MEMPHIS, September 12,
1862.
. . . My predictions of last fall are not much wide of the
truth now. The southern leaders don't wait till the time comes, they prepare
beforehand. The whole of last year has been consumed by them in preparation,
and now they have a larger army and as well armed as we have. I still don't see
the issue of events, but surely we must do more than brag or else the South
will carry the war into Africa. I see the people have made a clear sacrifice of
Pope and McDowell, and are now content with having killed two of their own
generals. This is a glorious war! With thousands of armed enemies now in the
loyal states of Kentucky and Maryland the people are content to kill Pope and
McDowell. Well, it may be all right, but I would advise a different course.
Instead of thinking of us away to the front, they think of themselves. . . .
SOURCES: M. A. DeWolfe Howe, Editor, Home Letters of
General Sherman, p. 233. A full copy of this letter can be
found in the William
T Sherman Family papers (SHR), University of Notre Dame Archives
(UNDA), Notre Dame, IN 46556, Folder CSHR 1/148.
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