IN THE FIELD,
FAYETTEVILLE, N. C.,
Sunday, March 12,
1865.
We reached this place yesterday in good health and
condition. We have had bad roads and weather but made good progress, and have
achieved all I aimed to accomplish. Our main columns came through Columbia and
Cheraw, South Carolina. We have had no general battle, and only skirmishes on
the skirts of the army. The enemy gave ground when I moved in force. The
importance of this march exceeds that from Atlanta to Savannah. South Carolina
has had a visit from the West that will cure her of her pride and boasting. I
sent couriers to Wilmington and a tug boat got up this morning, and I will
start her back at 6 P. M. with despatches to Grant, the Secretary of War, and
all my subordinate commanders. I do not intend to go to the sea shore, but will
move on. I have no doubt you have all been uneasy on our account, but barring
bad weather and mud we have had no trouble. . . .
The same brags and boasts are kept up, but when I reach the
path where the lion crouched I find him slinking away. My army is in the same
condition as before, and seems to possess abiding confidence in its officers.
It would amuse you to hear their comments on me as I ride along the ranks, but
I hope you will hear the jokes and fun of war at a fitter time for amusement.
Now it is too serious. I think we are bringing matters to an issue. Johnston is
restored to the supreme command and will unite the forces hitherto scattered
and fight me about Raleigh or Goldsboro. Lee may reinforce him from Richmond,
but if he attempts that Grant will pitch in. I can whip Joe Johnston unless his
men fight better than they have since I left Savannah.
As I rode into Columbia crowds gathered round me, composed
of refugees and many officers who had escaped their prison guards and hid
themselves. One of them handed me the enclosed1 which is so
handsomely got up that I deem it worthy of preservation. I want Lizzie to keep
it. The versification is good, and I am told the music to which the prisoners
set and sung it is equally so. I have never heard it sung, as the officers who
composed the Glee Club in their prison at Columbia were not of the number who
did escape. The author did escape and he is the one I have appointed to carry
my despatches down to Wilmington tonight.
I expect to stay here a few days in hopes to receive some
bread and shoes from Wilmington. The river is now high and easily navigated,
and had I time I should have no trouble in getting supplies up, but time is so
important that I must “Forward.” . . .
It is now 2 P. M. and I have written ten letters of four
pages each, orders and instructions to my commanders on the seaboard. . . .
__________
1 A copy of "Sherman's March to the Sea," by Major S. H. M. Byers, later U. S. Consul-General to Italy and
Switzerland.
SOURCES: M. A. DeWolfe Howe, Editor, Home Letters of
General Sherman, p. 332-3. 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 2/21
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