Luckily，Ilearnedjustthenthattheenemy’scavalry，underGeneralWheeler，hadmadeawidecircuitaroundourleftflank，andhadactuallyreachedourrailroadatTiltonStation，aboveResaca，capturedadroveofonethousandofourbeef—cattle，andwasstrongenoughtoappearbeforeDalton，anddemandofitscommander，ColonelRaum，thesurrenderoftheplace。GeneralJohnE。Smith，whowasatKingston，collectedtogetheracoupleofthousandmen，andproceededincarstothereliefofDalton，whenWheelerretreatednorthwardtowardCleveland。Onthe16thanotherdetachmentoftheenemy’scavalryappearedinforceaboutAllatoonaandtheEtowahbridge，whenIbecamefullyconvincedthatHoodhadsentallofhiscavalrytoraiduponourrailroads。ForsomedaysourcommunicationwithNashvillewasinterruptedbythedestructionofthetelegraph—lines，aswellasrailroad。IatonceorderedstrongreconnoissancesforwardfromourflanksontheleftbyGarrard，andontherightbyKilpatrick。TheformermovedwithsomuchcautionthatIwasdispleased;butKilpatrick，onthecontrary，displayedsomuchzealandactivitythatIwasattractedtohimatonce。HereachedFairburnStation，ontheWestPointroad，andtoreitup，returningsafelytohispositiononourrightflank。Isummonedhimtome，andwassopleasedwithhisspiritandconfidence，thatIconcludedtosuspendthegeneralmovementofthemainarmy，andtosendhimwithhissmalldivisionofcavalrytobreakuptheMaconroadaboutJonesboro，inthehopesthatitwouldforceHoodtoevacuateAtlanta，andthatIshouldtherebynotonlysecurepossessionofthecityitself，butprobablycouldcatchHoodintheconfusionofretreat;and，furthertoincreasethechancesofsuccess。
IorderedGeneralThomastodetachtwobrigadesofGarrard’sdivisionofcavalryfromthelefttotherightrear，toactasareserveinsupportofGeneralKilpatrick。Meantime，also，theutmostactivitywasorderedalongourwholefrontbytheinfantryandartillery。Kilpatrickgotoffduringthenightofthe18th，andreturnedtousonthe22d，havingmadethecompletecircuitofAtlanta。HereportedthathehaddestroyedthreemilesoftherailroadaboutJonesboro，whichhereckonedwouldtaketendaystorepair;thathehadencounteredadivisionofinfantryandabrigadeofcavalry（Ross’s）;thathehadcapturedabatteryanddestroyedthreeofitsguns，bringingoneinasatrophy，andhealsobroughtinthreebattle—flagsandseventyprisoners。Onthe23d，however，wesawtrainscomingintoAtlantafromthesouth，whenIbecamemorethaneverconvincedthatcavalrycouldnotorwouldnotworkhardenoughtodisablearailroadproperly，andthereforeresolvedatoncetoproceedtotheexecutionofmyoriginalplan。Meantime，thedamagedonetoourownrailroadandtelegraphbyWheeler，aboutResacaandDalton，hadbeenrepaired，andWheelerhimselfwastoofarawaytobeofanyservicetohisownarmy，andwherehecouldnotdousmuchharm，viz。，upabouttheHiawaesee。Onthe24thIrodedowntotheChattahoocheebridge，toseeinpersonthatitcouldbeproperlydefendedbythesinglecorpsproposedtobeleftthereforthatpurpose，andfoundthattherebelworks，whichhadbeenbuiltbyJohnstontoresistus，couldbeeasilyutilizedagainstthemselves;andonreturningtomycamp，atthatsameevening，ItelegraphedtoGeneralHalleckasfollows:
HeavyfiresinAtlantaallday，causedbyourartillery。Iwillbeallready，andwillcommencethemovementaroundAtlantabythesouth，tomorrownight，andforsometimeyouwillhearlittleofus。IwillkeepopenacourierlinebacktotheChattahoocheebridge，bywayofSandtown。TheTwentiethCorpswillholdtherailroad—bridge，andIwillmovewiththebalanceofthearmy，provisionedfortwentydays。
MeantimeGeneralDodge（commandingtheSixteenthCorps）hadbeenwoundedintheforehead，hadgonetotherear，andhistwodivisionsweredistributedtotheFifteenthandSeventeenthCorps。
Therealmovementcommencedonthe25th，atnight。TheTwentiethCorpsdrewbackandtookpostattherailroad—bridge，andtheFourthCorps（Stanley）movedtohisrightrear，closingupwiththeFourteenthCorps（Jeff。C。Davis）nearUtoyCreek;atthesametimeGarrard’scavalry，leavingtheirhorsesoutofsight，occupiedthevacanttrenches，sothattheenemydidnotdetectthechangeatall。Thenextnight（26th）theFifteenthandSeventeenthCorps，composingtheArmyoftheTennessee（Howard），drewoutoftheirtrenches，madeawidecircuit，andcameupontheextremerightoftheFourthandFourteenthCorpsoftheArmyoftheCumberland（Thomas）alongUtoyCreek，facingsouth。Theenemyseemedtosuspectsomethingthatnight，usinghisartilleryprettyfreely;
butIthinkhesupposedweweregoingtoretreataltogether。Anartillery—shot，firedatrandom，killedonemanandwoundedanother，andthenextmorningsomeofhisinfantrycameoutofAtlantaandfoundourcampsabandoned。ItwasafterwardrelatedthattherewasgreatrejoicinginAtlanta\"thattheYankeesweregone;\"thefactwastelegraphedallovertheSouth，andseveraltrainsofcars（withladies）cameupfromMacontoassistinthecelebrationoftheirgrandvictory。
Onthe28th（makingageneralleft—wheel，pivotingonSchofield）
bothThomasandHowardreachedthePestPointRailroad，extendingfromEastPointtoRed—OakStationandFairburn，wherewespentthenextday（29th）inbreakingitupthoroughly。Thetrackwasheavedupinsectionsthelengthofaregiment，thenseparatedrailbyrail;bonfiresweremadeofthetiesandoffence—railsonwhichtherailswereheated，carriedtotreesortelegraph—poles，wrappedaroundandlefttocool。Suchrailscouldnotbeusedagain;and，tobestillmorecertain，wefilledupmanydeepcutswithtrees，brush，andearth，andcommingledwiththemloadedshells，soarrangedthattheywouldexplodeonanattempttohauloutthebushes。Theexplosionofonesuchshellworldhavedemoralizedagangofnegroes，andthuswouldhavepreventedeventheattempttocleartheroad。
MeantimeSchofield，withtheTwenty—thirdCorps，presentedaboldfronttowardEastPoint，daringandinvitingtheenemytosallyouttoattackhiminposition。Hisfirstmovementwasonthe30th，toMountGileadChurch，thentoMorrow’sMills，facingRoughandReady。Thomaswasonhisright，withineasysupport，movingbycross—roadsfromRedOaktotheFayettevilleroad，extendingfromCouch’stoRenfrew’s;andHowardwasaimingforJonesboro。
IwaswithGeneralThomasthatday，whichwashotbutotherwiseverypleasant。Westoppedforashortnoon—restnearalittlechurch（markedonourmapsasShoal—CreekChurch），whichstoodbackaboutahundredyardsfromtheroad，inagroveofnativeoaks。
Theinfantrycolumnhadhaltedintheroad，stackedtheirarms，andthemenwerescatteredabout——somelyingintheshadeofthetrees，andotherswerebringingcorn—stalksfromalargecorn—fieldacrosstheroadtofeedourhorses，whilestillothershadarmsfulloftheroasting—ears，thenintheirprime。Hundredsoffiresweresoonstartedwiththefence—rails，andthemenwerebusyroastingtheears。ThomasandIwerewalkingupanddowntheroadwhichledtothechurch，discussingthechancesofthemovement，whichhethoughtwereextra—hazardous，andourpathcarriedusbyafireatwhichasoldierwasroastinghiscorn。Thefirewasbuiltartistically;themanwasstrippingtheearsoftheirhusks，standingtheminfrontofhisfire，watchingthemcarefully，andturningeachearlittlebylittle，soastoroastitnicely。Hewasdownonhiskneesintentonhisbusiness，payinglittleheedtothestatelyandseriousdeliberationsofhisleaders。Thomas’smindwasrunningonthefactthatwehadcutloosefromourbaseofsupplies，andthatseventythousandmenwerethendependentfortheirfoodonthechancesuppliesofthecountry（alreadyimpoverishedbytherequisitionsoftheenemy），andonthecontentsofourwagons。BetweenThomasandhismenthereexistedamostkindlyrelation，andhefrequentlytalkedwiththeminthemostfamiliarway。Pausingawhile，andwatchingtheoperationsofthismanroastinghiscorn，hesaid，\"Whatareyoudoing？\"Themanlookedupsmilingly\"Why，general，Iamlayinginasupplyofprovisions。\"\"Thatisright，myman，butdon’twasteyourprovisions。\"Asweresumedourwalk，themanremarked，inasortofmusingway，butloudenoughformetohear:\"Therehegoes，theregoestheoldman，economizingasusual。\"\"Economizing\"withcorn，whichcostonlythelaborofgatheringandroasting！
Aswewalked，wecouldhearGeneralHoward’sgunsatintervals，awayofftoourrightfront，butanominoussilencecontinuedtowardourleft，whereIwasexpectingateachmomenttohearthesoundofbattle。ThatnightwereachedRenfrew’s，andhadreportsfromlefttoright（fromGeneralSchofield，aboutMorrow’sMills，toGeneralHoward，withinacoupleofmilesofJonesboro）。Thenextmorning（August31st）allmovedstraightfortherailroad。
SchofieldreacheditnearRoughandReady，andThomasattwopointsbetweenthereandJonesboro。Howardfoundanintrenchedfoe（Hardee’scorps）coveringJonesboro，andhismenbeganatoncetodigtheiraccustomedrifle—pits。OrdersweresenttoGeneralsThomasandSchofieldtoturnstraightforJonesboro，tearinguptherailroad—trackastheyadvanced。About3。00p。m。theenemysalliedfromJonesboroagainsttheFifteenthcorps，butwaseasilyrepulsed，anddrivenbackwithinhislines。Allhandswerekeptbusytearinguptherailroad，anditwasnotuntiltowardeveningofthe1stdayofSeptemberthattheFourteenthCorps（Davis）
closeddownonthenorthfrontofJonesboro，connectingonhisrightwithHoward，andhisleftreachingtherailroad，alongwhichGeneralStanleywasmoving，followedbySchofield。GeneralDavisformedhisdivisionsinlineabout4p。m。，sweptforwardoversomeoldcotton—fieldsinfullview，andwentovertherebelparapethandsomely，capturingthewholeofGovan’sbrigade，withtwofield—batteriesoftenguns。Beingonthespot，IcheckedDavis’smovement，andorderedGeneralHowardtosendthetwodivisionsoftheSeventeenthCorps（Blair）roundbyhisrightrear，togetbelowJonesboro，andtoreachtherailroad，soastocutoffretreatinthatdirection。IalsodispatchedordersafterorderstohurryforwardStanley，soastolaparoundJonesboroontheeast，hopingthustocapturethewholeofHardee’scorps。IsentfirstCaptainAudenried（aide—de—camp），thenColonelPoe，oftheEngineers，andlastlyGeneralThomashimself（andthatistheonlytimeduringthecampaignIcanrecallseeingGeneralThomasurgehishorseintoagallop）。Nightwasapproaching，andthecountryonthefarthersideoftherailroadwasdenselywooded。GeneralStanleyhadcomeupontheleftofDavis，andwasdeploying，thoughtherecouldnothavebeenonhisfrontmorethanaskirmish—line。Hadhemovedstraightonbytheflank，orbyaslightcircuittohisleft，hewouldhaveinclosedthewholegroundoccupiedbyHardee’scorps，andthatcorpscouldnothaveescapedus;butnightcameon，andHardeedidescape。
MeantimeGeneralSlocumhadreachedhiscorps（theTwentieth），stationedattheChattahoocheebridge，hadrelievedGeneralA。S。
Williamsincommand，andordershadbeensentbacktohimtofeelforwardoccasionallytowardAtlanta，toobservetheeffectwhenwehadreachedtherailroad。ThatnightIwassorestlessandimpatientthatIcouldnotsleep，andaboutmidnighttherearosetowardAtlantasoundsofshellsexploding，andothersoundlikethatofmusketry。Iwalkedtothehouseofafarmerclosebymybivouac，calledhimouttolistentothereverberationswhichcamefromthedirectionofAtlanta（twentymilestothenorthofus），andinquiredofhimifhehadresidedtherelong。Hesaidhehad，andthatthesesoundswerejustlikethoseofabattle。Anintervalofquietthenensued，whenagain，about4a。m。，aroseothersimilarexplosions，butIstillremainedindoubtwhethertheenemywasengagedinblowinguphisownmagazines，orwhetherGeneralSlocumhadnotfeltforward，andbecomeengagedinarealbattle。
ThenextmorningGeneralHardeewasgone，andweallpushedforwardalongtherailroadsouth，inclosepursuit，tillweranupagainsthislinesatapointjustaboveLovejoy’sStation。Whilebringingforwardtroopsandfeelingthenewpositionofouradversary，rumorscamefromtherearthattheenemyhadevacuatedAtlanta，andthatGeneralSlocumwasinthecity。LaterinthedayIreceivedanoteinSlocum’sownhandwriting，statingthathehadheardduringthenighttheverysoundsthatIhavereferredto;thathehadmovedrapidlyupfromthebridgeaboutdaylight，andhadenteredAtlantaunopposed。Hisletterwasdatedinsidethecity，sotherewasnodoubtofthefact。GeneralThomas’sbivouacwasbutashortdistancefrommine，and，beforegivingnoticetothearmyingeneralorders，Isentoneofmystaff—officerstoshowhimthenote。Inafewminutestheofficerreturned，soonfollowedbyThomashimself，whoagainexaminedthenote，soastobeperfectlycertainthatitwasgenuine。Thenewsseemedtohimtoogoodtobetrue。Hesnappedhisfingers，whistled，andalmostdanced，and，asthenewsspreadtothearmy，theshoutsthatarosefromourmen，thewildhallooingandgloriouslaughter，weretousafullrecompenseforthelaborandtoilsandhardshipsthroughwhichwehadpassedinthepreviousthreemonths。
Acourier—linewasatonceorganized，messagesweresentbackandforthfromourcampatLovejoy’stoAtlanta，andtoourtelegraph—
stationattheChattahoocheebridge。Ofcourse，thegladtidingsflewonthewingsofelectricitytoallpartsoftheNorth，wherethepeoplehadpatientlyawaitednewsoftheirhusbands，sons，andbrothers，awaydownin\"DixieLand;\"andcongratulationscamepouringbackfullofgood—willandpatriotism。Thisvictorywasmostopportune;Mr。Lincolnhimselftoldmeafterwardthatevenhehadpreviouslyfeltindoubt，forthesummerwasfastpassingaway;
thatGeneralGrantseemedtobecheckmatedaboutRichmondandPetersburg，andmyarmyseemedtohaverunupagainstanimpassablebarrier，when，suddenlyandunexpectedly，camethenewsthat\"Atlantawasours，andfairlywon。\"Onthistextmanyafinespeechwasmade，butnonemoreeloquentthanthatbyEdwardEverett，inBoston。ApresidentialelectionthenagitatedtheNorth。Mr。Lincolnrepresentedthenationalcause，andGeneralMcClellanhadacceptedthenominationoftheDemocraticparty，whoseplatformwasthatthewarwasafailure，andthatitwasbettertoallowtheSouthtogofreetoestablishaseparategovernment，whosecorner—stoneshouldbeslavery。Successtoourarmsatthatinstantwasthereforeapoliticalnecessity;anditwasall—importantthatsomethingstartlinginourinterestshouldoccurbeforetheelectioninNovember。ThebrilliantsuccessatAtlantafilledthatrequirement，andmadetheelectionofMr。
Lincolncertain。Amongthemanylettersofcongratulationreceived，thoseofMr。LincolnandGeneralGrantseemmostimportant:
EXECUTIVEMANSION
WASHINGTON，D。C。September3，1864。
ThenationalthanksarerenderedbythePresidenttoMajor—GeneralW。T。ShermanandthegallantofficersandsoldiersofhiscommandbeforeAtlanta，forthedistinguishedabilityandperseverancedisplayedinthecampaigninGeorgia，which，underDivinefavor，hasresultedinthecaptureofAtlanta。Themarches，battles，sieges，andothermilitaryoperations，thathavesignalizedthecampaign，mustrenderitfamousintheannalsofwar，andhaveentitledthosewhohaveparticipatedthereintotheapplauseandthanksofthenation。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN
PresidentoftheUnitedStatesCITYPOINTVIRGINIA，September4，1864—9P。M。
Major—GeneralSHERMAN:
IhavejustreceivedyourdispatchannouncingthecaptureofAtlanta。Inhonorofyourgreatvictory，Ihaveorderedasalutetobefiredwithshottedgunsfromeverybatterybearingupontheenemy。Thesalutewillbefiredwithinanhour，amidgreatrejoicing。
U。S。GRANT，Lieutenant—General。
Thesedispatcheswerecommunicatedtothearmyingeneralorders，andweallfeltdulyencouragedandelatedbythepraiseofthosecompetenttobestowit。
Thearmystillremainedwherethenewsofsuccesshadfirstfoundus，viz。，Lovejoy’s;but，afterduerefection，IresolvednottoattemptatthattimeafurtherpursuitofHood’sarmy，butslowlyanddeliberatelytomoveback，occupyAtlanta，enjoyashortperiodofrest，andtothinkwellovertheneatsteprequiredintheprogressofevents。Ordersforthismovementweremadeonthe5thSeptember，andthreedaysweregivenforeacharmytoreachtheplaceassignedit，viz。:theArmyoftheCumberlandinandaboutAtlanta;theArmyoftheTennesseeatEastPoint;andtheArmyoftheOhioatDecatur。
PersonallyIrodebacktoJonesboroonthe6th，andthereinspectedtherebelhospital，fullofwoundedofficersandmenleftbyHardeeinhisretreat。ThenextnightwestoppedatRoughandReady，andonthe8thofSeptemberwerodeintoAtlanta，thenoccupiedbytheTwentiethCorps（GeneralSlocum）。IntheCourt—HouseSquarewasencampedabrigade，embracingtheMassachusettsSecondandThirty—
thirdRegiments，whichhadtwoofthefinestbandsofthearmy，andtheirmusicwastousallasourceofinfinitepleasureduringoursojourninthatcity。ItookupmyheadquartersinthehouseofJudgeLyons，whichstoodoppositeonecorneroftheCourt—HouseSquare，andatoncesetaboutameasurealreadyordered，ofwhichI
hadthoughtmuchandlong，viz。，toremovetheentirecivilpopulation，andtodenytoallciviliansfromthereartheexpectedprofitsofciviltrade。HundredsofsutlersandtraderswerewaitingatNashvilleandChattanooga，greedytoreachAtlantawiththeirwaresandgoods，with，whichtodriveaprofitabletradewiththeinhabitants。Igavepositiveordersthatnoneofthesetraders，exceptthree（oneforeachseparatearmy），shouldbepermittedtocomenearerthanChattanooga;and，moreover，I
peremptorilyrequiredthatallthecitizensandfamiliesresidentinAtlantashouldgoaway，givingtoeachtheoptiontogosouthornorth，astheirinterestsorfeelingsdictated。IwasresolvedtomakeAtlantaapuremilitarygarrisonordepot，withnocivilpopulationtoinfluencemilitarymeasures。IhadseenMemphis，Vicksburg，Natchez，andNewOrleans，allcapturedfromtheenemy，andeachatoncewasgarrisonedbyafulldivisionoftroops，ifnotmore;sothatsuccesswasactuallycripplingourarmiesinthefieldbydetachmentstoguardandprotecttheinterestsofahostilepopulation。
Igavenoticeofthispurpose，asearlyasthe4thofSeptember，toGeneralHalleck，inaletterconcludingwiththesewords:
Ifthepeopleraiseahowlagainstmybarbarityandcruelty，Iwillanswerthatwariswar，andnotpopularity—seeking。Iftheywantpeace，theyandtheirrelativesmoststopthewar。
Iknew，ofcourse，thatsuchameasurewouldbestronglycriticised，butmadeupmymindtodoitwiththeabsolutecertaintyofitsjustness，andthattimewouldsanctionitswisdom。
IknewthatthepeopleoftheSouthwouldreadinthismeasuretwoimportantconclusions:one，thatwewereinearnest;andtheother，iftheyweresincereintheircommonandpopularclamor\"todieinthelastditch，\"thattheopportunitywouldsooncome。
SoonafterourreachingAtlanta，GeneralHoodhadsentinbyaflagoftruceaproposition，offeringageneralexchangeofprisoners，sayingthathewasauthorizedtomakesuchanexchangebytheRichmondauthorities，outofthevastnumberofourmenthenheldcaptiveatAndersonville，thesamewhomGeneralStonemanhadhopedtorescueatthetimeofhisraid。Someoftheseprisonershadalreadyescapedandgotin，haddescribedthepitiableconditionoftheremainder，and，althoughIfeltasympathyfortheirhardshipsandsufferingsasdeeplyasanymancould，yetasnearlyalltheprisonerswhohadbeencapturedbyusduringthecampaignhadbeensent，asfastastaken，totheusualdepotsNorth，theywerethenbeyondmycontrol。Therewerestillabouttwothousand，mostlycapturedatJonesboro，whohadbeensentbackbycars，buthadnotpassedChattanooga。TheseIorderedback，andofferedGeneralHoodtoexchangethemforStoneman，Buell，andsuchofmyownarmyaswouldmakeuptheequivalent;butIwouldnotexchangeforhisprisonersgenerally，becauseIknewthesewouldhavetobesenttotheirownregiments，awayfrommyarmy，whereasallwecouldgivehimcouldatoncebeputtodutyinhisimmediatearmy。Quiteanangrycorrespondencegrewupbetweenus，whichwaspublishedatthetimeinthenewspapers，butitisnottobefoundinanybookofwhichIhavepresentknowledge，andthereforeisgivenhere，asillustrativeoftheeventsreferredto，andofthefeelingsoftheactorsinthegameofwaratthatparticularcrisis，togetherwithcertainotheroriginallettersofGeneralsGrantandHalleck，neverhithertopublished。
HEADQUARTERSARMIESOFTHEUNITEDSTATES
CITYPOINT，VIRGINIA，September12，1864
Major—GeneralW。T。SHERMAN，commandingMilitaryDivisionoftheMississippiGENERAL:IsendLieutenant—ColonelHoracePorter，ofmystaff，withthis。ColonelPorterwillexplaintoyoutheexactconditionofaffairshere，betterthanIcandointhelimitsofaletter。
AlthoughIfeelmyselfstrongenoughnowforoffensiveoperations，Iamholdingonquietly，togetadvantageofrecruitsandconvalescents，whoarecomingforwardveryrapidly。Mylinesarenecessarilyverylong，extendingfromDeepBottom，northoftheJames，acrossthepeninsulaformedbytheAppomattoxandtheJames，andsouthoftheAppomattoxtotheWeldonroad。Thislineisverystronglyfortified，andcanbeheldwithcomparativelyfewmen;
but，fromitsgreatlength，necessarilytakesmanyintheaggregate。Ipropose，whenIdomove，toextendmyleftsoastocontrolwhatisknownastheSouthside，orLynchburg&Petersburgroad;then，ifpossible，tokeeptheDanvilleroadout。Atthesametimethismoveismade，IwanttosendaforceoffromsixtotenthousandmenagainstWilmington。ThewayIproposetodothisistolandthemennorthofFortFisher，andholdthatpoint。Atthesametimealargenavalfleetwillbeassembledthere，andtheiron—cladswillrunthebatteriesastheydidatMobile。ThiswillgiveusthesamecontroloftheharborofWilmingtonthatwenowhaveoftheharborofMobile。Whatyouaretodowiththeforcesatyourcommand，Idonotexactlysee。Thedifficultiesofsupplyingyourarmy，exceptwhentheyareconstantlymovingbeyondwhereyouare，Iplainlysee。IfithadnotbeenforPrice’smovement，CanbycouldhavesenttwelvethousandmorementoMobile。
>FromyourcommandontheMississippi，anequalnumbercouldhavebeentaken。Withtheseforces，myideaworldhavebeentodividethem，sendingone—halftoMobile，andtheotherhalftoSavannah。
Youcouldthenmoveasproposedinyourtelegram，soastothreatenMaconandAugustaequally。Whicheveroneshouldbeabandonedbytheenemy，youcouldtakeandopenupanewbaseofsupplies。Myobjectnowinsendingastaff—officertoyouisnotsomuchtosuggestoperationsforyouastogetyourviews，andtohaveplansmaturedbythetimeeverythingcanbegotready。Itwouldprobablybethe5thofOctoberbeforeanyoftheplanshereindicatedwillbeexecuted。Ifyouhaveanypromotionstorecommend，sendthenamesforward，andIwillapprovethem。
Inconclusion，itishardlynecessaryformetosaythatIfeelyouhaveaccomplishedthemostgiganticundertakinggiventoanygeneralinthiswar，andwithaskillandabilitythatwillbeacknowledgedinhistoryasunsurpassed，ifnotunequaled。Itgivesmeasmuchpleasuretorecordthisinyourfavorasitworldinfavorofanylivingman，myselfincluded。
Trulyyours，U。S。GRANT，Lieutenant—General。
HEADQUARTERSMILITARYDIVISIONOFTHEMISSISSIPPI
INTHEFIELD，ATLANTA，GEORGIA，September20，1864。
Lieutenant—GeneralU。S。GRANT，Commander—in—Chief，CityPoint，VirginaGENERAL:Ihavethehonortoacknowledge，atthehandsofLieutenantColonelPorter，ofyourstaff，yourletterofSeptember12th，andacceptwithwiththanksthehonorableandkindlymentionoftheservicesofthisarmyinthegreatcauseinwhichweareallengaged。
IsendbyColonelPorterallofficialreportswhicharecompleted，andwillinafewdayssubmitalistofnameswhicharedeemedworthyofpromotion。
IthinkweoweittothePresidenttosavehimtheinvidioustaskofselectionamongthevastnumberofworthyapplicants，andhaveorderedmyarmycommanderstopreparetheirlistswithgreatcare，andtoexpresstheirpreferences，baseduponclaimsofactualcapacityandservicesrendered。
TheseIwillconsolidate，andsubmitinsuchaformthat，ifmistakesaremade，theywillatleastbesanctionedbythebestcontemporaneousevidenceofmerit，forIknowthatvacanciesdonotexistequalinnumbertothatoftheofficerswhoreallydeservepromotion。
Astothefuture，Iampleasedtoknowthatyourarmyisbeingsteadilyreinforcedbyagoodclassofmen，andIhopeitwillgoonuntilyouhaveaforcethatisnumericallydoublethatofyourantagonist，sothatwithonepartyoucanwatchhim，andwiththeotherpushoutboldlyfromyourleftflank，occupytheSouthsideRailroad，compelhimtoattackyouinposition，oracceptbattleonyourownterms。
Weoughttoaskourcountryforthelargestpossiblearmiesthatcanberaised，assoimportantathingastheself—existenceofagreatnationshouldnotbelefttotheficklechancesofwar。
NowthatMobileisshutouttothecommerceofourenemy，itcallsfornofurthereffortonourpart，unlessthecaptureofthecitycanbefollowedbytheoccupationoftheAlabamaRiverandtherailroadtoColumbus，Georgia，whenthatplacewouldbeamagnificentauxiliarytomyfurtherprogressintoGeorgia;but，untilGeneralCanbyismuchreinforced，anduntilhecanmorethoroughlysubduethescatteredarmieswestoftheMississippi，I
supposethatmuchcannotbeattemptedbyhimagainsttheAlabamaRiverandColumbus，Georgia。
TheutterdestructionofWilmington，NorthCarolina，isofimportanceonlyinconnectionwiththenecessityofcuttingoffallforeigntradetoourenemy，andifAdmiralFarragutcangetacrossthebar，andmovequickly，Isupposehewillsucceed。FrommyknowledgeofthemouthofCapeFearRiver，IanticipatemoredifficultyingettingtheheavyshipsacrossthebarthaninreachingthetownofWilmington;but，ofcourse，thesoundingsofthechannelarewellknownatWashington，aswellasthedraughtofhisiron—clads，sothatitmustbedemonstratedtobefeasible，orelseitwouldnotbeattempted。Ifsuccessful，IsupposethatFortCaswellwillbeoccupied，andthefleetatoncesenttotheSavannahRiver。Thenthereductionofthatcityisthenextquestion。Itonceinourpossession，andtheriveropentous，I
wouldnothesitatetocrosstheStateofGeorgiawithsixtythousandmen，haulingsomestores，anddependingonthecountryforthebalance。Whereamillionofpeoplefindsubsistence，myarmywon’tstarve;but，asyouknow，inacountrylikeGeorgia，withfewroadsandinnumerablestreams，aninferiorforcecansodelayanarmyandharassit，thatitwouldnotbeaformidableobject;butiftheenemyknewthatwehadourboatsintheSavannahRiverI
couldrapidlymovetoMilledgeville，wherethereisabundanceofcornandmeat，andcouldsothreatenMaconandAugustathattheenemyworlddoubtlessgiveupMaconforAugusta;thenIwouldmovesoastointerposebetweenAugustaandSavannah，andforcehimtogiveusAugusta，withtheonlypowder—millsandfactoriesremainingintheSouth，orletushavetheuseoftheSavannahRiver。Eitherhornofthedilemmawillbeworthabattle。IwouldpreferhisholdingAugusta（astheprobabilitiesare）;forthen，withtheSavannahRiverinourpossession，thetakingofAugustawouldbeamerematteroftime。Thiscampaigncanbemadeinthewinter。
ButthemoreIstudythegame，themoreamIconvincedthatitwouldbewrongforustopenetratefartherintoGeorgiawithoutanobjectivebeyond。Itwouldnotbeproductiveofmuchgood。Icanstarteastandmakeacircuitsouthandback，doingvastdamagetotheState，butresultinginnopermanentgood;andbymerethreateningtodoso，IholdarodovertheGeorgians，whoarenotover—loyaltotheSouth。IwillthereforegiveitasmyopinionthatyourarmyandCanby’sshouldbereinforcedtothemaximum;
that，afteryougetWilmington，youshouldstrikeforSavannahanditsriver;thatGeneralCanbyshouldholdtheMississippiRiver，andsendaforcetotakeColumbus，Georgia，eitherbywayoftheAlabamaorAppalachicolaRiver;thatIshouldkeepHoodemployedandputmyarmyinfineorderforamarchonAugusta，Columbia，andCharleston;andstartassoonasWilmingtonissealedtocommerce，andthecityofSavannahisinourpossession。
IthinkitwillbefoundthatthemovementsofPriceandShelby，westoftheMississippi，aremerediversions。TheycannothopetoenterMissouriexceptasraiders;andthetruthis，thatGeneralRosecransshouldbeashamedtotakemytroopsforsuchapurpose。
IfyouwillsecureWilmingtonandthecityofSavannahfromyourcentre，andletGeneralCanbyleavecommandovertheMississippiRiverandcountrywestofit，IwillsendaforcetotheAlabamaandAppalachicola，providedyougivemeonehundredthousandofthedraftedmentofillupmyoldregiments;andifyouwillfixadaytobeinSavannah，IwillinsureourpossessionofMaconandapointontheriverbelowAugusta。ThepossessionoftheSavannahRiverismorethanfataltothepossibilityofSouthernindependence。TheymaystandthefallofRichmond，butnotofallGeorgia。
IwillhavealongtalkwithColonelPorter，andtellhimeverythingthatmayoccurtomeofinteresttoyou。
Inthemeantime，knowthatIadmireyourdoggedperseveranceandpluckmorethanever。IfyoucanwhipLeeandIcanmarchtotheAtlantic，IthinkUncleAbewillgiveusatwentydays’leaveofabsencetoseetheyoungfolks。
Yoursasever，W。T。SHERMAN，Major—General。
HEADQUARTERSOFTHEARMY，WASHINGTON，September16，1864。
GeneralW。T。SHERMAN，Atlanta，Georgia。
MyDEARGENERAL:Yourveryinterestingletterofthe4thisjustreceived。Itsperusalhasgivenmethegreatestpleasure。IhavenotwrittenbeforetocongratulateyouonthecaptureofAtlanta，theobjectivepointofyourbrilliantcampaign，forthereasonthatIhavebeensufferingfrommyannualattackof\"coryza，\"orhay—cold。ItaffectsmyeyessomuchthatIcanscarcelyseetowrite。Asyousuppose，Ihavewatchedyourmovementsmostattentivelyandcritically，andIdonothesitatetosaythatyourcampaignhasbeenthemostbrilliantofthewar。ItsresultsarelessstrikingandlesscompletethanthoseofGeneralGrantatVicksburg，butthenyouhavehadgreaterdifficultiestoencounter，alongerlineofcommunicationstokeepup，andalongerandmorecontinuousstrainuponyourselfanduponyourarmy。
YoumusthavebeenveryconsiderablyannoyedbytheStatenegrorecruiting—agents。Yourletterwasacapitalone，anddidmuchgood。Thelawwasaridiculousone;itwasopposedbytheWarDepartment，butpassedthroughtheinfluenceofEasternmanufacturers，whohopedtoescapethedraftinthatway。Theyweremakingimmensefortunesoutofthewar，andcouldwellaffordtopurchasenegrorecruits，andthussavetheiremployeesathome。
Ifullyagreewithyouinregardtothepolicyofastringentdraft;but，unfortunately，politicalinfluencesareagainstus，andIfearitwillnotamounttomuch。Mr。Seward’sspeechatAuburn，againprophesying，forthetwentiethtime，thattherebellionwouldbecrushedinafewmonths，andsayingthattherewouldbenodraft，aswenowhadenoughsoldierstoendthewar，etc。，hasdonemuchharm，inamilitarypointofview。Ihaveseenenoughofpoliticsheretolastmeforlife。Youarerightinavoidingthem。
McClellanmaypossiblyreachtheWhiteHouse，buthewilllosetherespectofallhonest，high—mindedpatriots，byhisaffiliationwithsuchtraitorsandCopperheadsasB———，V———，W———，S———，&Co。
HewouldnotstanduponthetraitorousChicagoplatform，buthehadnotthemanlinesstoopposeit。Amajor—generalintheUnitedStatesArmy，andyetnotonewordtoutteragainstrebelsortherebellion！IhadmuchrespectforMcClellanbeforehebecameapolitician，butverylittleafterreadinghisletteracceptingthenomination。
HookercertainlymadeamistakeinleavingbeforethecaptureofAtlanta。Iunderstandthat，whenhere，hesaidthatyouwouldfail;yourarmywasdiscouragedanddissatisfied，etc。，etc。Heismostunmeasuredinhisabuseofme。IincloseyouaspecimenofwhathepublishesinNorthernpapers，whereverhegoes。TheyaredictatedbyhimselfandwrittenbyW。B。andsuchworthies。Thefunnypartofthebusinessis，thatIhadnothingwhatevertodowithhisbeingrelievedoneitheroccasion。Moreover，IhaveneversaidanythingtothePresidentorSecretaryofWartoinjurehimintheslightestdegree，andheknowsthatperfectlywell。Hisanimosityarisesfromanothersource。HeisawarethatIknowsomethingsabouthischaracterandconductinCalifornia，and，fearingthatImayusethatinformationagainsthim，heseekstowardoffitseffectbymakingitappearthatIamhispersonalenemy，amjealousofhim，etc。Iknowofnootherreasonforhishostilitytome。Heiswelcometoabusemeasmuchashepleases;Idon’tthinkitwilldohimmuchgood，ormemuchharm。IknowverylittleofGeneralHoward，butbelievehimtobeatrue，honorableman。Thomasisalsoanobleoldwar—horse。Itistrue，asyousay，thatheisslow，butheisalwayssure。
IhavenotseenGeneralGrantsincethefallofAtlanta，anddonotknowwhatinstructionshehassentyou。IfearthatCanbyhasnotthemeanstodomuchbywayofMobile。ThemilitaryeffectsofBanks’sdisasterarenowshowingthemselvesbythethreatenedoperationsofPrice&Co。towardMissouri，thuskeepingincheckourarmieswestoftheMississippi。
Withmanythanksforyourkindletter，andwishesforyourfuturesuccess，yourstruly，H。W。HALLECK。
HEADQUARTERSMILITARYDIVISIONOFTHEMISSISSIPPI
ATLANTA，GEORGIA，September20，1864。
MajorGeneralHALLECK，ChiefofStaff，WashingtonD。C。