Details
SHERMAN, WILLIAM TECUMSEH, Major General. Autograph letter signed ("W.T. Sherman Lt. Genl.") TO GENERAL ULYSSES S. GRANT, "Hd. Qrs. Dept. of the Tenn., Steamboat Silver Cloud," l9 January 1864. 4 pages, 4to, minor browning at folds on page 4.
ADVANCE PLANS FOR THE ATLANTA CAMPAIGN
A fine letter in which Sherman reports to the commander on the situation, number and disposition of his and the Confederate Army's forces and suggests strategy for the Spring campaigns. "Dear General, I am now on my return to Memphis which I shall reach tomorrow...and if I find all things as I expect shall start all hands by the 25th. The River is now clear of ice this far up and we hope to find none this side of Memphis, but the water is from 12 to 20 feet lower than it was at same period last year and therefore the to ascend Red River will be impossible. but the other trip will do more for our Dept. and your Army [the Army of the Potomac] & therefore I do not regret it. The Guerillas seem to let the Boats pass unmolested and so long as they do we can afford to encourage the People to reoccupy their lands and resume their industrial pursuits.
"I found Gen. McPherson in fine health his troops in like condition only 4 percent on the Sick Report, he has 21000 effective men, so that he can take with him 10000 and leave Vicksburg and Natchez, the only points in his District filled with stationery artillery safe against any probable danger. As near as I can ascertain Genl. Polk[s] command at Meridian with [William Wing] Loring at Canton, his Division has not over 8000 - conscripts at Brandon's Enterprise. [Nathan Bedford] Forrest has North Mississippi and not over 2500 irregular Cavalry, - [George Blake] Cosby's & [John Wilkins] Whitfield's Brigades are still watching on their old ground from Yazoo City via Brownsville, Canton, Jackson, Brandon to Port Gibson, a thin line of guard to prevent intercourse with Vicksburg. - [Thomas Muldrup] Logan's old command now commanded by [William] Wirt Adams is down behind Port Hudson & Baton Rouge doubtless to prevent the People from becoming too familiar with the Yankees. I have one of my best Memphis forward spies out who will be back in time to let me know all we want.
"I observe you were right in your contention that Longstreet would be reinforced in East Tennessee 7 make a struggle for that Mountain Region. [Henry Wager] Halleck should compel a movement in North Carolina on Weldon & Raleigh if possible which would in connection with active demonstrations against the Alabama border force the Enemy to call back the reinforcements or to allow those valuable districts to be overrun by us. If we could draw all of Lee's Army into East Tennessee they would be bound to go ahead or fall back. The Mountains on either flank will restrict their Line to the Railroad and the army which is on the defensive has the advantage.
"I will write to Logan & Dodge to hurry the Railroad & try to be there in all February. The fortifications of Vicksburg are nearly done. The redoubt at Mrs. Lewis house being the only one incomplete. McPherson telle me those of Natchez are equally advanced...." In a postscript Sherman adds: "Boat trembles and my writing is more illegible than ever."
check Memoirs
ADVANCE PLANS FOR THE ATLANTA CAMPAIGN
A fine letter in which Sherman reports to the commander on the situation, number and disposition of his and the Confederate Army's forces and suggests strategy for the Spring campaigns. "Dear General, I am now on my return to Memphis which I shall reach tomorrow...and if I find all things as I expect shall start all hands by the 25th. The River is now clear of ice this far up and we hope to find none this side of Memphis, but the water is from 12 to 20 feet lower than it was at same period last year and therefore the to ascend Red River will be impossible. but the other trip will do more for our Dept. and your Army [the Army of the Potomac] & therefore I do not regret it. The Guerillas seem to let the Boats pass unmolested and so long as they do we can afford to encourage the People to reoccupy their lands and resume their industrial pursuits.
"I found Gen. McPherson in fine health his troops in like condition only 4 percent on the Sick Report, he has 21000 effective men, so that he can take with him 10000 and leave Vicksburg and Natchez, the only points in his District filled with stationery artillery safe against any probable danger. As near as I can ascertain Genl. Polk[s] command at Meridian with [William Wing] Loring at Canton, his Division has not over 8000 - conscripts at Brandon's Enterprise. [Nathan Bedford] Forrest has North Mississippi and not over 2500 irregular Cavalry, - [George Blake] Cosby's & [John Wilkins] Whitfield's Brigades are still watching on their old ground from Yazoo City via Brownsville, Canton, Jackson, Brandon to Port Gibson, a thin line of guard to prevent intercourse with Vicksburg. - [Thomas Muldrup] Logan's old command now commanded by [William] Wirt Adams is down behind Port Hudson & Baton Rouge doubtless to prevent the People from becoming too familiar with the Yankees. I have one of my best Memphis forward spies out who will be back in time to let me know all we want.
"I observe you were right in your contention that Longstreet would be reinforced in East Tennessee 7 make a struggle for that Mountain Region. [Henry Wager] Halleck should compel a movement in North Carolina on Weldon & Raleigh if possible which would in connection with active demonstrations against the Alabama border force the Enemy to call back the reinforcements or to allow those valuable districts to be overrun by us. If we could draw all of Lee's Army into East Tennessee they would be bound to go ahead or fall back. The Mountains on either flank will restrict their Line to the Railroad and the army which is on the defensive has the advantage.
"I will write to Logan & Dodge to hurry the Railroad & try to be there in all February. The fortifications of Vicksburg are nearly done. The redoubt at Mrs. Lewis house being the only one incomplete. McPherson telle me those of Natchez are equally advanced...." In a postscript Sherman adds: "Boat trembles and my writing is more illegible than ever."
check Memoirs