HEADQUARTERS OF THE
ARMY,
Washington, December
16, 1864. (Via Hilton Head.)
Major-General SHERMAN:
GENERAL: Lieutenant-General Grant informs me that in his
last dispatch sent to you he suggested the transfer of your infantry to
Richmond. He now wishes me to say that you will retain your entire force, at
least for the present, and with such assistance as may be given you by General
Foster and Admiral Dahlgren, operate from such base as you may establish on the
coast. General Foster will obey such instructions as may be given by you.
Should you have captured Savannah, it is thought that by transferring the water
batteries to the land side, that place may be made a good depot and base for
operations on Augusta, Branchville, or Charleston. If Savannah should not be
captured, or if captured and not deemed suitable for this purpose, perhaps
Beaufort would serve as a depot. As the rebels have probably removed their most
valuable property from Augusta, perhaps Branchville would be the most important
point at which to strike, in order to sever all connection between Virginia and
the Southwestern Railroad. General Grant's wishes, however, are that this whole
matter of your future action should be entirely left to your discretion. We can
send you from here a number of complete batteries of field artillery, with or
without horses, as you may desire. Also, as soon as General Thomas can spare
them, all the fragments, convalescents, and furloughed men of your army. It is
reported that Thomas defeated Hood yesterday near Nashville, but we have no
particulars nor official reports, telegraphic communication being interrupted
by a heavy storm. Our last advices from you was General Howard's note
announcing his approach to Savannah.
Yours, truly,
H. W. HALLECK,
Major-General and
Chief of Staff.
SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of
the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume
44 (Serial No. 92), p. 728-9
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