HEADQUARTERS MILITARY
DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
ACWORTH, GA., 9 June,
1864.
Dear Brother:
It is out of all reason to expect me to write much, and I
know you do not expect it. Were I to attempt narration, it would swell to
unreasonable lengths, and even in my communication to the War Department I must
confine myself almost to generalities. Suffice it to say that General Grant and
I had a perfect understanding, and all things are now as near our calculations
as possible, save and except that the Red River failure has clipped from the
general plan our main feature, a simultaneous attack on Mobile from New
Orleans. But the Red River expedition is out, and I have substituted a smaller
force subject to my own orders, in lieu of the larger one contemplated made up
by General Banks.
. . . . . . . . . .
My long and single line of railroad to my rear, of limited
capacity, is the delicate point of my game, as also the fact that all of
Georgia, except the cleared bottoms, is densely wooded, with few roads, and at
any point an enterprising enemy can, in a few hours with axes and spades, make
across our path formidable works, whilst his sharp-shooters, spies, and scouts,
in the guise of peaceable farmers, can hang around us and kill our wagonmen,
messengers, and couriers. It is a big Indian war; still thus far I have won
four strong positions, advanced a hundred miles, and am in possession of a
large wheat-growing region and all the iron mines and works of Georgia.
Johnston's army is still at my front and can fight or fall back, as he pleases.
The future is uncertain, but I will do all that is possible.
As ever,
Your brother,
W. T. SHERMAN.
SOURCE: Rachel Sherman Thorndike, Editor, The
Sherman Letters: Correspondence Between General and Senator Sherman from 1837
to 1891, p. 235-6
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