[Savannah, Georgia,
January 22, 1865.]
I start to-day for the advance of my army at Pocotaligo, but
we have had such storms and rains that the whole country is under water, but we
will be off as soon as possible. No one is more alive to the importance of time
than I am.
I wrote you that I deem it unwise to make another
Lieutenant-General, or to create the rank of General. Let the law stand as now.
I will accept no commission that would tend to create a rivalry with Grant. I
want him to hold what he has earned and got I have all the rank I want. . . .
If you ever hear anybody use my name in connection with a
political office, tell them you know me well enough to assure them that I would
be offended by such association. I would rather be an engineer of a railroad,
than President of the United States, or any political officer. Of military
titles I have now the maximum, and it makes no difference whether that be Major-General
or Marshal. It means the same thing. I have commanded one hundred thousand men
in battle, and on the march, successfully and without confusion, and that is
enough for reputation. Next, I want rest and peace, and they can only be had
through war. You will hear of me, but not from me for some time.
Affectionately your
brother,
W. T. SHERMAN.
SOURCE: Rachel Sherman Thorndike, Editor, The
Sherman Letters: Correspondence Between General and Senator Sherman from 1837
to 1891, p. 245-6
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