GodknowsthatIdeplorethisfratricidalwarasmuchasanymanliving，butitisuponus，aphysicalfact;andthereisonlyonehonorableissuefromit。Wemustfightitout，armyagainstarmy，andmanagainstman;andIknow，andyouknow，andciviliansbegintorealizethefact，thatreconciliationandreconstructionwillbeeasierthroughandbymeansofstrong，well—equipped，andorganizedarmiesthanthroughanyspeciesofconventionsthatcanbeframed。
Theissuesaremade，andalldiscussionisoutofplaceandridiculous。Thesectionofthirty—pounderParrottriflesnowdrillingbeforemytentisamoreconvincingargumentthanthelargestDemocraticmeetingtheStateofNewYorkcanpossiblyassembleatAlbany;andasimpleorderoftheWarDepartmenttodraftenoughmentofillourskeletonregimentswouldbemoreconvincingastoournationalperpetuitythananhumblepardontoJeff。Davisandallhismisledhost。
TheonlygovernmentneededordeservedbytheStatesofLouisiana，Arkansas，andMississippi，nowexistsinGrant’sarmy。Thisneeds，simply，enoughprivatestofillitsranks;allelsewillfollowindueseason。Thisarmyhasitswell—definedcodeoflawsandpractice，andcanadaptitselftothewantsandnecessitiesofacity，thecountry，therivers，thesea，indeedtoallpartsofthisland。ItbettersubservestheinterestandpolicyoftheGeneralGovernment，andthepeopleherepreferittoanyweakorservilecombinationthatwouldatonce，fromforceofhabit，revivesadperpetuatelocalprejudicesandpassions。Thepeopleofthiscountryhaveforfeitedallrighttoavoiceinthecouncilsofthenation。Theyknowitandfeelit，andinafter—yearstheywillbethebettercitizensfromthedearboughtexperienceofthepresentcrisis。Letthemlearnnow，andlearnitwell，thatgoodcitizensmustobeyaswellascommand。Obediencetolaw，absolute——yea，evenabject——isthelessonthatthiswar，underProvidence，willteachthefreeandenlightenedAmericancitizen。Aaanation，weshallbethebetterforit。
Ineverhaveapprehendedforeigninterferenceinourfamilyquarrel。Ofcoarse，governmentsfoundedonadifferentanditmaybeanantagonisticprinciplewithoursnaturallyfeelapleasureatourcomplications，and，itmaybe，wishourdownfall;butintheendEnglandandFrancewilljoinwithusinjubilationatthetriumphofconstitutionalgovernmentoverfaction。EvennowtheEnglishmanifestthis。IdonotprofesstounderstandNapoleon’sdesigninMexico，andIdonot，seethathistakingmilitarypossessionofMexicoconcernsus。Wehaveasmuchterritorynowaswewant。TheMexicanshavefailedinself—government，anditwasaquestionastowhatnationsheshouldfallaprey。Thatisnowsolved，andIdon’tseethatwearedamaged。WehavethefinestpartoftheNorthAmericanContinent，allwecanpeopleandcantakecareof;and，ifwecansuppressrebellioninourownland，andcomposethestrifegeneratedbyit，weshallhaveenoughpeople，resources，andwealth，ifwellcombined，todefyinterferencefromanyandeveryquarter。
IthereforehopetheGovernmentoftheUnitedStateswillcontinue，asheretofore，tocollect，inwell—organizedarmies，thephysicalstrengthofthenation;applyingit，asheretofore，inassertingthenationalauthority;andinpersevering，withoutrelaxation，totheend。This，whethernearorfaroff，isnotforustosay;but，fortunately，wehavenochoice。Wemustsucceed——nootherchoiceisleftusexceptdegradation。TheSouthmustberuledbyus，orshewillruleus。Wemustconquerthem，orourselvesbeconquered。
Thereisnomiddlecourse。Theyask，andwillhave，nothingelse，andtalkofcompromiseisbosh;forweknowtheywouldevenscorntheoffer。
Iwishthewarcouldhavebeendeferredfortwentyyears，tillthesuperabundantpopulationoftheNorthcouldflowinandreplacethelossessustainedbywar;butthiscouldnotbe，andweareforcedtotakethingsastheyare。
AllthereforeIcannowventuretoadviseistoraisethedrafttoitsmaximum，fillthepresentregimentstoaslargeastandardaspossible，andpushthewar，pureandsimple。Greatattentionshouldbepaidtothedisciplineofourarmies，foronthemmaybefoundedthefuturestabilityoftheGovernment。
Thecostofthewaris，ofcourse，tobeconsidered，butfinanceswilladjustthemselvestotheactualstateofaffairs;and，evenifwewould，wecouldnotchangethecost。Indeed，thelargerthecostnow，thelesswillitbeintheend;fortheendmustbeattainedsomehow，regardlessoflossoflifeandtreasure，andismerelyaquestionoftime。
Excusesolongaletter。Withgreatrespect，etc。，W。T。SHERMAN，Major—General。
GeneralHalleck，onreceiptofthisletter，telegraphedmethatMr。
Lincolnhadreaditcarefully，andhadinstructedhimtoobtainmyconsenttohaveitpublished。Atthetime，Ipreferrednottobedrawnintoanynewspapercontroversy，andsowrotetoGeneralHalleck;andtheaboveletterhasneverbeen，tomyknowledge，published;thoughMr。Lincolnmorethanoncereferredtoitwithmarksofapproval。
HEADQUARTERSFIFTEENTHARMYCORPS
CAMPONBIGBLACK，September17，1863
Brigadier—GeneralJ。A。RAWLINS，ActingAssistantAdjutant—General，Vicksburg。
DEARGENERAL:Iincloseforyourperusal，andforyoutoreadtoGeneralGrantsuchpartsasyoudeeminteresting，lettersreceivedbymefromProf。MahanandGeneralHalleck，withmyanswers。AfteryouhavereadmyanswertoGeneralHalleck，Ibegyoutoincloseittoitsaddress，andreturnmetheothers。
IthinkProf。Mahan’sverymarkedencomiumuponthecampaignofVicksburgissoflatteringtoGeneralGrant，thatyoumayoffertolethimkeeptheletter，ifhevaluessuchatestimonial。IhaveneverwrittenawordtoGeneralHallecksincemyreportoflastDecember，aftertheaffairatChickasaw，exceptashortletterafewdaysago，thankinghimforthekindmannerofhistransmittingtometheappointmentofbrigadier—general。IknowthatinWashingtonIamincomprehensible，becauseattheoutsetofthewarIwouldnotgoitblindandrushheadlongintoawarunpreparedandwithanutterignoranceofitsextentandpurpose。Iwasthenconstruedunsound;andnowthatIinsistonwarpureandsimple，withnoadmixtureofcivilcompromises，Iamsupposedvindictive。
YourememberwhatPoloniussaidtohissonLaertes:\"Bewareofentrancetoaquarrel;but，beingin，bearit，thattheopposedmaybewareofthee。\"Whatistrueofthesingleman，isequallytrueofanation。Ourleadersseemedatfirsttothirstforthequarrel，willing，evenanxious，toarrayagainstusallpossibleelementsofopposition;andnow，beingin，theywouldhastentoquitlongbeforethe\"opposed\"hasreceivedthatlessonwhichheneeds。Iwouldmakethiswarassevereaspossible，andshownosymptomsoftiringtilltheSouthbegsformercy;indeed，Iknow，andyouknow，thattheendwouldbereachedquickerbysuchacoursethanbyanyseemingyieldingonourpart。Idon’twantourGovernmenttobebotheredbypatchinguplocalgovernments，orbytryingtoreconcileanyclassofmen。TheSouthhasdoneherworst，andnowisthetimeforustopileonourblowsthickandfast。
Insteadofpostponingthedrafttillaftertheelections，weoughtnowtohaveourranksfullofdraftedmen;and，atbest，iftheycomeatall，theywillreachuswhenweshouldbeinmotion。
IthinkGeneralHalleckwouldliketohavethehonest，candidopinionsofallofus，viz。，Grant，McPherson，andSherman。Ihavegivenmine，andwouldprefer，ofcourse，thatitshouldcoincidewiththeothers。Still，nomatterwhatmyopinionmaybe，Icaneasilyadaptmyconducttotheplaneofothers，andamonlytoohappywhenIfindtheirsbetter，thanmine。
Ifnotrouble，pleaseshowHalleck’slettertoMcPherson，andaskhimtowritealso。Iknowhisregimentsarelikemine（meresquads），andneedfillingup。Yourstruly，W。T。SHERMAN，Major—General。
CHAPTERXIV。
CHATTANOOGAANDKNOXVILLE。
JULYTODECEMBER，1863。
AfterthefallofVicksburg，anditscorollary，PortHudson，theMississippiRiverwaswhollyinthepossessionoftheUnionforces，andformedaperfectlineofseparationintheterritoriesofouropponents。Thenceforth，theycouldnotcrossitsavebystealth，andthemilitaryaffairsonitswestbankbecameunimportant。
Grant’sarmyhadseeminglycompleteditsshareoftheworkofwar，andlay，asitwere，idleforatime。InpersonGeneralGrantwenttoNewOrleanstoconferwithGeneralBanks，andhisvictoriousarmywassomewhatdispersed。Parke’scorps（Ninth）returnedtoKentucky，andafterwardformedpartoftheArmyoftheOhio，underGeneralBurnside;Ord’scorps（Thirteenth）wassentdowntoNatchez，andgraduallydriftedtoNewOrleansandTexas;McPhersons（Seventeenth）remainedinandnearVicksburg;Hurlbut’s（Sixteenth）
wasatMemphis;andmine（Fifteenth）wasencampedalongtheBigBlack，abouttwentymileseastofVicksburg。Thiscorpswascomposedoffourdivisions:Steele’s（theFirst）waspostedatandneartherailroad—bridge;Blair’s（theSecond），nextinorder，nearParsonFox’s;theThirdDivision（Tuttle’s）wasontheridgeabouttheheadofBearCreek;andtheFourth（Ewing’s）wasatMessinger’sFord。MyownheadquarterswereintentsinafinegroveofoldoaksnearParsonFox’shouse，andthebattalionoftheThirteenthRegularswastheheadquartersguard。
Allthecampswerearrangedforhealth，comfort，rest，anddrill。
Itbeingmidsummer，wedidnotexpectanychangetilltheautumnmonths，andaccordinglymadeourselvesascomfortableaspossible。
TherewasashortrailroadinoperationfromVicksburgtothebridgeacrosstheBigBlack，whencesuppliesinabundancewerehauledtoourrespectivecamps。WithaknowledgeofthisfactMrs。
ShermancamedownfromOhiowithMinnie，Lizzie，Willie，andTom，topayusavisitinourcampatParsonFog’s。Williewasthennineyearsold，waswelladvancedforhisyears，andtookthemostintenseinterestintheaffairsofthearmy。Hewasagreatfavoritewiththesoldiers，andusedtoridewithmeonhorsebackinthenumerousdrillsandreviewsofthetime。Hethenhadthepromiseofaslongalifeasanyofmychildren，anddisplayedmoreinterestinthewarthananyofthem。Hewascalleda\"sergeant\"
intheregularbattalion，learnedthemanualofarms，andregularlyattendedtheparadeandguard—mountingoftheThirteenth，backofmycamp。WemadefrequentvisitstoVicksburg，andalwaysstoppedwithGeneralMcPherson，whohadalargehouse，andboardedwithafamily（Mrs。Edwards’a）inwhichwereseveralinterestingyoungladies。GeneralGrantoccupiedanotherhouse（Mrs。Lum’s）inVicksburgduringthatsummer，andalsohadhisfamilywithhim。
Thetimepassedveryagreeably，diversifiedonlybylittleeventsofnotmuchsignificance，amongwhichIwillrecountonlyone。
While，weoccupiedthewestbankoftheBigBlack，theeastbankwaswatchedbyarebelcavalry—division，commandedbyGeneralArmstrong。Hehadfourbrigades，commandedbyGeneralsWhitfield，Stark，Cosby，andWirtAdams。Quitefrequentlytheycommunicatedwithusbyflagsoftruceontrivialmatters，andwereciprocated;
merelytoobservethem。Onedayaflagoftruce，bornebyaCaptainB……，ofLouisville，Kentucky，escortedbyabouttwenty—fivemen，wasreportedatMessinger’sFerry，andIsentorderstoletthemcomerightintomytent。ThisbroughtthemthroughthecampsoftheFourthDivision，andpartoftheSecond;
andastheydrewupinfrontofmytent，IinvitedCaptainB……
andanotherofficerwithhim（amajorfromMobile）todismount，toentermytent，andtomakethemselvesathome。Theirescortwassenttojoinmine，withorderstofurnishthemforageandeverythingtheywanted。B……hadbroughtasealedletterforGeneralGrantatVicksburg，whichwasdispatchedtohim。Intheeveningwehadagoodsupper，withwineandcigars，and，aswesattalking，B……spokeofhisfatherandmother，inLouisville，gotleavetowritethemalongletterwithoutitsbeingreadbyanyone，andthenwetalkedaboutthewar。Hesaid:\"Whatistheuseofyourpersevering？Itissimplyimpossibletosubdueeightmillionsofpeople;\"assertingthat\"thefeelingintheSouthhadbecomesoembitteredthatareconciliationwasimpossible。\"Iansweredthat，\"sittingaswethenwere，weappearedverycomfortable，andsurelytherewasnotroubleinourbecomingfriends。\"\"Yes，\"saidhe，\"thatisverytrueofus，butwearegentlemenofeducation，andcaneasilyadaptourselvestoanyconditionofthings;butthiswouldnotapplyequallywelltothecommonpeople，ortothecommonsoldiers。\"Itookhimouttothecamp—firesbehindthetent，andtherewerethemenofhisescortandminemingledtogether，drinkingtheircoffee，andhappyassoldiersalwaysseem。IaskedB……whathethoughtofthat，andheadmittedthatIhadthebestoftheargument。BeforeIdismissedthisflagoftruce，hiscompanionconsultedmeconfidentiallyastowhatdispositionheoughttomakeofhisfamily，theninMobile，andIfranklygavehimthebestadviceIcould。
WhilewewerethuslyingidleincamponthebigBlack，theArmyoftheCumberland，underGeneralRosecrans，wasmovingagainstBraggatChattanooga;andtheArmyoftheOhio，GeneralBurnside，wasmarchingtowardEastTennessee。GeneralRosecranswassoconfidentofsuccessthathesomewhatscatteredhiscommand，seeminglytosurroundandcaptureBragginChattanooga;butthelatter，reenforcedfromVirginia，drewoutofChattanooga，concentratedhisarmyatLafayette，andatChickamaugafellonRosecrans，defeatedhim，anddrovehimintoChattanooga。Thewholecountryseemedparalyzedbythisunhappyevent;andtheauthoritiesinWashingtonwerethoroughlystampeded。FromtheEasttheEleventhCorps（Slocum），andtheTwelfthCorps（Howard），weresentbyrailtoNashville，andforwardundercommandofGeneralHooker;orderswerealsosenttoGeneralGrant，byHalleck，tosendwhatreenforcementshecouldspareimmediatelytowardChattanooga。
BragghadcompletelydrivenRosecrans’sarmyintoChattanooga;thelatterwasinactualdangerofstarvation，andtherailroadtohisrearseemedinadequatetohissupply。ThefirstintimationwhichI
gotofthisdisasterwasonthe22dofSeptember，byanorderfromGeneralGranttodispatchoneofmydivisionsimmediatelyintoVicksburg，togotowardChattanooga，andIdesignatedtheFirst，GeneralOsterhaus——SteelemeantimehavingbeenappointedtothecommandoftheDepartmentofArkansas，andhadgonetoLittleRock。
GeneralOsterhausmarchedthesameday，andonthe23dIwassummonedtoVicksburginperson，whereGeneralGrantshowedmethealarmingdispatchesfromGeneralHalleck，whichhadbeensentfromMemphisbyGeneralHurlbut，andsaid，onfurtherthought，thathewouldsendmeandmywholecorps。But，inasmuchasonedivisionofMcPherson’scorps（JohnE。Smith’s）hadalreadystarted，heinstructedmetoleaveoneofmydivisionsontheBigBlack，andtogettheothertworeadytofollowatonce。IdesignatedtheSecond，thencommandedbyBrigadier—GeneralGilesA。Smith，andtheFourth，commandedbyBrigadier—GeneralCorse。
Onthe25thIreturnedtomycamponBigBlack，gaveallthenecessaryordersforthesedivisionstomove，andfortheThird（Tittle’s）toremain，andwentintoVicksburgwithmyfamily。Thelastofmycorpsdesignedforthisexpeditionstartedfromcamponthe27th，reachedVicksburgthe28th，andwereembarkedonboatsprovidedforthem。GeneralHalleck’sdispatchesdweltuponthefactthatGeneralRosecrans’sroutesofsupplywereovertaxed，andthatweshouldmovefromMemphiseastward，repairingrailroadsasweprogressed，asfarasAthens，Alabama，whenceIwastoreporttoGeneralRosecrans，atChattanooga，byletter。
ItookpassageformyselfandfamilyinthesteamerAtlantic，CaptainHenryMcDougall。Whentheboatwasreadytostart，Williewasmissing。Mrs。Shermansupposedhimtohavebeenwithme，whereasIsupposedhewaswithher。AnofficeroftheThirteenthwentuptoGeneralMcPherson’shouseforhim，andsoonreturned，withCaptainCliftleadinghim，carryinginhishandsasmalldouble—barreledshotgun;andIjokedhimaboutcarryingawaycapturedproperty。Inashorttimewegotoff。AsweallstoodontheguardstolookatouroldcampsatYoung’sPoint，IremarkedthatWilliewasnotwell，andheadmittedthathewassick。Hismotherputhimtobed，andconsultedDr。Roler，oftheFifty—fifthIllinois，whofoundsymptomsoftyphoidfever。Theriverwaslow;
wemadeslowprogresstillaboveHelena;and，asweapproachedMemphis，Dr。RolertoldmethatWillie’slifewasindanger，andhewasextremelyanxioustoreachMemphisforcertainmedicinesandforconsultation。WearrivedatMemphisonthe2dofOctober，carriedWillieuptotheGayosoHotel，andgotthemostexperiencedphysicianthere，whoactedwithDr。Roler，buthesankrapidly，anddiedtheeveningofthe3dofOctober。Theblowwasaterribleonetousall，sosuddenandsounexpected，thatIcouldnothelpreproachingmyselfforhavingconsentedtohisvisitinthatsicklyregioninthesummer—time。Ofallmychildren，heseemedthemostprecious。BorninSanFrancisco，Ihadwatchedwithintenseinteresthisdevelopment，andheseemedmorethananyofthechildrentotakeaninterestinmyspecialprofession。Mrs。
Sherman，Minnie，Lizzie，andTom，werewithhimatthetime，andweall，helplessandoverwhelmed，sawhimdie。Beingintheverymidstofanimportantmilitaryenterprise，Ihadhardlytimetopauseandthinkofmypersonalloss。Weprocuredametalliccasket，andhadamilitaryfuneral，thebattalionoftheThirteenthUnitedStatesRegularsactingasescortfromtheGayosoHoteltothesteamboatGreyEagle，whichconveyedhimandmyfamilyuptoCairo，whencetheyproceededtoourhomeatLancaster，Ohio，wherehewasburied。IheregivemylettertoCaptainC。C。Smith，whocommandedthebattalionatthetime，asexhibitingourintensefeelings:
GAYOSOHOUSE，MEMPHIS，TENNESSEE
October4，1863，MidnightCaptainC。C。SMITH，commandingBattalionThirteenthUnitedStatesRegulars。
MYDEARFRIEND:Icannotsleepto—nighttillIrecordanexpressionofthedeepfeelingsofmyhearttoyou，andtotheofficersandsoldiersofthebattalion，fortheirkindbehaviortomypoorchild。Irealizethatyouallfeelformyfamilytheattachmentofkindred，andIassureyouoffullreciprocity。Consistentwithasenseofdutytomyprofessionandoffice，Icouldnotleavemypost，andsentforthefamilytocometomeinthatfatalclimate，andinthatsicklyperiodoftheyear，andbeholdtheresult！Thechildthatboremyname，andinwhosefutureIreposedwithmoreconfidencethanIdidinmyownplanoflife，nowfloatsamerecorpse，seekingagraveinadistantland，withaweepingmother，brother，andsisters，clusteredabouthim。Formyself，Iasknosympathy。On，onImustgo，tomeetasoldier’sfate，orlivetoseeourcountryrisesuperiortoallfactions，tillitsflagisadoredandrespectedbyourselvesandbyallthepowersoftheearth。
ButWilliewas，orthoughthewas，asergeantintheThirteenth。I
haveseenhiseyebrighten，hisheartbeat，ashebeheldthebattalionunderarms，andaskedmeiftheywerenotrealsoldiers。
Childashewas，hehadtheenthusiasm，thepureloveoftruth，honor，andloveofcountry，whichshouldanimateallsoldiers。
Godonlyknowswhyheshoulddiethusyoung。Heisdead，butwillnotbeforgottentillthosewhoknewhiminlifehavefollowedhimtothatsamemysteriousend。
Pleaseconveytothebattalionmyheart—feltthanks，andassureeachandallthatifinafter—yearstheycallonmeormine，andmentionthattheywereoftheThirteenthRegularswhenWilliewasasergeant，theywillhaveakeytotheaffectionsofmyfamilythatwillopenallithas;thatwewillsharewiththemourlastblanket，ourlastcrust！Yourfriend，W。T。SHERMAN，Major—general。
Longafterward，inthespringof1867，wehadhisbodydisinterredandbroughttoSt。Louis，whereheisnowburiedinabeautifulspot，inCalvaryCemetery，bythesideofanotherchild，\"Charles，\"
whowasbornatLancaster，inthesummerof1864，diedearly，andwasburiedatNotreDame，Indiana。Hisbodywastransferredatthesametimetothesamespot。OverWillie’sgraveiserectedabeautifulmarblemonument，designedandexecutedbytheofficersandsoldiers，ofthatbattalionwhichclaimedhimasasergeantandcomrade。
Duringthesummerandfallof1863Major—GeneralS。A。HurlbutwasincommandatMemphis。HesuppliedmecopiesofalldispatchesfromWashington，andalltheinformationhepossessedoftheeventsaboutChattanooga。Twoofthesedispatchescoverallessentialpoints:
WASHINGTONCITY，September15，1863——5p。m。
Major—GeneralS。A。HURLBUT，Memphis:
AllthetroopsthatcanpossiblybesparedinWestTennesseeandontheMississippiRivershouldbesentwithoutdelaytoassistGeneralRosecransontheTennesseeRiver。
UrgeShermantoactwithallpossiblepromptness。
Ifyouhaveboats，sendthemdowntobringuphistroops。
InformationjustreceivedindicatesthatapartofLee’sarmyhasbeensenttoreenforceBragg。
H。W。HALLECK，General—in—Chief。
Washington，September19，1868——4p。m。
Major—GeneralS。A。HURLBUT，Memphis，Tennessee:
GivemedefiniteinformationofthenumberoftroopssenttowardDecatur，andwheretheyare。Also，whatothertroopsaretofollow，andwhen。
HasanythingbeenheardfromthetroopsorderedfromVicksburg？
NoeffortsmustbesparedtosupportResecrans’sright，andtoguardthecrossingsoftheTennesseeRiver。
H。W。HALLECK，General—in—Chief。
MyspecialordersweretorepairtheMemphis&CharlestonRailroadeastwardasIprogressed，asfarasAthens，Alabama，todrawsuppliesbythatroute，sothat，onreachingAthens，weshouldnotbedependentontheroadsbacktoNashville，alreadyovertaxedbythedemandofRosecrans’sarmy。
OnreachingMemphis，October2d，IfoundthatOsterhaus’sdivisionhadalreadygonebyrailasfarasCorinth，andthanJohnE。
Smith’sdivisionwasintheactofstartingbycars。TheSecondDivision，thencommandedbyBrigadier—GeneralGilesA。Smith，reachedMemphisatthesametimewithme;andtheFourthDivision，commandedbyBrigadier—GeneralJohnM。Corse，arrivedadayortwoafter。TherailroadwasinfairconditionasfarasCorinth，ninety—sixmiles，buttheroadwasbadlystockedwithlocomotivesandcars，sothatittookuntilthe9thtogetofftheSecondDivision，whenIgaveordersfortheFourthDivisionandwagon—trainstomarchbythecommonroad。
OnSundaymorning，October11th，withaspecialtrainloadedwithourorderliesandclerks，thehorsesofourstaff，thebattalionoftheThirteenthUnitedStatesRegulars，andafewofficersgoingforwardtojointheircommands，amongthemBrigadier—GeneralHughEwing，IstartedforCorinth。
AtGermantown，eightmiles，wepassedCorse’sdivision（Fourth）onthemarch，andaboutnoonthetrainranbythedepotatColliersville，twenty—sixmilesout。Iwasintherearcarwithmystaff，dozing，butobservedthetrainslackingspeedandstoppingabouthalfamilebeyondthedepot。Inoticedsomesoldiersrunningtoandfro，gotoutattheendofthecar，andsoonColonelAnthony（Silty—sixthIndiana），whocommandedthepost，rodeupandsaidthathispicketshadjustbeendrivenin，andtherewasanappearanceofanattackbyalargeforceofcavalrycomingfromthesoutheast。Iorderedthementogetoffthetrain，toformontheknollneartherailroad—cut，andsoonobservedarebelofficerridingtowarduswithawhiteflag。ColonelAnthonyandColonelDayton（oneofmyaides）weresenttomeethim，andtokeephiminconversationaslongaspossible。Theysoonreturned，sayingitwastheadjutantoftherebelgeneralChalmers，whodemandedthesurrenderoftheplace。Iinstructedthemtoreturnandgiveanegativeanswer，buttodelayhimasmuchaspossible，soastogiveustimeforpreparation。IsawAnthony，Dayton，andtherebelbeareroftheflag，inconversation，andthelatterturnhishorsetorideback，whenIorderedColonelMcCoytoruntothestation，andgetamessageoverthewiresasquickaspossibletoMemphisandGermantown，tohurryforwardCorse’sdivision。Ithenorderedthetraintobacktothedepot，anddrewbackthebattalionofregularstothesmallearthredoubtnearit。Thedepot—buildingwasofbrick，andhadbeenpuncturedwithloop—holes。Toitseast，abouttwohundredyards，wasasmallsquareearthworkorfort，intowhichwereputapartoftheregularsalongwiththecompanyoftheSixty—sixthIndianaalreadythere。Therestofthemenweredistributedintotherailroad—cut，andinsomeshallowrifle—
trenchesnearthedepot。Wehadhardlymadethesepreparationswhentheenemywasseenforminginalonglineontheridgetothesouth，aboutfourhundredyardsoff，andsoonaftertwopartiesofcavalrypassedtherailroadonbothsidesofus，cuttingthewiresandtearingupsomerails。Soontheyopenedonuswithartillery（ofwhichwehadnone），andtheirmenweredismountingandpreparingtoassault。Tothesouthofuswasanextensivecornfield，withthecornstillstanding，andontheothersidewasthetownofColliersville。Allthehousesnear，thatcouldgivesheltertotheenemy，wereorderedtobesetonfire，andthemenwereinstructedtokeepwellundercoverandtoreservetheirfirefortheassault，whichseemedinevitable。Alonglineofrebelskirmisherscamedownthroughthecornfield，andtwootherpartiesapproachedusalongtherailroadonbothsides。Inthefortwasasmallmagazinecontainingsomecartridges。LieutenantJames，afine，gallantfellow，whowasordnance—officeronmystaff，askedleavetoarmtheorderliesandclerkswithsomemusketswhichhehadfoundinthedepot，towhichIconsented;hemarchedthemintothemagazine，issuedcartridges，andmarchedbacktothedepottoassistinitsdefense。Afterwardhecametome，saidapartyoftheenemyhadgotintothewoodsnearthedepot，andwasannoyinghim，andhewantedtochargeanddriveitaway。Iadvisedhimtobeextremelycautious，asourenemyvastlyoutnumberedus，andhadeveryadvantageinpositionandartillery;butinstructedhim，iftheygottoonear，hemightmakeasally。Soonafter，Iheardarapidfireinthatquarter，andLieutenant。Jameswasbroughtinonastretcher，withaballthroughhisbreast，whichIsupposedtobefatal。
[AfterthefightwesenthimbacktoMemphis，wherehismotherandfathercamefromtheirhomeontheNorthRivertonursehim。YoungJameswasrecoveringfromhiswound，butwasafterwardkilledbyafallfromhisborse，nearhishome，whenridingwiththedaughtersofMr。HamiltonFish，nowSecretaryofState。]
Theenemycloseddownonusseveraltimes，andgotpossessionoftherearofourtrain，fromwhichtheysucceededingettingfiveofourhorses，amongthemmyfavoritemareDolly;butourmenwerecoolandpractisedshots（withgreatexperienceacquiredatVicksburg），anddrovethemback。Withtheirartillerytheyknockedtopiecesourlocomotiveandseveralofthecars，andsetfiretothetrain;butwemanagedtogetpossessionagain，andextinguishedthefire。ColonelAudenreid，aide—de—camp，wasprovokedtofindthathisvaliseofniceshirtshadbeenusedtokindlethefire。’
Thefightingcontinuedallroundusforthreeorfourhours，whenweobservedsignsofdrawingoff，whichIattributedtotherightfulcause，therapidapproachofCorse’sdivision，whicharrivedaboutdark，havingmarchedthewholedistancefromMemphis，twenty—sixmiles，onthedouble—quick。Thenextdaywerepaireddamagestotherailroadandlocomotive，andwentontoCorinth。
AtCorinth，onthe16th，Ireceivedthefollowingimportantdispatches:
MEMPHIS，October14，1863——11a。m。
Arrivedthismorning。Willbeoffinafewhours。MyordersareonlytogotoCairo，andreportfromtherebytelegraph。McPhersonwillbeinCantonto—day。HewillremainthereuntilSundayorMondaynext，andreconnoitreasfareastwardaspossiblewithcavalry，inthemeantime。
U。S。GRANT，Major—General。
WASHINGTON，October14，1863——1p。m。
Major—GeneralW。T。SHERMAN，CorinthYoursofthe10thisreceived。Theimportantmattertobeattendedtoisthatofsupplies。WhenEastportcanbereachedbyboats，theuseoftherailroadcanbedispensedwith;butuntilthattimeitmustbeguardedasfarasneed。TheKentuckyRailroadcanbarelysupplyGeneralRosecrans。Allthesemattersmustbelefttoyourjudgmentascircumstancesmayarise。ShouldtheenemybesostrongastopreventyourgoingtoAthena，orconnectingwithGeneralRosecrans，youwillneverthelesshaveassistedhimgreatlybydrawingawayapartoftheenemy’sforces。
H。W。HALLECK，Major—General。
Onthe18th，withmystaffandasmallescort，IrodeforwardtoBurnsville，andonthe19thtoIuka，where，onthenextday，IwasmostagreeablysurprisedtohearofthearrivalatEastport（onlytenmilesoff）oftwogunboats，underthecommandofCaptainPhelps，whichhadbeensentuptheTennesseeRiverbyAdmiralPorter，tohelpus。
Satisfiedthat，toreachAthensandtocommunicatewithGeneralRosecrans，weshouldhavetotaketheroutenorthoftheTennesseeRiver，onthe24thIorderedtheFourthDivisiontocrossatEastportwiththeaidofthegunboats，andtomovetoFlorence。
Aboutthesametime，IreceivedthegeneralordersassigningGeneralGranttocommandtheMilitaryDivisionoftheMississippi，authorizinghim，onreachingChattanooga，tosupersedeGeneralRosecransbyGeneralGeorgeH。Thomas，withotherandcompleteauthority，asset，forthinthefollowinglettersofGeneralHalleck，whichweresenttomebyGeneralGrant;andthesameordersdevolvedonmethecommandoftheDepartmentandArmyoftheTennessee。
HEADQUARTERSOFTHEARMY
WASHINGTON，D。C。，October16，1863
Major—GeneralU。S。GRANT，Louisville。
GENERAL:YouwillreceiveherewiththeordersofthePresidentoftheUnitedStates，placingyouincommandoftheDepartmentsoftheOhio，Cumberland，andTennessee。Theorganizationofthesedepartmentswillbechangedasyoumaydeemmostpracticable。YouwillimmediatelyproceedtoChattanooga，andrelieveGeneralRosecrans。YoucancommunicatewithGeneralsBurnsideandShermanbytelegraph。Asummaryoftheorderssenttotheseofficerswillbesenttoyouimmediately。ItisleftoptionalwithyoutosupersedeGeneralRosecransbyGeneralG。H。Thomasornot。Anyotherchangeswillbemadeonyourrequestbytelegram。
Oneofthefirstobjectsrequiringyourattentionisthesupplyofyourarmies。AnotheristhesecurityofthepassesintheGeorgiamountains，toshutouttheenemyfromTennesseeandKentucky。YouwillconsultwithGeneralMeigsandColonelScottinregardtotransportationandsupplies。
Shouldcircumstancespermit，Iwillvisityoupersonallyinafewdaysforconsultation。
H。W。HALLECK，General—in—Chief。
HEADQUARTERSOFTHEARMY
WASHINGTON，D。C。，October20，1868。
Major—GeneralGRANT，Louisville。
GENERAL:Incompliancewithmypromise，InowproceedtogiveyouabriefstatementoftheobjectsaimedatbyGeneralRosecransandGeneralBurnside’smovementintoEastTennessee，andofthemeasuresdirectedtobetakentoattaintheseobjects。
Ithasbeentheconstantdesireofthegovernment，fromthebeginningofthewar，torescuetheloyalinhabitantsofEastTennesseefromthehandsoftherebels，whofullyappreciatedtheimportanceofcontinuingtheirholduponthatcountry。InadditiontothelargeamountofagriculturalproductsdrawnfromtheuppervalleyoftheTennessee，theyalsoobtainedironandothermaterialsfromthevicinityofChattanooga。ThepossessionofEastTennesseewouldcutoffoneoftheirmostimportantrailroadcommunications，andthreatentheirmanufactoriesatRome，Atlanta，etc。
WhenGeneralBuellwasorderedintoEastTennesseeinthesummerof1882，Chattanoogawascomparativelyunprotected;butBraggreachedtherebeforeBuell，and，bythreateninghiscommunications，forcedhimtoretreatonNashvilleandLouisville。Again，afterthebattleofPerryville，GeneralBuellwasurgedtopursueBragg’sdefeatedarmy，anddriveitfromEastTennessee。Thesamewasurgeduponhissuccessor，butthelatenessoftheseasonorothercausespreventedfurtheroperationsafterthebattleofStoneRiver。