridgehad，bymistakeorpanic，burnedthebridgebeforethetrainsgottothem。Thetrains，therefore，werecaught，andtheengineersandguardshastilyscatteredthestoresintotheswamp，anddisabledthetrainsasfarastheycould，beforeourcavalryhaddiscoveredtheircriticalsituation。Theweatherwashot，andtheswampfairlystunkwiththeputridflourandfermentingsugarandmolasses;Iwassomuchexposedthereinthehotsun，pushingforwardthework，thatIgotatouchofmalarialfever，whichhungonmeforamonth，andforcedmetoridetwodaysinanambulance，theonlytimeIeverdidsuchathingduringthewholewar。Bythe7thIreportedtoGeneralHalleckthattheamountofworknecessarytoreestablishtherailroadbetweenCorinthandGrandJunctionwassogreat，thatheconcludednottoattemptitsrepair，buttorelyontheroadbacktoJackson（Tennessee），andforwardtoGrandJunction;andIwasorderedtomovetoGrandJunction，totakeuptherepairsfromtheretowardMemphis。
TheevacuationofCorinthbyBeauregard，andthemovementsofGeneralMcClernand’sforcetowardMemphis，hadnecessitatedtheevacuationofFortPillow，whichoccurredaboutJune1st;soonfollowedbythefurtherwithdrawaloftheConfederatearmyfromMemphis，byreasonofthedestructionoftherebelgunboatsintheboldanddashingattackbyourgun。boatsundercommandofAdmiralDavis，whohadsucceededFoote。ThisoccurredJune7th。AdmiralFarraguthadalsocapturedNewOrleansaftertheterriblepassageofFortsJacksonandSt。PhiliponMay24th，andhadascendedtheriverashighasVicksburg;sothatitseemedasthough，beforetheendofJune，weshouldsurelyhavefullpossessionofthewholeriver。ButitisnowknownthattheprogressofourWesternarmieshadarousedtherebelgovernmenttotheexerciseofthemoststupendousenergy。EverymancapableofbearingarmsattheSouthwasdeclaredtobeasoldier，andforcedtoactassuch。Alltheirarmiesweregreatlyreenforced，andthemostdespoticpowerwasgrantedtoenforcedisciplineandsupplies。BeauregardwasreplacedbyBragg，amanofmoreability——ofgreaterpowersoforganization，ofaction，anddiscipline——butnaturallyexactingandsevere，andnotpossessingthequalitiestoattracttheloveofhisofficersandmen。HehadahardtasktobringintoorderanddisciplinethatmassofmentowhosecommandhesucceededatTupelo，withwhichheafterwardfairlyoutmanoeuvredGeneralBuell，andforcedhimbackfromChattanoogatoLouisville。Itwasafatalmistake，however，thathaltedGeneralHalleckatCorinth，andledhimtodisperseandscatterthebestmaterialsforafightingarmythat，uptothatdate，hadbeenassembledintheWest。
DuringthelatterpartofJuneandfirsthalfofJuly，IhadmyownandHurlbut’sdivisionsaboutGrandJunction，Lagrange，Moscow，andLafayette，buildingrailroad—trestlesandbridges，fightingoffcavalrydetachmentscomingfromthesouth，andwaginganeverlastingquarrelwithplantersabouttheirnegroesandfences——
theytrying，inthemidstofmovingarmies，toraiseacropofcorn。Onthe17thofJuneIsentadetachmentoftwobrigades，underGeneralM。L。Smith，toHollySprings，inthebeliefthatI
couldbetterprotecttherailroadfromsomepointinfrontthanbyscatteringourmenalongit;and，onthe23d，IwasatLafayetteStation，whenGeneralGrant，withhisstaffandaveryinsignificantescort，arrivedfromCorinthenrouteforMemphis，totakecommandofthatplaceandoftheDistrictofWestTennessee。
Hecameverynearfallingintothehandsoftheenemy，whoinfestedthewholecountrywithsmallbutbolddetachmentsofcavalry。UptothattimeIhadreceivedmyordersdirectfromGeneralHalleckatCorinth，butsoonafterIfellundertheimmediatecommandofGeneralGrantandsocontinuedtotheendofthewar;but，onthe29th，GeneralHallecknotifiedmethat\"adivisionoftroopsunderGeneralC。S。Hamiltonof’Rosecrans’sarmycorps，’hadpassedtheHatchiefromCorinth，\"andwasdestinedforHollySprings，orderingmeto\"cooperateasfarasadvisable，\"but\"nottoneglecttheprotectionoftheroad。\"IorderedGeneralHurlbuttoleavedetachmentsatGrandJunctionandLagrange，andtomarchforHollySprings。IleftdetachmentsatMoscowandLafayette，and，withaboutfourthousandmen，marchedforthesamepoint。HurlbutandI
metatHudsonville，andthencemarchedtotheColdwater，withinfourmilesofHollySprings。WeencounteredonlysmalldetachmentsofrebelcavalryunderColonelsJacksonandPierson，anddrovethemintoandthroughHollySprings;buttheyhungabout，andIkeptaninfantrybrigadeinHollySpringstokeepthemout。IheardnothingfromGeneralHamiltontillthe5thofJuly，whenIreceivedaletterfromhimdatedRienzi，sayingthathehadbeenwithinnineteenmilesofHollySpringsandhadturnedbackforCorinth;
andonthenextday，July6th，IgotatelegraphorderfromGeneralHalleck，ofJuly2d，sentmebycourierfromMoscow，\"nottoattempttoholdHollySprings，buttofallbackandprotecttherailroad。\"Weaccordinglymarchedbacktwenty—fivemiles——HurlbuttoLagrange，andItoMoscow。TheenemyhadnoinfantrynearerthantheTallahatcheebridge，buttheircavalrywassaucyandactive，superiortoours，andIdespairedofeverprotectingarailroad，preventingabroadfrontofonehundredmiles，fromtheirdashes。
Aboutthistime，weweretauntedbytheConfederatesoldiersandcitizenswiththeassertionthatLeehaddefeatedMcClellanatRichmond;thathewouldsoonbeinWashington;andthatourturnwouldcomenext。TheextremecautionofGeneralHalleckalsoindicatedthatsomethinghadgonewrong，and，onthe16thofJuly，atMoscow，Ireceivedadispatchfromhim，announcingthathehadbeensummonedtoWashington，whichheseemedtoregret，andwhichatthatmomentImostdeeplydeplored。HeannouncedthathiscommandwoulddevolveonGeneralGrant，whohadbeensummonedaroundfromMemphistoCorinthbywayofColumbus，Kentucky，andthatIwastogointoMemphistotakecommand。oftheDistrictofWestTennessee，vacatedbyGeneralGrant。Bythistime，also，I
wasmadeawarethatthegreat，armythathadassembledatCorinthattheendofMayhadbeenscatteredanddissipated，andthatterribledisastershadbefallenourotherarmiesinVirginiaandtheEast。
IsoonreceivedorderstomovetoMemphis，takingHurlbut’sdivisionalong。WereachedMemphisonthe21st，andonthe22dI
postedmythreebrigadesmostlyinandnearFortDickering，andHurlbut’sdivisionnextbelowontheriver—bankbyreasonofthescarcityofwater，exceptintheMississippiRiveritself。Theweatherwasintenselyhot。ThesameorderthattookustoMemphisrequiredmetosendthedivisionofGeneralLewWallace（thencommandedbyBrigadier—GeneralA。P。Hovey）toHelena，Arkansas，toreporttoGeneralCurtis，whichwaseasilyaccomplishedbysteamboat。Imademyowncampinavacantlot，nearMr。Moon’shouse，andgavemychiefattentiontotheconstructionofFortPickering，theninchargeofMajorPrime，UnitedStatesEngineers;
toperfectingthedrillanddisciplineofthetwodivisionsundermycommand;andtotheadministrationofcivilaffairs。
AtthetimewhenGeneralHalleckwassummonedfromCorinthtoWashington，tosucceedMcClellanascommander—in—chief，Isurelyexpectedofhimimmediateandimportantresults。TheArmyoftheOhiowasatthetimemarchingtowardChattanooga，andwasstrungfromEastportbyHuntsvilletoBridgeport，underthecommandofGeneralBuell。Inlikemanner，theArmyoftheTennesseewasstrungalongthesamegeneralline，fromMemphistoTuscumbia，andwascommandedbyGeneralGrant，withnocommoncommanderforboththeseforces:sothatthegreatarmywhichGeneralHalleckhadsowellassembledatCorinth，wasputonthedefensive，withafrontageofthreehundredmiles。Soonthereaftertherebelsdisplayedpeculiarenergyandmilitaryskill。GeneralBragghadreorganizedthearmyofBeauregardatTupelo，carrieditrapidlyandskillfullytowardChattanooga，whenceheboldlyassumedtheoffensive，movingstraightforNashvilleandLouisville，andcompellingGeneralBuelltofallbacktotheOhioRiveratLouisville。
ThearmyofVanDornandPricehadbeenbroughtfromthetrans—MississippiDepartmenttotheeastoftheriver，andwascollectedatandaboutHollySprings，where，reenforcedbyArmstrong’sandForrestscavalry，itamountedtoaboutfortythousandbraveandhardysoldiers。ThesewereGeneralGrant’simmediateantagonists，andsomanyandlargedetachmentshadbeendrawnfromhim，thatforatimehewasputonthedefensive。InpersonhehadhisheadquartersatCorinth，withthethreedivisionsofHamilton，Davies，andMcKean，undertheimmediateordersofGeneralRosecrans。GeneralOrdhadsucceededtothedivisionofMcClernand（whohadalsogonetoWashington），andheldBolivarandGrandJunction。IhadinMemphismyownandHurlbut’sdivisions，andothersmallerdetachmentswerestrungalongtheMemphis&
Charlestonroad。Buttheenemy’sdetachmentscouldstrikethisroadatsomanypoints，thatnousecouldbemadeofit，andGeneralGranthadtoemploytherailroads，fromColumbus，Kentucky，toCorinthandGrandJunction，bywayofJackson，Tennessee，apointcommontobothroads，andheldinsomeforce。
IntheearlypartofSeptembertheenemyinourfrontmanifestedgreatactivity，feelingwithcavalryatallpoints，andonthe13thGeneralVanDornthreatenedCorinth，whileGeneralPriceseizedthetownofIuka，whichwaspromptlyabandonedbyasmallgarrisonunderColonelMurphy。Price’sforcewasabouteightthousandmen，aridthegeneralimpressionwasthathewasenrouteforEastport，withthepurposetocrosstheTennesseeRiverinthedirectionofNashville，inaidofGeneralBragg，theninfullcareerforKentucky。GeneralGrantdeterminedtoattackhiminforce，preparedtoregainCorinthbeforeVanDorncouldreachit。HehaddrawnOrdtoCorinth，andmovedhim，byBurnsville，onIuka，bythemainroad，twenty—sixmiles。GeneralGrantaccompaniedthiscolumnasfarasBurnsville。AtthesametimehehaddispatchedRosecransbyroadstothesouth，viaJacinto，withorderstoapproachIukabythetwomainroads，comingintoIukafromthesouth，viz。，theyJacintoandFultonroads。
Onthe18thGeneralOrdencounteredtheenemyaboutfourmilesoutofIuka。Hisorderscontemplatedthatheshouldnotmakeaseriousattack，untilRosecranshadgainedhispositiononthesouth;but，asusual，Rosecranshadencountereddifficultiesintheconfusionofroads，hisheadofcolumndidnotreachthevicinityofIukatill4p。m。ofthe19th，andthenhistroopswerelongdrawnoutonthesingleJacintoroad，leavingtheFultonroadclearforPrice’suse。Priceperceivedhisadvantage，andattackedwithvehemencetheheadofRosecrans’scolumn，Hamilton’sdivision，beatingitback，capturingabattery，andkillinganddisablingsevenhundredandthirty—sixmen，sothatwhennightclosedinRosecranswasdriventothedefensive，andPrice，perceivinghisdanger，deliberatelywithdrewbytheFultonroad，andthenextmorningwasgone。AlthoughGeneralOrdmusthavebeenwithinfourorsixmilesofthisbattle，hedidnothearasound;andheorGeneralGrantdidnotknowofittilladvisedthenextmorningbyacourierwhohadmadeawidecircuittoreachthem。GeneralGrantwasmuchoffendedwithGeneralRosecransbecauseofthisaffair，butinmyexperiencetheseconcertedmovementsgenerallyfail，unlesswiththeverybestkindoftroops，andtheninacountryonwhoseroadssomereliancecanbeplaced，whichisnotthecaseinNorthernMississippi。IfPricewasaimingforTennessee;hefailed，andwasthereforebeaten。Hemadeawidecircuitbythesouth，andagainjoinedVanDorn。
Onthe6thofSeptember，atMemphis，IreceivedanorderfromGeneralGrantdatedthe2d，tosendHurlbut’sdivisiontoBrownsville，inthedirectionofBolivar，thencetoreportbylettertohimatJackson。Thedivisionstartedthesameday，and，asourmenandofficershadbeentogethersidebysidefromthefirstlandingatShiloh，wefeltthepartinglikethebreakingupofafamily。ButGeneralGrantwasforcedtouseeveryman，forheknewwellthatVanDorncouldattackhimatpleasure，atanypointofhislongline。Tobethebetterprepared，onthe23dofSeptemberhetookposthimselfatJackson，Tennessee，withasmallreserveforce，andgaveRosecranscommandofCorinth，withhisthreedivisionsandsomedetachments，aggregatingabouttwentythousandmen。HepostedGeneralOrdwithhisownandHurlbut’adivisionsatBolivar，withoutpoststowardGrandJunctionandLagrange。Theseamountedtonineortenthousandmen，andIheldMemphiswithmyowndivision，amountingtoaboutsixthousandmen。
ThewholeofGeneralGrant’smenatthattimemayhaveaggregatedfiftythousand，buthehadtodefendafrontageofahundredandfiftymiles，guardsometwohundredmilesofrailway，andasmuchriver。VanDomhadfortythousandmen，united，atperfectlibertytomoveinanydirection，andtochoosehisownpointofattack，undercoverofwoods，andasuperiorbodyofcavalry，familiarwitheveryfootoftheground。ThereforeGeneralGranthadgoodreasonfortelegraphingtoGeneralHalleck，onthe1stofOctober，thathispositionwasprecarious，\"butIhopetogetoutofitallright。\"InMemphismybusinesswastoholdfastthatimportantflank，andbythatdateFortDickeringhadbeenmadeverystrong，andcapableofperfectdefensebyasinglebrigade。IthereforeendeavoredbyexcursionstothreatenVanDorn’sdetachmentstothesoutheastandeast。IrepeatedlysentoutstrongdetachmentstowardHollySprings，whichwashismaindepotofsupply;andGeneralGrierson，withhisSixthIllinois，theonlycavalryIhad，madesomeboldandsuccessfuldashesattheColdwater，compellingVanDorntocoveritbyArmstrong’swholedivisionofcavalry。
Still，bythe1stofOctober，GeneralGrantwassatisfiedthattheenemywasmeditatinganattackinforceonBolivarorCorinth;andonthe2dVanDornmadehisappearancenearCorinth，withhisentirearmy。Onthe3dhemoveddownonthatplacefromthenorthandnorthwest，GeneralRoseeranawentoutsomefourmilestomeethim，butwasworstedandcompelledtofallbackwithinthelineofhisforts。ThesehadbeenbeganunderGeneralHalleck，butweremuchstrengthenedbyGeneralGrant，andconsistedofseveraldetachedredoubts，bearingoneachother，andinclosingthetownandthedepotsofstoresattheintersectionofthetworailroads。
VanDorncloseddownonthefortsbytheeveningofthe3d，andonthemorningofthe4thassaultedwithgreatvehemence。Ourmen，coveredbygoodparapets，foughtgallantly，anddefendedtheirpostswell，inflictingterriblelossesontheenemy，sothatbynoontherebelswererepulsedatallpoints，anddrewoff，leavingtheirdeadandwoundedinourhands。Theirlosses，werevariouslyestimated，butthewholetruthwillprobablyneverbeknown，forinthatarmyreportsandreturnswerenotthefashion。GeneralRosecransadmittedhisownlosstobethreehundredandfifteenkilled，eighteenhundredandtwelvewounded，andtwohundredandthirty—twomissingorprisoners，andclaimedonthepartoftherebelsfourteenhundredandtwenty—threedead，twothousandandtwenty—fiveprisonersandwounded。Ofcourse，mostofthewoundedmusthavegoneofforbeencarriedoff，sothat，beyonddoubt，therebelarmylostatCorinthfullysixthousandmen。
Meantime，GeneralGrant，atJackson，haddispatchedBrigadier—
GeneralMcPherson，withabrigade，directlyforCorinth，whichreachedGeneralRosecransafterthebattle;and，inanticipationofhisvictory，hadorderedhimtopursueinstantly，notifyinghimthathehadorderedOrd’sandHurlbut’sdivisionsrapidlyacrosstoPocahontas，soastostriketherebelsinflank。Onthemorningofthe5th，GeneralOrdreachedtheHatchieRiver，atDaviesbridge，withfourthousandmen;crossedoverandencounteredtheretreatingarmy，capturedabatteryandseveralhundredprisoners，dispersingtherebeladvance，andforcingthemaincolumntomakeawidecircuitbythesouthinordertocrosstheHatchieRiver。HadGeneralRosecranspursuedpromptly，andbeenontheheelsofthismassofconfusedandroutedmen，VanDorn’sarmywouldsurelyhavebeenutterlyruined;asitwas，VanDomregainedHollySpringssomewhatdemoralized。
GeneralRosecransdidnotbeginhispursuittillthenextmorning，the5th，anditwasthentoolate。GeneralGrantwasagaindispleasedwithhim，andneverbecamefullyreconciled。GeneralRosecranswassoonafterrelieved，andtransferredtotheArmyoftheCumberland，inTennessee，ofwhichheafterwardobtainedthecommand，inplaceofGeneralBuell，whowasremoved。
TheeffectofthebattleofCorinthwasverygreat。Itwas，indeed，adecisiveblowtotheConfederatecauseinourquarter，andchangedthewholeaspectofaffairsinWestTennessee。Fromthetimiddefensivewewereatonceenabledtoassumetheboldoffensive。InMemphisIcouldseeitseffectsuponthecitizens，andtheyopenlyadmittedthattheircausehadsustainedadeath—blow。Buttherebelgovernmentwasthenatitsmaximumstrength;VanDornwasreenforced，andverysoonLieutenant—GeneralJ。C。Pembertonarrivedandassumedthecommand，adoptingforhislinetheTallahatchieRiver，withanadvance—guardalongtheColdwater，andsmallerdetachmentsforwardatGrandJunctionandHernando。GeneralGrant，inlikemanner，wasreenforcedbynewregiments。
OutofthosewhichwereassignedtoMemphis，Iorganizedtwonewbrigades，andplacedthemunderofficerswhohadgainedskillandexperienceduringthepreviouscampaign。
CHAPTERXII。
MEMPHISTOARKANSASPOST。
JULY，1882，TOJANUARY，1883
WhenwefirstenteredMemphis，July21，1862，Ifoundtheplacedead;nobusinessdoing，thestoresclosed，churches，schools，andeverythingshutup。Thepeoplewereallmoreorlessinsympathywithourenemies，andtherewasastrongprospectthatthewholecivilpopulationwouldbecomeadeadweightonourhands。InasmuchastheMississippiRiverwastheninourpossessionnorthward，andsteamboatswerefreelyplyingwithpassengersandfreight，Icausedallthestorestobeopened，churches，schools，theatres，andplacesofamusement，tobereestablished，andverysoonMemphisresumeditsappearanceofanactive，busy，prosperousplace。I
alsorestoredthemayor（whosenamewasParks）andthecitygovernmenttotheperformanceoftheirpublicfunctions，andrequiredthemtomaintainagoodcivilpolice。
UptothatdateneitherCongressnorthePresidenthadmadeanyclear，well—definedrulestouchingthenegroslaves，andthedifferentgeneralshadissuedordersaccordingtotheirownpoliticalsentiments。BothGeneralsHalleckandGrantregardedtheslaveasstillaslave，onlythatthelaboroftheslavebelongedtohisowner，iffaithfultotheUnion，ortotheUnitedStates，ifthemasterhadtakenuparmsagainsttheGovernment，oradheredtothefortunesoftherebellion。Therefore，inMemphis，wereceivedallfugitives，putthemtoworkonthefortifications，suppliedthemwithfoodandclothing，andreservedthequestionofpaymentofwagesforfuturedecision。Noforcewasallowedtobeusedtorestoreafugitiveslavetohismasterinanyevent;butifthemasterprovedhisloyalty，hewasusuallypermittedtoseehisslave，and，ifhecouldpersuadehimtoreturnhome，itwaspermitted。Cotton，also，wasafruitfulsubjectofcontroversy。
TheSecretaryoftheTreasury;Mr。Chase，wasextremelyanxiousatthatparticulartimetopromotethepurchaseofcotton，becauseeachbalewasworth，ingold，aboutthreehundreddollars，andansweredthepurposeofcoininourforeignexchanges。Hethereforeencouragedthetrade，sothathundredsofgreedyspeculatorsflockeddowntheMississippi，andresortedtoallsortsofmeasurestoobtaincottonfromtheinterior，oftenpurchasingitfromnegroeswhodidnotownit，butwhoknewwhereitwasconcealed。Thiswholebusinesswastakenfromthejurisdictionofthemilitary，andcommittedtoTreasuryagentsappointedbyMr。
Chase。
Otherquestionsabsorbedtheattentionofmilitarycommanders;andbywayofillustrationIhereinsertafewlettersfrommy\"letter—book，\"whichcontainshundredsonsimilarsubjects:
HEADQUARTERSFIFTHDIVISION
Memphis，Tennessee，August11，1862
Hon。S。P。CHASE，SecretaryoftheTreasury。
Sir:YourletterofAugust2d，justreceived，invitesmydiscussionofthecottonquestion。
Iwillwriteplainlyandslowly，becauseIknowyouhavenotimetolistentotrifles。Thisisnotrifle;whenonenationisatwarwithanother，allthepeopleoftheoneareenemiesoftheother:
thentherulesareplainandeasyofunderstanding。Mostunfortunately，thewarinwhichwearenowengagedhasbeencomplicatedwiththebeliefontheonehandthatallontheotherarenotenemies。Itwouldhavebeenbetterif，attheoutset，thismistakehadnotbeenmade，anditiswronglongertobemisledbyit。TheGovernmentoftheUnitedStatesmaynowsafelyproceedontheproperrulethatallintheSouthareenemiesofallintheNorth;andnotonlyaretheyunfriendly，butallwhocanprocurearmsnowbearthemasorganizedregiments，orasguerrillas。ThereisnotagarrisoninTennesseewhereamancangobeyondthesightoftheflag—staffwithoutbeingshotorcaptured。Itsohappenedthatthesepeoplehadcotton，and，whenevertheyapprehendedourlargearmieswouldmove，theydestroyedthecottoninthebeliefthat，ofcourse，weworldseizeit，andconvertittoouruse。
Theydidnotandcouldnotdreamthatwewouldpaymoneyforit。
Ithadbeencondemnedtodestructionbytheirownacknowledgedgovernment，andwasthereforelosttotheirpeople;andcouldhavebeen，withoutinjustice，takenbyus，andsentaway，eitherasabsoluteprizeofwar，orforfuturecompensation。ButthecommercialenterpriseoftheJewssoondiscoveredthattencentswouldbuyapoundofcottonbehindourarmy;thatfourcentswouldtakeittoBoston，wheretheycouldreceivethirtycentsingold。
Thebaitwastootempting，anditspreadlikefire，whenheretheydiscoveredthatsalt，bacon，powder，fire—arms，percussion—caps，etc。，etc。，wereworthasmuchasgold;and，strangetosay，thistrafficwasnotonlypermitted，butencouraged。Beforeweintheinteriorcouldknowit，hundreds，yeathousandsofbarrelsofsaltandmillionsofdollarshadbeendisbursed;andIhavenodoubtthatBragg’sarmyatTupelo，andVanDorn’satVicksburg，receivedenoughsalttomakebacon，withoutwhichtheycouldnothavemovedtheirarmiesinmass;andthatfromtentotwentythousandfresharms，andaduesupplyofcartridges，havealsobeengot，Iamequallysatisfied。AssoonasIgottoMemphis，havingseentheeffectintheinterior，Iordered（onlyastomyowncommand）thatgold，silver，andTreasurynotes，werecontrabandofwar，andshouldnotgointotheinterior，whereallwerehostile。ItisidletotalkaboutUnionmenhere:manywantpeace，andfearwaranditsresults;butallpreferaSouthern，independentgovernment，andarefightingorworkingforit。Everygolddollarthatwasspentforcotton，wassenttotheseaboard，tobeexchangedforbank—notesandConfederatescrip，whichwillbuygoodshere，andaretakeninordinarytransactions。Ithereforerequiredcottontobepaidforinsuchnotes，byanobligationtopayattheendofthewar，orbyadepositofthepriceinthehandsofatrustee，viz。，theUnitedStatesQuartermaster。Undertheserulescottonisbeingobtainedaboutasfastasbyanyotherprocess，andyettheenemyreceivesno\"aidorcomfort。\"Underthe\"gold\"rule，thecountrypeoplewhohadconcealedtheircottonfromtheburners，andwhoopenlyscornedourgreenbacks，werewillingenoughtotakeTennesseemoney，whichwillbuytheirgroceries;butnowthatthetradeistobeencouraged，andgoldpaidout，Iadmitthatcottonwillbesentinbyouropenenemies，whocanmakebetteruseofgoldthantheycanoftheirhiddenbalesofcotton。
Imaynotappreciatetheforeignaspectofthequestion，butmyviewsonthismaybeventured。IfEnglandeverthreatenswarbecausewedon’tfurnishhercotton，tellherplainlyifshecan’temployandfeedherownpeople，tosendthemhere，wheretheycannotonlyearnanhonestliving，butsoonsecureindependencebymoderatelabor。Wearenotboundtofurnishhercotton。ShehasmorereasontofighttheSouthforburningthatcotton，thanusfornotshippingit。ToaidtheSouthonthisgroundwouldbehypocrisywhichtheworldwoulddetectatonce。Lethermakeherultimatum，andthereareenoughgenerousmindsinEuropethatwillcounteractherinthebalance。Ofcoursehermotiveistocrippleapowerthatrivalsherincommerceandmanufactures，thatthreateneseventousurpherhistory。Intwentymoreyearsofprosperity，itwillrequireaclosecalculationtodeterminewhetherEngland，herlawsandhistory，claimforahometheContinentofAmericaortheIsleofBritain。Therefore，findingusinadeath—struggleforexistence，sheseemstoseekaquarreltodestroybothpartsindetail。
Southernpeopleknowthisfullwell，andwillonlyaccepttheallianceofEnglandinordertogetarmsandmanufacturesinexchangefortheircotton。TheSouthernConfederacywillacceptnoothermediation，becausesheknowsfullwellthatinOldEnglandherslavesandslaverywillreceivenomoreencouragementthaninNewEngland。
Francecertainlydoesnotneedourcottonenoughtodisturbherequilibrium，andhermediationwouldbeentitledtoamorerespectconsiderationthanonthepartofherpresentally。ButIfeelassuredtheFrenchwillnotencouragerebellionandsecessionanywhereasapoliticaldoctrine。CertainlyalltheGermanstatesmustbeourardentfriends;and，incaseofEuropeanintervention;
theycouldnotbekeptdown。
Withgreatrespect，yourobedientservant，W。T。SHERMAN，Major—General。
HEADQUARTERSFIFTHDIVISION，ARMYOFTHETENNESSEE，Memphis，July23，1862
Dr。E。S。PLUMMERandothers，PhysicianinMemphis，SignerstoaPetition。
GENTLEMEN:Ihavethismomentreceivedyourcommunication，andassureyouthatitgrievesmyheartthustobetheinstrumentofaddingtotheseemingcrueltyandhardshipofthisunnaturalwar。
Onmyarrivalhere，Ifoundmypredecessor（GeneralHovey）hadissuedanorderpermittingthedeparturesouthofallpersonssubjecttotheconscriptlawoftheSouthernConfederacy。Manyapplicationshavebeenmadetometomodifythisorder，butI
regardeditasaconditionprecedentbywhichIwasboundinhonor，andthereforeIhavemadenochangesormodifications;norshallI
determinewhatactionIshalladoptinrelationtopersonsunfriendlytoourcausewhoremainafterthetimelimitedbyGeneralHovey’sorderhadexpired。Itisnowsunset，andallwhohavenotavailedthemselvesofGeneralHovey’sauthority，andwhoremaininMemphis，aresupposedtobeloyalandtruemen。
IwillonlysaythatIcannotallowthepersonalconvenienceofevenalargeclassofladiestoinfluencemeinmydeterminationtomakeMemphisasafeplaceofoperationsforanarmy，andallpeoplewhoareunfriendlyshouldforthwithpreparetodepartinsuchdirectionasImayhereafterindicate。
Surgeonsarenotliabletobemadeprisonersofwar，buttheyshouldnotresidewithinthelinesofanarmywhichtheyregardashostile。Thesituationwouldbetoodelicate。
Iam，withgreatrespect，yourobedientservant，W。T。SHERMAN，Major—General。
HEADQUARTERS，MEMPHIS，July24，1862
SAMUELSAWYER，Esq。，EditorUnionAppeal，Memphis。
DEARSIR:ItiswellIshouldcometoanunderstandingatoncewiththepressaswellasthepeopleofMemphis，whichIamorderedtocommand;whichmeans，tocontrolfortheinterest，welfare;andgloryofthewholeGovernmentoftheUnitedStates。
Personalitiesinanewspaperarewrongandcriminal。Thus，thoughyoumeanttobecomplimentaryinyoursketchofmycareer，youmakemorethanadozenmistakesoffact，whichIneednotcorrect，asI
don’tdesiremybiographytobewrittentillIamdead。ItisenoughfortheworldtoknowthatIliveandamasoldier，boundtoobeytheordersofmysuperiors，thelawsofmycountry，andtovenerateitsConstitution;andthat，whendiscretionisgivenme，I
shallexerciseitwiselyandaccounttomysuperiors。
Iregardyourarticleheaded\"CityCouncil——GeneralShermanandColonelSlack，\"ashighlyindiscreet。Ofcourse，nopersonwhocanjeopardizethesafetyofMemphiscanremainhere，muchlessexercisepublicauthority;butImusttaketime，andbesatisfiedthatinjusticebenotdone。
Ifthepartiesnamedbethemenyoudescribe，thefactshouldnotbepublished，toputthemontheirguardandthustoencouragetheirescape。Theevidenceshouldbecarefullycollected，authenticated，andthenplacedinmyhands。Butyourstatementoffactsisentirelyqualified;inmymind，andlosesitsforcebyyournegligenceoftheverysimplefactswithinyourreachastomyself:Ihadbeeninthearmysixyearsin1846;amnotrelatedbybloodtoanymemberofLucas，Turner&Co。;wasassociatedwiththeminbusinesssixyears（insteadoftwo）;amnotcoloneloftheFifteenthInfantry，butoftheThirteenth。Yourcorrection，thismorning，oftheacknowledgederrorastoGeneralDenverandothers，isstillerroneous。GeneralMorganL。SmithdidnotbelongtomycommandatthebattleofShilohatall，buthewastransferredtomydivisionjustbeforereachingCorinth。Imentionthesefactsinkindness，toshowyouhowwrongitistospeakofpersons。
Iwillattendtothejudge，mayor，BoardsofAldermen，andpolicemen，allingoodtime。
Useyourinfluencetoreestablishsystem，order，government。Youmayresteasythatnomilitarycommanderisgoingtoneglectinternalsafety，ortoguardagainstexternaldanger;buttodorightrequirestime，andmorepatiencethanIusuallypossess。IfIfindthepressofMemphisactuatedbyhighprincipleandasoledevotiontotheircountry，Iwillbetheirbestfriend;but，ifI
findthempersonal，abusive，dealingininnuendoesandhintsatablindventure，andlookingtotheirownselfishaggrandizementandfame，thentheyhadbetterlookout;forIregardsuchpersonsasgreaterenemiestotheircountryandtomankindthanthemenwho，fromamistakensenseofStatepride，havetakenupmuskets，andfightusaboutashardaswecareabout。Inhaste，butinkindness，yours，etc。，W。T。SHERMAN，Major—General。
HEADQUARTERSFIFTHDIVISION，MEMPHIS，TENNESSEE，July27，1882。
JOHNPARK，MayorofMemphis，present。
Sir:YoursofJuly24thisbeforeme，andhasreceived，asallsimilarpaperseverwill，mycarefulandmostrespectfulconsideration。Ihavethemostunboundedrespectforthecivillaw，courts，andauthorities，andshalldoallinmypowertorestorethemtotheirproperuse，viz。，theprotectionoflife，liberty，andproperty。
Unfortunately，atthistime，civilwarprevailsintheland，andnecessarilythemilitary，forthetimebeing，mustbesuperiortothecivilauthority，butitdoesnotthereforedestroyit。Civilcourtsandexecutiveofficersshouldstillexistandperformduties，withoutwhichcivilormunicipalbodieswouldsoonpassintodisrespect——anendtobeavoided。IamgladtofindinMemphisamayorandmunicipalauthoritiesnotonlyinexistence，butintheco—exerciseofimportantfunctions，andIshallendeavortorestoreoneormoreciviltribunalsforthearbitrationofcontractsandpunishmentofcrimes，whichthemilitaryhaveneithertimenorinclinationtointerferewith。Amongthese，firstinimportanceisthemaintenanceoforder，peace，andquiet，withinthejurisdictionofMemphis。Toinsurethis，Iwillkeepastrongprovostguardinthecity，butwilllimittheirdutytoguardingpublicpropertyheldorclaimedbytheUnitedStates，andforthearrestandconfinementofStateprisonersandsoldierswhoaredisorderlyorimproperlyawayfromtheirregiments。Thisguardoughtnottoarrestcitizensfordisorderorminorcrimes。Thisshouldbedonebythecitypolice。Iunderstandthatthecitypoliceistooweakinnumberstoaccomplishthisperfectly，andI
thereforerecommendthattheCityCouncilatoncetakestepstoincreasethisforcetoanumberwhich，intheirjudgment，dayandnightcanenforceyourordinancesastopeace，quiet，andorder;sothatanychangeinourmilitarydispositionswillnothaveatendencytoleaveyourpeopleunguarded。Iamwillingtoinstructtheprovostguardtoassistthepoliceforcewhenanycombinationismadetoostrongforthemtoovercome;butthecitypoliceshouldbestrongenoughforanyprobablecontingency。Thecostofmaintainingthispoliceforcemustnecessarilyfalluponallcitizensequitably。Iamnotwilting，nordoIthinkitgoodpolicy，forthecityauthoritiestocollectthetaxesbelongingtotheStateandCounty，asyourecommend;forthesewouldhavetoberefunded。Bettermeettheexpensesatoncebyanewtaxonallinterested。Therefore，ifyou，onconsultationwiththepropermunicipalbody，willframeagoodbillfortheincreaseofyourpoliceforce，andforraisingthenecessarymeansfortheirsupportandmaintenance，Iwillapproveitandaidyouinthecollectionofthetax。Ofcourse，Icannotsuggesthowthistaxshouldbelaid，butIthinkthatitshouldbemadeuniformonallinterests，realestate，andpersonalproperty，includingmoney，andmerchandise。