Myaimthenwas，towhiptherebels，tohumbletheirpride，tofollowthemtotheirinmostrecesses，andmakethemfearanddreadus。\"FearoftheLordisthebeginningofwisdom。\"IdidnotwantthemtocastinourteethwhatGeneralHoodhadoncedoneinAtlanta，thatwehadtocallontheirslavestohelpustosubduethem。But，asregardskindnesstotherace，encouragingthemtopatienceandforbearance，procuringthemfoodandclothing，andprovidingthemwithlandwhereontolabor，IassertthatnoarmyeverdidmoreforthatracethantheoneIcommandedinSavannah。
WhenwereachedSavannah，wewerebesetbyravenousStateagentsfromHiltonHead，whoenticedandcarriedawayourservants，andthecorpsofpioneerswhichwehadorganized，andwhichhaddonesuchexcellentservice。Ononeoccasion，myownaide—de—camp，ColonelAudenried，foundatleastahundredpoornegroesshutupinahouseandpen，waitingforthenight，tobeconveyedstealthilytoHiltonHead。Theyappealedtohimforprotection，allegingthattheyhadbeentoldthattheymustbesoldiers，that\"MassaLincoln\"
wantedthem，etc。Ineverdeniedtheslavesafullopportunityforvoluntaryenlistment，butIdidprohibitforcetobeused，forI
knewthattheStateagentsweremoreinfluencedbytheprofittheyderivedfromthelargebountiesthenbeingpaidthanbyanyloveofcountryorofthecoloredrace。InthelanguageofMr。Frazier，theenlistmentofeveryblackman\"didnotstrengthenthearmy，buttookawayonewhitemanfromtheranks。\"
DuringMr。Stanton’sstayinSavannahwediscussedthisnegroquestionveryfully;heaskedmetodraftanorderonthesubject，inaccordancewithmyownviews，thatwouldmeetthepressingnecessitiesofthecase，andIdidso。Wewentoverthisorder，No。15，ofJanuary16，1865，verycarefully。Thesecretarymadesomeverbalmodifications，whenitwasapprovedbyhiminallitsdetails，Ipublishedit，anditwentintooperationatonce。Itprovidedfullyfortheenlistmentofcoloredtroops，andgavethefreedmencertainpossessoryrightstoland，whichafterwardbecamemattersofjudicialinquiryanddecision。Ofcourse，themilitaryauthoritiesatthatday，whenwarprevailed，hadaperfectrighttograntthepossessionofanyvacantlandtowhichtheycouldextendmilitaryprotection，butwedidnotundertaketogiveafee—simpletitle;andallthatwasdesignedbythesespecialfieldorderswastomaketemporaryprovisionsforthefreedmenandtheirfamiliesduringtherestofthewar，oruntilCongressshouldtakeactioninthepremises。AllthatInowproposetoassertis，thatMr。
Stanton，SecretaryofWar，sawtheseordersintherough，andapprovedeveryparagraphthereof，beforetheyweremadepublic:
[SpecialFieldOrders，No。15。]
HEADQUARTERSMILITARYDIVISIONOETHEMISSISSIPPI，INTHEFIELD，NEARSAVANNAH，GEORGIA，January16，1865。
1。TheislandsfromCharlestonsouth，theabandonedrice—fieldsalongtheriversforthirtymilesbackfromthesea，andthecountryborderingtheSt。John’sRiver，Florida，arereservedandsetapartforthesettlementofthenegroesnowmadefreebytheactsofwarandtheproclamationofthePresidentoftheUnitedStates。
2。AtBeaufort，HiltonHead，Savannab，Fernandina，St。Augustine，andJacksonville，theblacksmayremainintheirchosenoraccustomedvocations;butontheislands，andinthesettlementshereaftertobeestablished，nowhitepersonwhatever，unlessmilitaryofficersandsoldiersdetailedforduty，willbepermittedtoreside;andthesoleandexclusivemanagementofaffairswillbelefttothefreedpeoplethemselves，subjectonlytotheUnitedStatesmilitaryauthority，andtheactsofCongress。Bythelawsofwar，andordersofthePresidentoftheUnitedStates，thenegroisfree，andmustbedealtwithassuch。Hecannotbesubjectedtoconscription，orforcedmilitaryservice，savebythewrittenordersofthehighestmilitaryauthorityofthedepartment，undersuchregulationsasthePresidentorCongressmayprescribe。
Domesticservants，blacksmiths，carpenters，andothermechanics，willbefreetoselecttheirownworkandresidence，buttheyoungandable—bodiednegroesmustbeencouragedtoenlistassoldieryintheserviceoftheUnitedStates，tocontributetheirsharetowardmaintainingtheirownfreedom，andsecuringtheirrightsascitizensoftheUnitedStates。
Negroessoenlistedwillbeorganizedintocompanies，battalions，andregiments，undertheordersoftheUnitedStatesmilitaryauthorities，andwillbepaid，fed，andclothed;accordingtolaw。
Thebountiespaidonenlistmentmay，withtheconsentoftherecruit，gotoassisthisfamilyandsettlementinprocuringagriculturalimplements，seed，tools，boots，clothing，andotherarticlesnecessaryfortheirlivelihood。
8。Wheneverthreerespectablenegroes，headsoffamilies，shalldesiretosettleonland，andshallhaveselectedforthatpurposeanislandoralocalityclearlydefinedwithinthelimitsabovedesignated，theInspectorofSettlementsandPlantationswillhimself，or，bysuchsubordinateofficerashemayappoint，givethemalicensetosettlesuchislandordistrict，andaffordthemsuchassistanceashecantoenablethemtoestablishapeaceableagriculturalsettlement。Thethreepartiesnamedwillsubdividetheland，underthesupervisionoftheinspector，amongthemselves，andsuchothersasmaychoosetosettlenearthem，sothateachfamilyshallhaveaplotofnotmorethanfortyacresoftillableground，and，whenitbordersonsomewater—channel，withnotmorethaneighthundredfeetwater—front，inthepossessionofwhichlandthemilitaryauthoritieswillaffordthemprotectionuntilsuchtimeastheycanprotectthemselves，oruntilCongressshallregulatetheirtitle。Thequartermastermay，ontherequisitionoftheInspectorofSettlementsandPlantations，placeatthedisposaloftheinspectoroneormoreofthecapturedsteamerstoplybetweenthesettlementsandoneormoreofthecommercialpointsheretoforenamed，inordertoaffordthesettlerstheopportunitytosupplytheirnecessarywants，andtoselltheproductsoftheirlandandlabor。
4。WheneveranegrohasenlistedinthemilitaryserviceoftheUnitedStates，bemaylocatehisfamilyinanyoneofthesettlementsatpleasure，andacquireahomestead，andallotherrightsandprivilegesofasettler，asthoughpresentinperson。
Inlikemanner，negroesmaysettletheirfamiliesandengageonboardthegunboats，orinfishing，orinthenavigationoftheinlandwaters，withoutlosinganyclaimtolandorotheradvantagesderivedfromthissystem。Butnoone，unlessanactualsettlerasabovedefined，orunlessabsentonGovernmentservice，willbeentitledtoclaimanyrighttolandorpropertyinanysettlementbyvirtueoftheseorders。
5。Inordertocarryoutthissystemofsettlement，ageneralofficerwillbedetailedasInspectorofSettlementsandPlantations，whosedutyitshallbetovisitthesettlements，toregulatetheirpoliceandgeneralarrangement，andwhowillfurnishpersonallytoeachheadofafamily，subjecttotheapprovalofthePresidentoftheUnitedStates，apossessorytitleinwriting，givingasnearaspossiblethedescriptionofboundaries;andwhoshalladjustallclaimsorconflictsthatmayariseunderthesame，subjecttothelikeapproval，treatingsuchtitlesaltogetheraspossessory。Thesamegeneraloffcerwillalsobechargedwiththeenlistmentandorganizationofthenegrorecruits，andprotectingtheirinterestswhileabsentfromtheirsettlements;andwillbegovernedbytherulesandregulationsprescribedbytheWarDepartmentforsuchpurposes。
6。Brigadier—GeneralR。SaxtonisherebyappointedInspectorofSettlementsandPlantations，andwillatonceenterontheperformanceofhisduties。NochangeisintendedordesiredinthesettlementnowonBeaufortIsland，norwillanyrightstopropertyheretoforeacquiredbeaffectedthereby。
ByorderofMajor—GeneralW。T。Sherman，L。M。DAYTON，AssistantAdjutant—General。
Isawagooddealofthesecretarysocially，duringthetimeofhisvisittoSavannah。Hekepthisquartersontherevenue—cutterwithSimeonDraper，Esq。，whichcutterlayatawharfintheriver，buthecameveryoftentomyquartersatMr。Green’shouse。Thoughappearingrobustandstrong，hecomplainedagooddealofinternalpains，whichhesaidthreatenedhislife，andwouldcompelhimsoontoquitpublicoffice。HeprofessedtohavecomefromWashingtonpurposelyforrestandrecreation，andhespokeunreservedlyofthebickeringsandjealousiesatthenationalcapital;oftheinterminablequarrelsoftheStateGovernorsabouttheirquotas，andmoreparticularlyofthefinancialtroublesthatthreatenedtheveryexistenceoftheGovernmentitself。Hesaidthatthepriceofeverythinghadsorisenincomparisonwiththedepreciatedmoney，thattherewasdangerofnationalbankruptcy，andheappealedtome，asasoldierandpatriot，tohurryupmatterssoastobringthewartoaclose。
HeleftforPortRoyalaboutthe15thofJanuary，andpromisedtogoNorthwithoutdelay，soastohurrybacktomethesuppliesI
hadcalledfor，asindispensablefortheprosecutionofthenextstageofthecampaign。Iwasquiteimpatienttogetoffmyself，foracity—lifehadbecomedullandtame，andwewereallanxioustogetintothepine—woodsagain，freefromtheimportunitiesofrebelwomenaskingforprotection，andoftheciviliansfromtheNorthwhowerecomingtoSavannahforcottonandallsortsofprofit。
Onthe18thofJanuaryGeneralSlocumwasorderedtoturnoverthecityofSavannahtoGeneralJ。G。Foster，commandingtheDepartmentoftheSouth，whoproposedtoretainhisownheadquartersatHiltonHead，andtooccupySavannahbyGeneralGroversdivisionoftheNineteenthCorps，justarrivedfromJamesRiver;andonthenextday，viz。，January19th，Imadethefirstgeneralordersforthemove。
TheseweresubstantiallytogrouptherightwingofthearmyatPocotaligo，alreadyheldbytheSeventeenthCorps，andtheleftwingandcavalryatornearRobertsville，inSouthCarolina。ThearmyremainedsubstantiallythesameasduringthemarchfromAtlanta，withtheexceptionofafewchangesinthecommandersofbrigadesanddivisions，theadditionofsomemenwhohadjoinedfromfurlough，andthelossofothersfromtheexpirationoftheirtermofservice。Myownpersonalstaffremainedthesame，withtheexceptionthatGeneralW。F。BarryhadrejoinedusatSavannah，perfectlyrecoveredfromhisattackoferysipelas，andcontinuedwithustotheendofthewar。GeneralsEastonandBeckwithremainedatSavannah，inchargeoftheirrespectivedepots，withorderstofollowandmeetusbyseawithsupplieswhenweshouldreachthecoastatWilmingtonorNewbern，NorthCarolina。
Ofcourse，Igaveoutwithsomeostentation，especiallyamongtherebels，thatweweregoingtoCharlestonorAugusta;butIhadlongbeforemadeupmymindtowastenotimeoneither，furtherthantoplayoffontheirfears，thustoretainfortheirprotectionaforceoftheenemywhichwouldotherwiseconcentrateinourfront，andmakethepassageofsomeofthegreatriversthatcrossedourroutemoredifficultandbloody。
Havingaccomplishedallthatseemednecessary，onthe21stofJanuary，withmyentireheadquarters，officers，clerks，orderlies，etc。，withwagonsandhorses，IembarkedinasteamerforBeaufort，SouthCarolina，touchingatHiltonHead，toseeGeneralFoster。
Theweatherwasrainyandbad，butwereachedBeaufortsafelyonthe23d，andfoundsomeofGeneralBlair’stroopsthere。Thepinkofhiscorps（Seventeenth）was，however，upontherailroadaboutPocotaligo，neartheheadofBroadRiver，towhichtheirsupplieswerecarriedfromHiltonHeadbysteamboats。GeneralHatch’sdivision（ofGeneralFoster’scommand）wasstillatCoosawhatchieorTullafinny，wheretheCharleston&SavannahRailroadcrossestheriverofthatname。AllthecountrybetweenBeaufortandPocotaligowaslowalluvialland，cutupbyaninfinitenumberofsalt—watersloughsandfreshwatercreeks，easilysusceptibleofdefensebyasmallforce;andwhytheenemyhadallowedustomakealodgmentatPocotaligosoeasilyIdidnotunderstand，unlessitresultedfromfearorignorance。ItseemedtomethenthattheterribleenergytheyhaddisplayedintheearlierstagesofthewarwasbeginningtoyieldtotheslowerbutmorecertainindustryanddisciplineofourNorthernmen。ItwastomemanifestthatthesoldiersandpeopleoftheSouthentertainedanunduefearofourWesternmen，and，likechildren，theyhadinventedsuchghostlikestoriesofourprowessinGeorgia，thattheywerescaredbytheirowninventions。Still，thiswasapower，andIintendedtoutilizeit。Somehow，ourmenhadgottheideathatSouthCarolinawasthecauseofallourtroubles;herpeoplewerethefirsttofireonFortSumter，hadbeeninagreathurrytoprecipitatethecountryintocivilwar;andthereforeonthemshouldfallthescourgeofwarinitsworstform。Tauntingmessageshadalsocometous，wheninGeorgia，totheeffectthat，whenweshouldreachSouthCarolina，wewouldfindapeoplelesspassive，whowouldfightustothebitterend，daringustocomeover，etc。;sothatIsawandfeltthatwewouldnotbeablelongertorestrainourmenaswehaddoneinGeorgia。
PersonallyIhadmanyfriendsinCharleston，towhomIwouldgladlyhaveextendedprotectionandmercy，buttheywerebeyoudmypersonalreach，andIwouldnotrestrainthearmylestitsvigorandenergyshouldbeimpaired;andIhadeveryreasontoexpectboldandstrongresistanceatthemanybroadanddeepriversthatlayacrossourpath。
GeneralFoster’sDepartmentoftheSouthhadbeenenlargedtoembracethecoastofNorthCarolina，sothatthefewtroopsservingthere，underthecommandofGeneralInnisN。Palmer，atNewbern，becamesubjecttomycommand。GeneralA。H。TerryheldFortFisher，andarumorcamethathahadtakenthecityofWilmington;
butthiswaspremature。Hehadabouteightthousandmen。GeneralSchofieldwasalsoknowntobeenroutefromNashvilleforNorthCarolina，withtheentireTwenty—thirdCorps，sothatIhadeveryreasontobesatisfiedthatIwouldreceiveadditionalstrengthasweprogressednorthward，andbeforeIshouldneedit。
GeneralW。J。HardeecommandedtheConfederateforcesinCharleston，withtheSalkiehatchieRiverashislineofdefense。
ItwasalsoknownthatGeneralBeauregardhadcamefromthedirectionofTennessee，andhadassumedthegeneralcommandofallthetroopsdesignedtoresistourprogress。
TheheavywinterrainshadbegunearlyinJanuary，renderedtheroadsexecrable，andtheSavannahRiverbecamesoswollenthatitfilleditsmanychannels，overflowingthevastextentofrice—fieldsthatlayontheeastbank。Thisflooddelayedourdeparturetwoweeks;foritsweptawayourpontoon—bridgeatSavannah，andcameneardrowningJohnE。Smith’sdivisionoftheFifteenthCorps，withseveralheavytrainsofwagonsthatwereenroutefromSavannahtoPocotaligobytheoldcauseway。
GeneralSlocumhadalreadyferriedtwoofhisdivisionsacrosstheriver，whenSister’sFerry，aboutfortymilesaboveSavannah，wasselectedforthepassageoftherestofhiswingandofKilpatrick’scavalry。ThetroopswereinmotionforthatpointbeforeIquittedSavannah，andCaptainS。B。Luce，UnitedStatesNavy，hadreportedtomewithagunboat（thePontiac）andacoupleoftransports，whichIrequestedhimtouseinprotectingSister’sFerryduringthepassageofSlocum’swing，andtofacilitatethepassageofthetroopsallhecould。Theutmostactivityprevailedatallpoints，butitwasmanifestwecouldnotgetoffmuchbeforethe1stdayofFebruary;soIdeterminedtogoinpersontoPocotaligo，andthereactasthoughwewereboundforCharleston。
Onthe24thofJanuaryIstartedfromBeaufortwithapartofmystaff，leavingtheresttofollowatleisure，rodeacrosstheislandtoapontoon—bridgethatspannedthechannelbetweenitandthemain—land，andthencerodebyGarden’sCornerstoaplantationnotfarfromPocotaligo，occupiedbyGeneralBlair。Therewefoundahouse，withamajesticavenueoflive—oaks，whoselimbshadbeencutawaybythetroopsforfirewood，anddesolationmarkedoneofthosesplendidSouthCarolinaestateswheretheproprietorsformerlyhaddispensedahospitalitythatdistinguishedtheoldregimeofthatproudState。Isleptonthefloorofthehouse，butthenightwassobittercoldthatIgotupbythefireseveraltimes，andwhenitburnedlowIrekindleditwithanoldmantel—clockandthewreckofabedsteadwhichstoodinacorneroftheroom——theonlyactofvandalismthatIrecalldonebymyselfpersonallyduringthewar。
ThenextmorningIrodetoPocotaligo，andthencereconnoitredourentirelinedowntoCoosawhatchie。PocotaligoFortwasonlow，alluvialground，andnearitbeganthesandypine—landwhichconnectedwiththefirmgroundextendinginland，constitutingthechiefreasonforitscaptureattheveryfirststageofthecampaign。Hatch’sdivisionwasorderedtothatpointfromCoosawhatchie，andthewholeofHoward’srightwingwasbroughtnearby，readytostartbythe1stofFebruary。IalsoreconnoitredthepointoftheSalkiehatchieRiver，wheretheCharlestonRailroadcrossedit，foundthebridgeprotectedbyarebelbatteryonthefartherside，andcouldseeafewmenaboutit;butthestreamitselfwasabsolutelyimpassable，forthewholebottomwasoverflowedbyitsSwollenwaterstothebreadthofafullmile。Nevertheless，Force’sandMower’sdivisionsoftheSeventeenthCorpswerekeptactive，seeminglywiththeintentiontocrossoverinthedirectionofCharleston，andthustokeepupthedelusionthatthatcitywasourimmediate\"objective。\"Meantime，I
hadreportsfromGeneralSlocumoftheterribledifficultieshehadencounteredaboutSister’sFerry，wheretheSavannahRiverwasreportednearlythreemileswide，anditseemedforatimealmostimpossibleforhimtospanitatallwithhisfrailpontoons。
Aboutthistime（January25th），theweatherclearedawaybrightandcold，andIinferredthattheriverwouldsoonrundown，andenableSlocumtopasstheriverbeforeFebruary1st。OneofthedivisionsoftheFifteenthCorps（Corse’s）hadalsobeencutoffbythelossofthepontoon—bridgeatSavannah，sothatGeneralSlocumhadwithhim，notonlyhisowntwocorps，butCorse’sdivisionandKilpatrick’scavalry，withoutwhichitwasnotprudentformetoinauguratethecampaign。WethereforerestedquietlyaboutPocotaligo，collectingstoresandmakingfinalpreparations，untilthe1stofFebruary，whenIlearnedthatthecavalryandtwodivisionsoftheTwentiethCorpswerefairlyacrosstheriver，andthengavethenecessaryordersforthemarchnorthward。
Beforeclosingthischapter，Iwilladdafeworiginallettersthatbeardirectlyonthesubject，andtendtoillustrateitHEADQUARTERSARMIESOFTHEUNITEDSTATES
WASHINGTON，D。C。January21，1866。
Major—GeneralW。T。SHERMAN，commandingMilitaryDivisionoftheMississippi。
GENERAL:YourlettersbroughtbyGeneralBarnardwerereceivedatCityPoint，andreadwithinterest。Nothavingthemwithme，however，IcannotsaythatinthisIwillbeabletosatisfyyouonallpointsofrecommendation。AsIarrivedhereat1p。m。，andmustleaveat6p。m。，havinginthemeantimespentoverthreehourswiththesecretaryandGeneralHalleck，Imustbebrief。
BeforeyourlastrequesttohaveThomasmakeacampaignintotheheartofAlabama，IhadorderedSchofieldtoAnnapolis，Maryland，withhiscorps。Theadvance（sixthousand）willreachtheseaboardbythe23d，theremainderfollowingasrapidlyasrailroadtransportationcanbeprocuredfromCincinnati。Thecorpsnumbersovertwenty—onethousandmen。
Thomasisstillleftwithasufficientforce，surplustogotoSelmaunderanenergeticleader。Hehasbeentelegraphedto，toknowwhetherhecouldgo，and，ifso，bywhichofseveralrouteshewouldselect。Noreplyisyetreceived。Canbyhasbeenorderedtosetoffensivelyfromtheseacoasttotheinterior，towardMontgomeryandSelma。Thomas’sforceswillmovefromthenorthatanearlyday，orsomeofhistroopswillbesenttoCanby。WithoutfurtherreenforcementCanbywillhaveamovingcolumnoftwentythousandmen。
FortFisher，youareaware，hasbeencaptured。Wehaveaforcethereofeightthousandeffective。AtNewbernabouthalfthenumber。Itisrumored，throughdeserters，thatWilmingtonalsohasfallen。Iaminclinedtobelievetherumor，becauseonthe17thweknewtheenemywereblowinguptheirworksaboutFortCaswell，andthatonthe18thTerrymovedonWilmington。
IfWilmingtoniscaptured，Schofieldwillgothere。Ifnot，hewillbesenttoNewbern。Ineitherevent，allthesurplusforcesatthetwopointswillmovetotheinterior，towardGoldsboro’，incooperationwithyourmovements。Fromeitherpoint，railroadcommunicationscanberunout，therebeinghereabundanceofrolling—stocksuitedtothegaugeofthoseroads。
TherehavebeenaboutsixteenthousandmensentfromLee’sarmysouth。Ofthese，youwillhavefourteenthousandagainstyou，ifWilmingtonisnotheldbytheenemy，casualtiesatFortFisherhavingovertakenabouttwothousand。
Allothertroopsaresubjecttoyourordersasyoucomeincommunicationwiththem。Theywillbesoinstructed。FromaboutRichmondIwillwatchLeeclosely，andifhedetachesmanymen，orattemptstoevacuate，willpitchin。Inthemeantime，shouldyoubebroughttoahaltanywhere，Icansendtwocorpsofthirtythousandeffectivementoyoursupport，fromthetroopsaboutRichmond。
Toresume:CanbyisorderedtooperatetotheinteriorfromtheGulf。A。J。Smithmaygofromthenorth，butIthinkitdoubtful。
Aforceoftwenty—eightorthirtythousandwillcooperatewithyoufromNewbernorWilmington，orboth。Youcancallforreenforcements。
ThiswillbehandedyoubyCaptainHudson，ofmyataff，whowillreturnwithanymessageyoumayhaveforme。IfthereisanythingIcandoforyouinthewayofhavingsuppliesonshipboard，atanypointontheseacoast，readyforyou，letmeknowit。
Yourstruly，U。S。GRANT，Lieutenant—General。
HEADQUARTERSMILITARYDIVISIONOFTHEMISSISSIPPI，INTHEFIELD，POCOTALIGO，SOUTHCAROLINA，January29，1885。
Lieutenant—GeneralU。S。GRANT，CityPoint，Virginia。
DEARGENERAL:CaptainHudsonhasthismomentarrivedwithyourletterofJanuary21st，whichIhavereadwithinterest。
ThecaptureofFortFisherhasamostimportantbearingonmycampaign，andIrejoiceinitformanyreasons，becauseofitsintrinsicimportance，andbecauseitgivesmeanotherpointofsecurityontheseaboard。IhopeGeneralTerrywillfollowitupbythecaptureofWilmington，althoughIdonotlookforit，fromAdmiralPorter’sdispatchtome。IrejoicethatTerrywasnotaWest—Pointer，thathebelongedtoyourarmy，andthathehadthesametroopswithwhichButlerfearedtomaketheattempt。
AdmiralDahlgren，whosefleetisreenforcedbysomemoreironclads，wantstomakeanassaultalaFisheronFortMoultrie，butI
withholdmyconsent，forthereasonthatthecaptureofallSullivan’sIslandisnotconclusiveastoCharleston;thecaptureofJamesIslandwouldbe，butallpronouncethatimpossibleatthistime。Therefore，Iammoving（ashithertodesigned）fortherailroadwestofBranchville，thenwillswingacrosstoOrangeburg，whichwillinterposemyarmybetweenCharlestonandtheinterior。
Contemporaneouswiththis，FosterwilldemonstrateuptheEdisto，andafterwardmakealodgmentatBull’sBay，andoccupythecommonroadwhichleadsfromMountPleasanttowardGeorgetown。WhenIgettoColumbia，IthinkIshallmovestraightforGoldsboro’，viaFayetteville。BythiscircuitIcutallroads，anddevastatetheland;andtheforcesalongthecoast，commandedbyFoster，willfollowmymovement，takinganythingtheenemyletsgo，orsooccupyhisattentionthathecannotdetachallhisforcesagainstme。IfeelsureofgettingWilmington，andmaybeCharleston，andbeingatGoldsboro’，withitsrailroadsfinishedbacktoMoreheadCityandWilmington，IcaneasilytakeRaleigh，whenitseemsthatLeemustcomeout。IfSchofieldcomestoBeaufort，heshouldbepushedouttoKinston，ontheNeuse，andmaybeGoldsboro’（or，rather，apointontheWilmingtonroad，southofGoldsboro’）。ItisnotnecessarytostormGoldsboro’，becauseitisinadistantregion，ofnoimportanceinitself，and，ifitsgarrisonisforcedtodrawsuppliesfromitsnorth，it，willbeeatingupthesamestoresonwhichLeedependsforhiscommand。
IhavenodoubtHoodwillbringhisarmytoAugusta。CanbyandThomasshouldpenetrateAlabamaasfaraspossible，tokeepemployedatleastapartofHood’sarmy;or，whatwouldaccomplishthesamething，ThomasmightreoccupytherailroadfromChattanoogaforwardtotheEtowah，viz。，Rome，Kingston，andAllatoona，therebythreateningGeorgia。IknowthattheGeorgiatroopsaredisaffected。AtSavannahImetdelegatesfromseveralcountiesofthesouthwest，whomanifestedadecidedlyhostilespirittotheConfederatecause。Inursedthefeelingasfaraspossible，andinstructedGrowertokeepitup。
MyleftwingmustnowbeatSister’sFerry，crossingtheSavannahRivertotheeastbank。SlocumhasorderstobeatRobertsvilleto—morrow，preparedtomoveonBarnwell。Howardishere，allreadytostartfortheAugustaRailroadatMidway。
WefindtheenemyontheeastaideoftheSalkiehatchie，andcavalryinourfront;butallgivegroundonourapproach，andseemtobemerelywatchingus。IfwestartonTuesday，inoneweekweshallbenearOrangeburg，havingbrokenuptheAugustaroadfromtheEdistowestwardtwentyortwenty—fivemiles。Iwillbesurethateveryrailistwisted。ShouldweencountertoomuchoppositionnearOrangeburg，thenIwillforatimeneglectthatbranch，andrapidlymoveonColumbia，andfillupthetriangleformedbytheCongareeandWateree（tributariesoftheSantee），breakingupthatgreatcentreoftheCarolinaroads。UptothatpointIfeelfullconfidence，butfromtheremayhavetomanoeuvresome，andwillbeguidedbythequestionsofweatherandsupplies。
YourememberwehadfineweatherlastFebruaryforourMeridiantrip，andmymemoryoftheweatheratCharlestonis，thatFebruaryisusuallyafinemonth。BeforetheMarchstormscomeweshouldbewithinstrikingdistanceofthecoast。ThemonthsofAprilandMaywillbethebestforoperationsfromGoldsboro’toRaleighandtheRoanoke。YoumayrestassuredthatIwillkeepmytroopswellinhand，and，ifIgetworsted，willaimtomaketheenemypaysodearlythatyouwillhavelesstodo。Iknowthatthistripisnecessary;itmustbemadesoonerorlater;Iamontime，andintherightpositionforit。Myarmyislargeenoughforthepurpose，andIasknoreinforcement，butsimplywishtheutmostactivitytobekeptupatallotherpoints，sothatconcentrationagainstmemaynotbeuniversal。
IsuspectthatJeff。Daviswillmoveheavenandearthtocatchme，forsuccesstothiscolumnisfataltohisdreamofempire。
RichmondisnotmorevitaltohiscausethanColumbiaandtheheartofSouthCarolina。
IfThomaswillnotmoveonSelma，orderhimtooccupyRome，Kingston，andAllatoona，andagainthreatenGeorgiainthedirectionofAthena。
Ithinkthe\"poorwhitetrash\"oftheSoutharefallingoutoftheirranksbysickness，desertion，andeveryavailablemeans;butthereisalargeclassofvindictiveSouthernerswhowillfighttothelast。ThesquabblesinRichmond，thehowlsinCharleston，andthedisintegrationelsewhere，areallgoodomensforus;wemustnotrelaxoneiota，but，onthecontrary，pileupourefforts:I
world，erethis，havebeenoff，butwehadterrificrains，whichcaughtusinmotion，andnearlydrownedsomeofthetroopsintherice—fieldsoftheSavannah，sweptawayourcauseway（whichhadbeencarefullycorduroyed），andmadetheswampshereaboutmerelakesofslimymud。Theweatherisnowgood，andIhavethearmyonterrafirma。Supplies，too，cameforalongtimebydailydribletsinsteadofinbulk;thisisnowallremedied，andIhopetostartonTuesday。
IwillissueinstructionstoGeneralFoster，basedonthereenforcementsofNorthCarolina;butifSchofieldcome，youhadbetterrelieveFoster，whocannottakethefield，andneedsanoperationonhisleg。LetSchofieldtakecommand，withhisheadquartersatBeaufort，NorthCarolina，andwithorderstosecureGoldsboro’（withitsrailroadcommunicationbacktoBeaufortandWilmington）。IfLeeletsusgetthatposition，heisgoneup。
IwillstartwithmyAtlantaarmy（sixtythousand），suppliedasbefore，dependingonthecountryforallfoodinexcessofthirtydays。Iwillhavelesscattleonthehoof，butIhearofhogs，cows，andcalves，inBarnwellandtheColombiadistricts。Evenherewehavefoundsomeforage。Ofcourse，theenemywillcarryoffanddestroysomeforage，butIwillburnthehouseswherethepeopleburntheirforage，andtheywillgettiredofit。
ImustriskHood，andtrusttoyoutoholdLeeorbeonhisheelsifhecomessouth。Iobservethattheenemyhassomerespectformyname，fortheygaveupPocotaligowithoutafightwhentheyheardthattheattackingforcebelongedtomyarmy。Iwilltryandkeepupthatfeeling，whichisarealpower。Withrespect，yourfriend，W。T。SHERMAN，Major—generalcommanding。
P。S。——Ileavemychief—quartermasterandcommissarybehindtofollowcoastwise。
W。T。S。
[DispatchNo。6。]
FLAG—STEAMERPHILADELPHIA
SAVANNAHRIVER，January4，1865。
HON。GIDEONWELLS，SecretaryoftheNavy。
SIR:IhavealreadyapprisedtheDepartmentthatthearmyofGeneralShermanoccupiedthecityofSavannahonthe21stofDecember。
Therebelarmy，hardlyrespectableinnumbersorcondition，escapedbycrossingtheriverandtakingtheUnionCausewaytowardtherailroad。
Ihavewalkedaboutthecityseveraltimes，andcanaffirmthatitstranquillityisundisturbed。TheUnionsoldierswhoarestationedwithinitslimitsareasorderlyasiftheywereinNewYorkorBoston……OneeffectofthemarchofGeneralShermanthroughGeorgiahasbeentosatisfythepeoplethattheircredulityhasbeenimposeduponbythelyingassertionsoftherebelGovernment，affirmingtheinabilityoftheUnitedStatesGovernmenttowithstandthearmiesofrebeldom。TheyhaveseentheoldflagoftheUnitedStatescarriedbyitsvictoriouslegionsthroughtheirState，almostunopposed，andplacedintheirprincipalcitywithoutablow。
SincetheoccupationofthecityGeneralShermanhasbeenoccupiedinmakingarrangementsforitssecurityafterheleavesitforthemarchthathemeditates。Myattentionhasbeendirectedtosuchmeasuresofcooperationasthenumberandqualityofmyforcepermit。
Onthe2dIarrivedherefromCharleston，whither，asIstatedinmydispatchofthe29thofDecember，Ihadgoneinconsequenceofinformationfromtheseniorofficertherethattherebelscontemplatedissuingfromtheharbor，andhisrequestformypresence。Havingplacedaforcethereofsevenmonitors，sufficienttomeeteachanemergency，andnotperceivinganysignoftheexpectedraid，IreturnedtoSavannah，tokeepincommunicationwithGeneralShermanandbereadytorenderanyassistancethatmightbedesired。GeneralShermanhasfullyinformedmeofhisplans，and，sofarasmymeanspermit，theyshallnotlackassistancebywater。
Onthe3dthetransferoftherightwingtoBeaufortwasbegan，andtheonlysuitablevesselIhadathand（theHarvestMoon）wassenttoThunderbolttoreceivethefirstembarkation。Thistookplaceabout3p。m。，andwaswitnessedbyGeneralShermanandGeneralBernard（UnitedStatesEngineers）andmyself。ThePontiacisorderedaroundtoassist，andthearmytransportsalsofollowedthefirstmovebytheHarvestMoon。
Icouldnothelpremarkingtheunbrokensilencethatprevailedinthelargearrayoftroops;notavoicewastobeheard，astheygatheredinmassesontheblufftolookatthevessels。Thenotesofasolitarybuglealonecamefromtheirmidst。
GeneralBarnardmadeabriefvisittooneoftherebelworks（Cansten’sBluff）thatdominatedthiswater—course—thebestapproachofthekindtoSavannah。
IamcollectingdatathatwillfullyexhibittotheDepartmentthepowerfulcharacterofthedefensesofthecityanditsapproaches。
GeneralShermanwillnotretaintheextendedlimitstheyembrace。
butwillcontractthelineverymuch。
GeneralFosterstillholdsthepositionneartheTullifinny。WithhisconcurrenceIhavedetachedthefleetbrigade，andthemenbelongingtoithavereturnedtotheirvessels。Theexcellentserviceperformedbythisdetachmenthasfullyrealizedmywishes，andexemplifiedtheefficiencyoftheorganization——infantryandlightartilleryhandledasskirmishers。Thehowitzerswerealwayslandedasquicklyasthemen，andwerebroughtintoactionbeforethelightpiecesoftheland—servieecouldbegotashore。