[MANSFIELD, OHIO, September
4, 1864.]
We have just heard of the occupation of Atlanta by your forces,
and that a battle had occurred at West Point, in which Harvie was killed and
our side victorious. This is glorious news, and I sincerely congratulate you on
your part of a campaign remarkable for the difficulties overcome, and for your
skill and energy. As the possession of Atlanta was the ostensible point of your
whole campaign, its possession is a complete triumph, though I suppose it the
beginning of new movements. You will be assisted by the capture of Mobile, and
I hope by the gunboat occupation of the river to Montgomery. From the map I
judge that Atlanta is about equally distant from Augusta and Montgomery, the
occupation of either of which would cut in two the Confederacy. We are looking
for details of your recent movements with anxiety. . . .
The nomination of McClellan makes a closer fight in the
political arena than I hoped. . . .
I believe Lincoln's election necessary to prevent disunion,
and support him with all my might.
SOURCE: Rachel Sherman Thorndike, Editor, The
Sherman Letters: Correspondence Between General and Senator Sherman from 1837
to 1891, p. 239
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