CITY POINT, VA., October 13, 1864 — 3.30 p.m.
(Received 6 p.m.)
Hon. EDWIN M.
STANTON,
Secretary of War:
On mature
reflection, I believe Sherman's proposition is the best that can be adopted.
With the long line of railroad in rear of Atlanta Sherman cannot maintain his
position. If he cuts loose, destroying the road from Chattanooga forward, he
leaves a wide and destitute country to pass over before reaching territory now
held by us. Thomas could retain force enough to meet Hood by giving up the road
from Nashville to Decatur and thence to Stevenson and leave Sherman still force
enough to meet Hood's army if it took the other and most likely course. Such an
army as Sherman has (and with such a commander) is hard to corner or capture.
U.S. GRANT,
Lieutenant-General.
(Copy sent from
Washington to General Thomas October 14.)
SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of
the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume
39, Part 3 (Serial No. 79), p. 239
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