![[CIVIL WAR]. SHERMAN, William T. (1820-1891). Autograph letter signed ("W. T. Sherman") to Gen. George Thomas, Kingston, Tenn., 29 May 1864. 1 page 4to, on stationery of Headquarters of Military Division of the Mississippi. In pencil, and with the notation "In haste" at top left corner.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2005/NYR/2005_NYR_01534_0267_000(102121).jpg?w=1)
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[CIVIL WAR]. SHERMAN, William T. (1820-1891). Autograph letter signed ("W. T. Sherman") to Gen. George Thomas, Kingston, Tenn., 29 May 1864. 1 page 4to, on stationery of Headquarters of Military Division of the Mississippi. In pencil, and with the notation "In haste" at top left corner.
"PRESS DOWN ON THAT FORCE AND ORDER HOOKER THE SAME. IT SHOULD NOT ESCAPE US."
AN URGENT BATTLEFIELD COMMUNICATION DURING THE ATLANTA CAMPAIGN In May 1864, the Union forces were moving in coordinated thrusts, with Grant and Meade pursuing Lee in the Chesapeake, Sheridan moving in the Shenandoah Valley, and William T. Sherman bearing down on Joseph E. Johnston in the deep South. Sherman kept turning Johnston's flank, trying to get him into open, decisive battle, but the Southerner executed an elusive Fabian campaign of escape. There had been skirmishing around Resaca between 13 and 16 May, and now, on the 19th, Sherman urges General Thomas to move against a division of Cheatham's troops, before they could slip over the mountains to Allatoona. "I am satisfied that if there be any force in front of you it is a Division of Cheatham's that staid here last night. It should not escape. Garrard's cavalry is now moving for the Ridge across Stewart with orders to hold it. Press down on that force and order Hooker the same. It should not escape us. McPherson holds his command ready, but you have men enough for lines five miles long. Both Murray and Garrard's cavalry are at the Ridge guarding it from both sides with orders to fire forwards towards the East." The Confederate forces did manage to escape the pincer Sherman tries to close here, slipping away to Allatoona on the night of 19-20 May.
"PRESS DOWN ON THAT FORCE AND ORDER HOOKER THE SAME. IT SHOULD NOT ESCAPE US."
AN URGENT BATTLEFIELD COMMUNICATION DURING THE ATLANTA CAMPAIGN In May 1864, the Union forces were moving in coordinated thrusts, with Grant and Meade pursuing Lee in the Chesapeake, Sheridan moving in the Shenandoah Valley, and William T. Sherman bearing down on Joseph E. Johnston in the deep South. Sherman kept turning Johnston's flank, trying to get him into open, decisive battle, but the Southerner executed an elusive Fabian campaign of escape. There had been skirmishing around Resaca between 13 and 16 May, and now, on the 19th, Sherman urges General Thomas to move against a division of Cheatham's troops, before they could slip over the mountains to Allatoona. "I am satisfied that if there be any force in front of you it is a Division of Cheatham's that staid here last night. It should not escape. Garrard's cavalry is now moving for the Ridge across Stewart with orders to hold it. Press down on that force and order Hooker the same. It should not escape us. McPherson holds his command ready, but you have men enough for lines five miles long. Both Murray and Garrard's cavalry are at the Ridge guarding it from both sides with orders to fire forwards towards the East." The Confederate forces did manage to escape the pincer Sherman tries to close here, slipping away to Allatoona on the night of 19-20 May.