where，ontheSundayprevious，threebrigadesoftheenemyhadassaultedandmetabloodyrepulse。Now，allwaspeacefulandquiet;butafewhoursbefore，thedeadlybulletsoughtitsvictimallroundaboutthathillybarrier。
Thegeneralexplainedtomefullyandfranklywhathehaddone，andwhatheproposedtodo。HeaskedofmenothingbutGeneralGranger’scommand;andsuggested，inviewofthelargeforceIhadbroughtfromChattanooga，thatIshouldreturnwithdueexpeditiontothelineoftheHiawasaee，lestBragg，reenforced，mighttakeadvantageofourabsencetoresumetheoffensive。Iaskedhimtoreducethistowriting，whichhedid，andIhereintroduceitaspartofmyreport:
HEADQUARTERSOFTHEOHIO
KNOXVILLE，December7，1863
Major—GeneralW。T。SHERMAN，commanding，etc。
GENERAL:IdesiretoexpresstoyouandyourcommandmymostheartythanksandgratitudeforyourpromptnessincomingtoourreliefduringthesiegeofKnoxville，andIamsatisfiedyourapproachservedtoraisethesiege。Theemergencyhavingpassed，Idonotdeem，forthepresent，anyotherportionofyourcommandbutthecorpsofGeneralGrangernecessaryforoperationsinthissection;
and，inasmuchasGeneralGranthasweakenedtheforcesimmediatelywithhiminordertorelieveus（therebyrenderingthepositionofGeneralThomaslesssecure），Ideemitadvisablethatallthetroopsnowhere，savethosecommandedbyGeneralGranger，shouldreturnatoncetowithinsupportingdistanceoftheforcesinfrontofBragg’sarmy。Inbehalfofmycommand，Idesireagaintothankyouandyourcommandforthekindnessyouhavedoneus。
Iam，general，veryrespectfully，yourobedientservant，A。E。BURNSIDE，Major—Generalcommanding。
Accordingly，havingseenGeneralBurnside’sforcesmoveoutofKnoxvilleinpursuitofLongstreet，andGeneralGranger’smovein，Iputinmotionmyowncommandtoreturn。GeneralHowardwasorderedtomove，viaDavis’sFordandSweetwater，toAthena，withaguardforwardatCharleston，toholdandrepairthebridgewhichtheenemyhadretakenafterourpassageup。GeneralJeff。C。
DavismovedtoColumbus，ontheHiawaesee，viaMadisonville，andthetwodivisionsoftheFifteenthCorpsmovedtoTellicoPlains，tocovermovementofcavalryacrossthemountainsintoGeorgia，toovertakeawagon—trainwhichhaddodgedusonourwayup，andhadescapedbywayofMurphy。Subsequently，onareportfromGeneralHowardthattheenemyheldCharleston，IdivertedGeneralEwing’sdivisiontoAthena，andwentinpersontoTellicowithGeneralMorganL。Smith’sdivision。Bythe9thallourtroopswereinposition，andweheldtherichcountrybetweentheLittleTennesseeandtheHiawasaee。Thecavalry，underColonelLong，passedthemountainatTellico，andproceededaboutseventeenmilesbeyondMurphy，whenColonelLong，deeminghisfartherpursuitofthewagon—trainuseless，returnedonthe12thtoTellico。IthenorderedhimandthedivisionofGeneralMorganL。SmithtomovetoCharleston，towhichpointIhadpreviouslyorderedthecorpsofGeneralHoward。
Onthe14thofDecemberallofmycommandinthefieldlayalongtheHiawassee。HavingcommunicatedtoGeneralGranttheactualstateofaffairs，Ireceivedorderstoleave，onthelineoftheHiawassee，allthecavalry，andcometoChattanoogawiththerestofmycommand。IleftthebrigadeofcavalrycommandedbyColonelLong，reenforcedbytheFifthOhioCavalry（Lieutenant—ColonelHeath）——theonlycavalryproperlybelongingtotheFifteenthArmyCorps——atCharleston，andwiththeremaindermovedbyeasymarches，byClevelandandTyner’sDepot，intoChattanooga，whereIreceivedinpersonfromGeneralGrantorderstotransferbacktotheirappropriatecommandsthecorpsofGeneralHowardandthedivisioncommandedbyGeneralJeff。C。Davis，andtoconducttheFifteenthArmyCorpstoitsnewfieldofoperations。
ItwillthusappearthatwehavebeenconstantlyinmotionsinceourdeparturefromtheBigBlack，inMississippi，untilthepresentmoment。Ihavebeenunabletoreceivefromsubordinatecommanderstheusualfull，detailedreportsofevents，andhavethereforebeencompelledtomakeupthisreportfrommyownpersonalmemory;but，assoonsopossible，subordinatereportswillbereceivedanddulyforwarded。
Inreviewingthefacts，Imustdojusticetothemenofmycommandforthepatience，cheerfulness，andcouragewhichofficersandmenhavedisplayedthroughout，inbattle，onthemarch，andincamp。
Forlongperiods，withoutregularrationsorsuppliesofanykind，theyhavemarchedthroughmudandoverrocks，sometimesbarefooted，withoutamurmur。Withoutamoment’srestafteramarchofoverfourhundredmiles，withoutsleepforthreesuccessivenights，wecrossedtheTennessee，foughtourpartofthebattleofChattanooga，pursuedtheenemyoutofTennessee，andthenturnedmorethanahundredandtwentymilesnorthandcompelledLongstreettoraisethesiegeofKnoxville，whichgavesomuchanxietytothewholecountry。ItishardtorealizetheimportanceoftheseeventswithoutrecallingthememoryofthegeneralfeelingwhichpervadedallmindsatChattanoogapriortoourarrival。IcannotspeakoftheFifteenthArmyCorpswithoutaseemingvanity;butasIamnolongeritscommander，IassertthatthereisnobetterbodyofsoldiersinAmericathanit。Iwishalltofeelajustprideinitsrealhonors。
ToGeneralHowardandhiscommand，toGeneralJeff。C。Davisandhis，Iammorethanusuallyindebtedfortheintelligenceofcommandersandfidelityofcommands。ThebrigadeofColonelBushbeck，belongingtotheEleventhCorps，whichwasthefirsttocomeoutofChattanoogatomyflank，foughtattheTunnelHill，inconnectionwithGeneralEwing’sdivision，anddisplayedacouragealmostamountingtorashness。Followingtheenemyalmosttothetunnel—gorge，itlostmanyvaluablelives，prominentamongthemLieutenant—ColonelTaft，spokenofasamostgallantsoldier。
InGeneralHowardthroughoutIfoundapolishedandChristiangentleman，exhibitingthehighestandmostchivalrictraitsofthesoldier。GeneralDavishandledhisdivisionwithartisticskill，moreespeciallyatthemomentweencounteredtheenemy’srear—guard，nearGraysville，atnightfall。ImustawardtothisdivisionthecreditofthebestorderduringourmovementthroughEastTennessee，whenlongmarchesandthenecessityofforagingtotherightandleftgavesomereasonfordisorderedranks:
Inasmuchasexceptionmaybetakentomyexplanationofthetemporaryconfusion，duringthebattleofChattanooga，ofthetwobrigadesofGeneralMatthiasandColonelRaum，IwillherestatethatIsawthewhole;andattachnoblametoanyone。Accidentswillhappeninbattle，aselsewhere;andatthepointwheretheysomanfullywenttorelievethepressureonotherpartsofourassaultingline，theyexposedthemselvesunconsciouslytoanenemyvastlysuperiorinforce，andfavoredbytheshapeoftheground。
Hadthatenemycomeoutonequalterms，thosebrigadesworldhaveshowntheirmettle，whichhasbeentriedmorethanoncebeforeandstoodthetestoffire。Theyreformedtheirranks，andwerereadytosupportGeneralEwing’sdivisioninaveryfewminutes;andthecircumstancewouldhavehardlycalledfornoticeonmypart，hadnotothersreportedwhatwasseenfromChattanooga，adistanceofnearlyfivemiles，fromwherecouldonlybeseenthetroopsintheopenfieldinwhichthisaffairoccurred。
InowsubjointhebestreportofcasualtiesIamabletocompilefromtherecordsthusfarreceived:
Killed;Wounded;andMissing……1949
NoreportfromGeneralDavis’sdivision，butlossissmall。
Amongthekilledweresomeofourmostvaluableofficers:ColonelsPutnam，Ninety—thirdIllinois;O’Meara，NinetiethIllinois;andTorrence，ThirtiethIowa;Lieutenant—Colonel—Taft，oftheEleventhCorps;andMajorBushnell，ThirteenthIllinois。
AmongthewoundedareBrigadier—GeneralsGilesA。Smith，Corse，andMatthias;ColonelRaum;ColonelWaugelin，TwelfthMissouri;
Lieutenant—ColonelPartridge，ThirteenthIllinois;MajorP。I。
Welsh，Fifty—sixthIllinois;andMajorNathanMcAlla，TenthIowa。
AmongthemissingisLieutenant—ColonelArcher，SeventeenthIowa。
Myreportisalreadysolong，thatImustforbearmentioningactsofindividualmerit。Thesewillberecordedinthereportsofdivisioncommanders，whichIwillcheerfullyindorse;butImnstsaythatitisbutjusticethatcolonelsofregiments，whohavesolongandsowellcommandedbrigades，asinthefollowingcases，shouldbecommissionedtothegradewhichtheyhavefilledwithsomuchusefulnessandcredittothepublicservice，viz。:ColonelJ。
R。Cockerell，Seventieth，Ohio;ColonelJ。M。Loomis，Twenty—sixthIllinois;ColonelC。C。Walcutt，Forty—sixthOhio;ColonelJ。A。
Williamson，FourthIowa;ColonelG。B。Raum，Fifty—sixthIllinois;
ColonelJ。I。Alexander，Fifty—ninthIndiana。
Mypersonalstaff，asusual，haveservedtheircountrywithfidelity，andcredittothemselves，throughouttheseevents，andhavereceivedmypersonalthanks。
Inclosedyouwillpleasefindamapofthatpartofthebattle—fieldofChattanoogafoughtoverbythetroopsundermycommand，surveyedanddrawnbyCaptainJenney，engineeronmystaff。Ihavethe。honortobe，yourobedientservant，W。T。SHERMAN，Major—Generalcommanding。
[GeneralOrderNo。68。]
WARDEPARTMENTADJUTANT—GENERAL’SOFFICE
WASHINGTON，February21，1884
JointresolutiontenderingthethanksofCongresstoMajor—GeneralW。T。Shermanandothers。
BeitresolvedbytheSenateandHouseofRepresentativesoftheUnitedStatesofAmericainCongressassembled，ThatthethanksofCongressandofthepeopleoftheUnitedStatesaredue，andthatthesameareherebytendered，toMajor—GeneralW。T。Sherman，commanderoftheDepartmentandArmyoftheTennessee，andtheofficersandsoldierswhoservedunderhim，fortheirgallantandarduousservicesinmarchingtothereliefoftheArmyoftheCumberland，andfortheirgallantryandheroisminthebattleofChattanooga，whichcontributedinagreatdegreetothesuccessofourarmsinthatgloriousvictory。
ApprovedFebruary19，1864。
ByorderoftheSecretaryofWar:
E。D。TOWNSEND，AssistantAdjutant—General。
Onthe19thofDecemberIwasatBridgeport，andgavealltheordersnecessaryforthedistributionofthefourdivisionsoftheFifteenthCorpsalongtherailroadfromStevensontoDecatur，andthepartoftheSixteenthCorps;commandedbyGeneralDodge，alongtherailroadfromDecaturtoNashville，tomaketheneededrepairs，andtobeinreadinessforthecampaignofthesucceedingyear;andonthe21stIwentuptoNashville，toconferwithGeneralGrantandconcludethearrangementsforthewinter。AtthattimeGeneralGrantwasundertheimpressionthatthenextcampaignwouldbeupthevalleyofEastTennessee，inthedirectionofVirginia;andasitwaslikelytobethelastandmostimportantcampaignofthewar，itbecamenecessarytosetfreeasmanyoftheoldtroopsservingalongtheMississippiRiveraspossible。ThiswastherealobjectandpurposeoftheMeridiancampaign，andofBanks’sexpeditionupRedRivertoShreveportduringthatwinter。
CHAPTERXV。
MERIDIANCAMPAIGN。
JANUARYANDFEBRUARY，1864。
Thewinterof1863—’64openedverycoldandsevere;anditwasmanifestafterthebattleofChattanooga，November25，1863，andtheraisingofthesiegeofKnoxville，December5th，thatmilitaryoperationsinthatquartermustinameasurecease，orbelimitedtoBurnside’sforcebeyondKnoxville。Onthe21stofDecemberGeneralGranthadremovedhisheadquarterstoNashville，Tennessee，leavingGeneralGeorgeH。ThomasatChattanooga，incommandoftheDepartmentoftheCumberland，andofthearmyroundaboutthatplace;andIwasatBridgeport，withorderstodistributemytroopsalongtherailroadfromStevensontoDecatur，Alabama，andfromDecaturuptowardNashville。
GeneralG。M。Dodge，whowasincommandofthedetachmentoftheSixteenthCorps，numberingabouteightthousandmen，hadnotparticipatedwithusinthebattleofChattanooga，buthadremainedatandnearPulaski，Tennessee，engagedinrepairingthatrailroad，asauxiliarytothemainlinewhichledfromNashvilletoStevenson，andChattanooga。GeneralJohnA。LoganhadsucceededtothecommandoftheFifteenthCorps，byregularappointmentofthePresidentoftheUnitedStates，andhadrelievedGeneralFrankP。
Blair，whohadbeentemporarilyincommandofthatcorpsduringtheChattanoogaandKnoxvillemovement。
AtthattimeIwasincommandoftheDepartmentoftheTennessee，whichembracedsubstantiallytheterritoryontheeastbankoftheMississippiRiver，fromNatchezuptotheOhioRiver，andthencealongtheTennesseeRiverashighasDecaturandBellefonte，Alabama。GeneralMcPhersonwasatVicksburgandGeneralHurlbutatMemphis，andfromthemIhadtheregularreportsofaffairsinthatquarterofmycommand。TherebelsstillmaintainedaconsiderableforceofinfantryandcavalryintheStateofMississippi，threateningtheriver，whosenavigationhadbecometoussodelicateandimportantamatter。SatisfiedthatIcouldcheckthisbyoneortwoquickmovesinland，andtherebysetfreeaconsiderablebodyofmenheldaslocalgarrisons，IwentuptoNashvilleandrepresentedthecasetoGeneralGrant，whoconsentedthatImightgodowntheMississippiRiver，wherethebulkofmycommandlay，andstrikeablowontheeastoftheriver，whileGeneralBanksfromNewOrleansshouldinlikemannerstrikeanothertothewest;thuspreventinganyfurthermolestationoftheboatsnavigatingthemainriver，andtherebywideningthegapintheSouthernConfederacy。
Afterhavinggivenallthenecessaryordersforthedistribution，duringthewintermonths，ofthatpartofmycommandwhichwasinSouthernandMiddleTennessee，IwenttoCincinnatiandLancaster，Ohio，tospendChristmaswithmyfamily;andonmyreturnItookMinniewithmedowntoaconventatReading，nearCincinnati，whereIlefther，andtookthecarsforCairo，Illinois，whichIreachedJanuary3d，averycoldandbitterday。Theicewasformingfast，andtherewasgreatdangerthattheMississippiRiver，wouldbecomeclosedtonavigation。AdmiralPorter，whowasatCairo，gavemeasmallgunboat（theJuliet），withwhichIwentuptoPaducah，toinspectthatplace，garrisonedbyasmallforce;commandedbyColonelS。G。Hicks，FortiethIllinois，whohadbeenwithmeandwasseverelywoundedatShiloh。Returning。toCairo，westarteddowntheMississippiRiver，whichwasfulloffloatingice。Withtheutmostdifficultywemadeourwaythroughit，forhoursfloatinginthemidstofimmensecakes，thatchafedandgroundourboatsothatattimeswewereindangerofsinking。Butaboutthel0thofJanuarywereachedMemphis，whereIfoundGeneralHurlbut，andexplainedtohimmypurposetocollectfromhisgarrisonsandthoseofMcPhersonabouttwentythousandmen，withwhichinFebruarytomarchoutfromVicksburgasfarasMeridian，breakuptheMobile&OhioRailroad，andalsotheoneleadingfromVicksburgtoSelma，Alabama。Iinstructedhimtoselecttwogooddivisions，andtobereadywiththemtogoalong。AtMemphisIfoundBrigadier—GeneralW。SooySmith，withaforceofabouttwentyfivehundredcavalry，whichhehadbyGeneralGrant’sordersbroughtacrossfromMiddleTennessee，toassistinourgeneralpurpose，aswellastopunishtherebelGeneralForrest，whohadbeenmostactiveinharassingourgarrisonsinWestTennesseeandMississippi。AfterstayingacoupleofdaysatMemphis，wecontinuedoninthegunboatSilverCloudtoVicksburg，whereI
foundGeneralMcPherson，and，givinghimsimilarorders，instructedhimtosendoutspiestoascertainandbringbacktimelyinformationofthestrengthandlocationoftheenemy。ThewintercontinuedsoseverethattheriveratVicksburgwasfulloffloatingice，butintheSilverCloudwebreasteditmanfully，andgotbacktoMemphisbythe20th。AchiefpartoftheenterprisewastodestroytherebelcavalrycommandedbyGeneralForrest，whowereaconstantthreattoourrailwaycommunicationsinMiddleTennessee，andIcommittedthistasktoBrigadier—GeneralW。SooySmith。GeneralHurlbuthadinhiscommandaboutseventhousandfivehundredcavalry，scatteredfromColumbus，Kentucky，toCorinth，Mississippi，andweproposedtomakeupanaggregatecavalryforceofaboutseventhousand\"effective，\"outoftheseandthetwenty—fivehundredwhichGeneralSmithhadbroughtwithhimfromMiddleTennessee。WiththisforceGeneralSmithwasorderedtomovefromMemphisstraightforMeridian，Mississippi，andtostartbyFebruary1st。IexplainedtohimpersonallythenatureofForrestasaman，andofhispeculiarforce;toldhimthatinhisroutehewassuretoencounterForrest，whoalwaysattackedwithavehemenceforwhichhemustbeprepared，andthat，afterhehadrepelledthefirstattack，hemustinturnassumethemostdeterminedoffensive，overwhelmhimandutterlydestroyhiswholeforce。IknewthatForrestcouldnothavemorethanfourthousandcavalry，andmyownmovementworldgiveemploymenttoeveryothermanoftherebelarmynotimmediatelypresentwithhim，sothathe（GeneralSmith）mightsafelyactonthehypothesisIhavestated。
HavingcompletedallthesepreparationsinMemphis，beingsatisfiedthatthecavalryforcewouldbereadytostartbythe1stofFebruary，andhavingseenGeneralHurlbutwithhistwodivisionsembarkinsteamersforVicksburg，Ialsoreembarkedforthesamedestinationonthe27thofJanuary。
Onthe1stofFebruarywerendezvousedinVicksburg，whereIfoundaspywhohadbeensentouttwoweeksbefore，hadbeentoMeridian，andbroughtbackcorrectinformationofthestateoffactsintheinteriorofMississippi。Lieutenant—General（Bishop）Polkwasinchiefcommand，withheadquartersatMeridian，andhadtwodivisionsofinfantry，oneofwhich（GeneralLoring’s）waspostedatCanton，Mississippi，theother（GeneralFrench’s）atBrandon。Hehadalsotwodivisionsofcavalry——Armstrong’s，composedofthethreebrigadesofRoss，Stark，andWirtAdams，whichwerescatteredfromtheneighborhoodofYazooCitytoJacksonandbelow;andForrest’s，whichwasunited，towardMemphis，withheadquartersatComo。
GeneralPolkseemedtohavenosuspicionofourintentionstodisturbhisserenity。
Accordingly，onthemorningofFebruary3d，westartedintwocolumns，eachoftwodivisions，precededbyalightforceofcavalry，commandedbyColonelE。F。Winslow。GeneralMcPheraoncommandedtherightcolumn，andGeneralHurlbuttheleft。TheformercrossedtheBigBlackattherailroad—bridge，andthelattersevenmilesabove，atMessinger’s。Wewerelightlyequippedastowagons，andmarchedwithoutdeploymentstraightforMeridian，distantonehundredandfiftymiles。WestrucktherebelcavalrybeyondtheBigBlack，andpushedthempell—mellintoandbeyondJacksonduringthe6th。ThenextdaywereachedBrandon，andonthe9thMorton，whereweperceivedsignsofaninfantryconcentration，buttheenemydidnotgiveusbattle，andretreatedbeforeus。Therebelcavalrywereallaroundus，sowekeptourcolumnscompactandofferedfewornochancesfortheirdashes。AsfarasMortonwehadoccupiedtworoads，buttherewewereforcedintoone。Towardeveningofthe12th，Hurlbut’scolumnpassedthroughDecatur，withorderstogointocampfourmilesbeyondatacreek。McPherson’sheadofcolumnwassomefourmilesbehind，andIpersonallydetachedoneofHurlbut’sregimentstoguardthecross—roadsatDecaturtilltheheadofMcPherson’scolumnshouldcomeinsight。IntendingtospendthenightinDecatur，Iwenttoadoublelog—house，andarrangedwiththeladyforsomesupper。Weunsaddledourhorses，tiedthemtothefenceinsidetheyard，and，beingtired，Ilaydownonabedandfellasleep。PresentlyI
heardshoutsandhallooing，andthenheardpistol—shotsclosetothehouse。Myaide，MajorAudenried，calledmeandsaidwewereattackedbyrebelcavalry，whowereallaroundus。IjumpedupandinquiredwherewastheregimentofinfantryIhadmyselfpostedatthecross—roads。Hesaidafewmomentsbeforeithadmarchedpastthehouse，followingtheroadbywhichGeneralHurlbuthadgone，andItoldhimtorun，overtakeit，andbringitback。Meantime，I
wentoutintotheback—yard，sawwagonspassingatarundowntheroad，andhorsemendashingaboutinacloudofdust，firingtheirpistols，theirshotsreachingthehouseinwhichwewere。
Gatheringthefeworderliesandclerksthatwereabout，Iwaspreparingtogetintoacorn—cribatthebacksideofthelot，whereintodefendourselves，whenIsawAudenriedcomingbackwiththeregiment，onarun，deployingforwardastheycame。Thisregimentsoonclearedtheplaceanddrovetherebelcavalrybacktowardthesouth，whencetheyhadcome。
Ittranspiredthatthecolonelofthisinfantryregiment，whosenameIdonotrecall，hadseensomeofficersofMcPherson’sstaff（amongthemInspector—GeneralStrong）cominguptheroadatagallop，raisingacloudofduet;supposingthemtobetheheadofMcPherson’scolumn，andbeinganxioustogetintocampbeforedark，hehadcalledinhispicketsandstarteddowntheroad，leavingmeperfectlyexposed。Somestragglingwagons，escortedbyaNewJerseyregiment，werepassingatthetime，andcomposedtherearofHurlbut’strain。Therebelcavalry，seeingtheroadclearoftroops，andthesewagonspassing，strucktheminflank，shotdownthemulesofthreeorfourwagons，brokethecolumn，andbeganageneralskirmish。Theescortdefendedtheirwagonsaswellastheycould，andthusdivertedtheirattention;otherwiseIwouldsurelyhavebeencaptured。InashorttimetheheadofMcPherson’scolumncameup，wentintocamp，andwespentthenightinDecatur。
Thenextdaywepushedon，andonthe14thenteredMeridian，theenemyretreatingbeforeustowardDemopolis，Alabama。Weatoncesettoworktodestroyanarsenal，immensestorehouses，andtherailroadineverydirection。WestaidinMeridianfivedays，expectingeveryhourtohearofGeneralSooySmith，butcouldgetnotidingsofhimwhatever。AlargeforceofinfantrywaskeptatworkallthetimeinbreakinguptheMobile&OhioRailroadsouthandnorth;alsotheJackson&SelmaRailroad，eastandwest。Iwasdeterminedtodamagetheseroadssothattheycouldnotbeusedagainforhostilepurposesduringtherestofthewar。IneverhadtheremotestideaofgoingtoMobile，buthadpurposelygivenoutthatideatothepeopleofthecountry，soastodeceivetheenemyandtodiverttheirattention。Manypersonsstillinsistthat，becausewedidnotgotoMobileonthisoccasion，Ihadfailed;butinthefollowinglettertoGeneralBanks，ofJanuary31st，writtenfromVicksburgbeforestartingforMeridian，itwillbeseenclearlythatIindicatedmyintentiontokeepupthedelusionofanattackonMobilebyland，whereasIpromisedhimtobebacktoVicksburgbythe1stofMarch，soastocooperatewithhiminhiscontemplatedattackonShreveport:
HEADQUARTERSDEPARTMENTOFTHETENNESSEE
VICKSBURG，January31，1864
Major—GeneralN。P。BANKS，commandingDepartmentoftheGulf，NewOrleans。
GENERAL:Ireceivedyesterday，atthehandsofCaptainDurham，aide—de—camp，yourletterofthe25thinst。，andhastentoreply。
CaptainDurhamhasgonetothemouthofWhiteRiver，enrouteforLittleRock，andtheotherofficerswhoaccompaniedhimhavegoneuptoCairo，asIunderstand，tochartertwenty—fivesteamboatsfortheRedRivertrip。TheMississippiRiver，thoughlowfortheseason，isfreeoficeandingoodboatingorder;butIunderstandthatRedRiverisstilllow。IhadamaninfromAlexandriayesterday，whoreportedthefallsorrapidsatthatplaceimpassablesavebythesmallestboats。Myinlandexpeditionisnowmoving，andIwillbeoffforJacksonandMeridianto—morrow。TheonlyfearIhaveisintheweather。Alltheothercombinationsaregood。IwanttokeepupthedelusionofanattackonMobileandtheAlabamaRiver，andthereforewouldbeobligedifyouwouldkeepupanirritatingforagingorotherexpeditioninthatdirection。
MyordersfromGeneralGrantwillnot，asyet，justifymeinembarkingforRedRiver，thoughIamveryanxioustomoveinthatdirection。ThemomentIlearnedthatyouwerepreparingforit，I
sentacommunicationtoAdmiralPorter，anddispatchedtoGeneralGrantatChattanooga，askingifhewantedmeandSteeletocooperatewithyouagainstShreveport;andIwillhavehisanswerintime，foryoucannotdoanythingtillRedRiverhastwelvefeetofwaterontherapidsatAlexandria。ThatwillbefromMarchtoJune。IhavelivedonRedRiver，andknowsomewhatofthephasesofthatstream。TheexpeditiononShreveportshouldbemaderapidly，withsimultaneousmovementsfromLittleRockonShreveport，fromOpelousasonAlexandria，andacombinedforceofgunboatsandtransportsdirectlyupRedRiver。AdmiralPorterwillbeabletohaveasplendidfleetbyMarchlst。IthinkSteelecouldmovewithtenthousandinfantryandfivethousandcavalry。I
couldtakeabouttenthousand，andyoucould，Isuppose，havethesame。YourmovementfromOpelousas，simultaneouswithmineuptheriver，wouldcompelDickTaylortoleaveFortDeRussy（nearMarksville），andthewholecombinedforcecouldappearatShreveportaboutadayappointedbeforehand。
IdoubtiftheenemywillriskasiegeatShreveport，althoughIaminformedtheyarefortifyingtheplace，andplacingmanyheavygunsinposition。Itwouldbebetterforusthattheyshouldstandthere，aswemightmakelargeandimportantcaptures。ButIdonotbelievetheenemywillfightaforceofthirtythousandmen，actinginconcertwithgunboats。
Iwillbemosthappytotakepartintheproposedexpedition，andhope，beforeyouhavemadeyourfinaldispositions，thatIwillhavethenecessarypermission。HalftheArmyoftheTennesseeisneartheTennesseeRiver，beyondHuntsville，Alabama，awaitingthecompletionoftherailroad，and，bypresentorders，Iwillbecompelledtohastentheretocommanditinperson，unlessmeantimeGeneralGrantmodifiestheplan。Ihavenowinthisdepartmentonlytheforcelefttoholdtheriverandtheposts，andIamseriouslyembarrassedbythepromisesmadetheveteranvolunteersforfurlough。Ithink，byMarchlst，IcanputafloatforShreveporttenthousandmen，providedIsucceedinmypresentmovementincleaningouttheStateofMississippi，andinbreakinguptherailroadsaboutMeridian。
Iam，withgreatrespect，yourobedientservant，W。T。SHERMAN，Major—General，commanding。
TheobjectoftheMeridianexpeditionwastostriketheroadsinland，sotoparalyzetherebelforcesthatwecouldtakefromthedefenseoftheMississippiRivertheequivalentofacorpsoftwentythousandmen，tobeusedinthenextGeorgiacampaign;andthiswasactuallydone。Atthesametime，IwantedtodestroyGeneralForrest，who，withanirregularforceofcavalry，wasconstantlythreateningMemphisandtheriverabove，aswellasourroutesofsupplyinMiddleTennessee。Inthiswefailedutterly，becauseGeneralW。SooySmithdidnotfulfillhisorders，whichwereclearandspecific，ascontainedinmyletterofinstructionstohimofJanuary27th，atMemphis，andmypersonalexplanationstohimatthesametime。Insteadofstartingatthedateordered，February1st，hedidnotleaveMemphistillthe11th，waitingforWaringsbrigadethatwasice—boundnearColumbus，Kentucky;andthen，whenhedidstart，heallowedGeneralForresttoheadhimoffandtodefeathimwithaninferiorforce，nearWestPoint，belowOkalona，ontheMobile&OhioRailroad。
WewaitedatMeridiantillthe20thtohearfromGeneralSmith，buthearingnothingwhatever，andhavingutterlydestroyedtherailroadsinandaroundthatjunction，IorderedGeneralMcPhersontomovebackslowlytowardCanton。WithWinslow’scavalry，andHurlbut’sinfantry，IturnednorthtoMarion，andthencetoaplacecalled\"Union，\"whenceIdispatchedthecavalryfarthernorthtoPhiladelphiaandLouisville，tofeelasitwereforGeneralSmith，andthenturnedalltheinfantrycolumnatowardCanton，Mississippi。Onthe26thweallreachedCanton，butwehadnotheardawordofGeneralSmith，norwasituntilsometimeafter（atVicksburg）thatIlearnedthewholetruthofGeneralSmith’smovementandofhisfailure。OfcourseIdidnotandcouldnotapproveofhisconduct，andIknowthatheyetchafesunderthecensure。IhadsetsomuchstoreonhispartoftheprojectthatI
wasdisappointed，andsoreportedofficiallytoGeneralGrant。
GeneralSmithneverregainedmyconfidenceasasoldier，thoughI
stillregardhimasamostaccomplishedgentlemanandaskillfulengineer。Sincethecloseofthewarhehasappealedtometorelievehimofthatcensure，butIcouldnotdoit，becauseitwouldfalsifyhistory。
HavingassembledallmytroopsinandaboutCanton，onthe27thofFebruaryIleftthemunderthecommandoftheseniormajor—general，Hurlbut，withorderstoremaintillaboutthe3dofMarch，andthentocomeintoVicksburgleisurely;and，escortedbyWinslow’scavalry，IrodeintoVicksburgonthelastdayofFebruary。ThereIfoundlettersfromGeneralGrant，atNashville，andGeneralBanks，atNewOrleans，concerninghis（GeneralBanks’s）projectedmovementupRedRiver。IwasauthorizedbytheformertocontributeaidtoGeneralBanksforalimitedtime;butGeneralGrantinsistedonmyreturninginpersontomyowncommandaboutHuntsville，Alabama，assoonaspossible，toprepareforthespringcampaign。
AboutthistimeweweremuchembarrassedbyageneralorderoftheWarDepartment，promisingathirty—daysfurloughtoallsoldierswhowould\"veteranize\"——viz。，reenlistfortherestofthewar。
Thiswasajudiciousandwisemeasure，becauseitdoubtlesssecuredtheservicesofaverylargeportionofthemenwhohadalmostcompletedathree—yearsenlistment，andwerethereforeveteransoldiersinfeelingandinhabit。Buttofurloughsomanyofourmenatthatinstantoftimewaslikedisbandinganarmyintheverymidstofbattle。
InordertocometoaperfectunderstandingwithGeneralBanks，I
tookthesteamerDianaandrandowntoNewOrleanstoseehim。
AmongthemanyletterswhichIfoundinVicksburgonmyreturnfromMeridianwasonefromCaptainD。F。Boyd，ofLouisiana，writtenfromthejailinNatchez，tellingmethathewasaprisonerofwarinourhands;hadbeencapturedinLouisianabysomeofourscouts;
andhebespokemyfriendlyassistance。BoydwasProfessorofAncientLanguagesattheLouisianaSeminaryofLearningduringmyadministration，in1859—’60;wasanaccomplishedscholar，ofmoderateviewsinpolitics，but，beingaVirginian，wasdrawn，likeallothersofhiskind，intothevortexoftherebellionbytheeventsof1861，whichbrokeupcollegesandeverythingattheSouth。Natchez，atthistime，wasinmycommand，andwasheldbyastrongdivision，commandedbyBrigadier—GeneralJ。W。Davidson。IntheDianawestoppedatNatchez，andImadeahastyinspectionoftheplace。IsentforBoyd，whowasingoodhealth，butquitedirty，andbeggedmetotakehimoutofprison，andtoeffecthisexchange。Ireceiptedforhim;tookhimalongwithmetoNewOrleans;offeredhimmoney，whichhedeclined;allowedhimtogofreeinthecity;andobtainedfromGeneralBanksapromisetoeffecthisexchange，whichwasafterwarddone。BoydisnowmylegitimatesuccessorinLouisiana，viz。，PresidentoftheLouisianaUniversity，whichisthepresenttitleofwhathadbeentheSeminaryofLearning。Afterthewarwasover，BoydwentbacktoAlexandria，reorganizedtheoldinstitution，whichIvisitedin1866butthebuildingwasburntdownbyanaccidentorbyanincendiaryabout1868，andtheinstitutionwasthenremovedtoBatonRouge，whereitnowis，underitsnewtitleoftheUniversityofLouisiana。
WereachedNewOrleansonthe2dofMarch。IfoundGeneralBanks，withhiswifeanddaughter，livinginagoodhouse，andheexplainedtomefullythepositionandstrengthofhistroops，andhisplansofactionfortheapproachingcampaign。Idinedwithhim，and，roughasIwas——justoutofthewoods——attended，thatnight，averypleasantpartyatthehouseofalady，whosenameI
cannotrecall，butwhoisnowthewifeofCaptainArnold，FifthUnitedStatesArtillery。AtthispartywerealsoMr。andMrs。