HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field, Summerville, Ga., October 20, 1864.
Major-General
THOMAS,
Commanding Department of the Cumberland:
GENERAL: I think I
have thought over the whole field of the future, and being now authorized to
act, I want all things bent to the following general plan of action for the
next three months: Out of the forces now here and at Atlanta I propose to
organize an efficient army of from 60,000 to 65,000 men, with which I propose
to destroy Macon, Augusta, and, it may be, Savannah and Charleston, but I will
always keep open the alternatives of the mouth of Appalachicola and Mobile. By this
I propose to demonstrate the vulnerability of the South, and make its
inhabitants feel that war and individual ruin are synonymous terms. To pursue
Hood is folly, for he can twist and turn like a fox and wear out any army in
pursuit. To continue to occupy long lines of railroads simply exposes our small
detachments to be picked up in detail and forces me to make countermarches to
protect lines of communication. I know I am right in this and shall proceed to
its maturity. As to details, I propose to take General Howard and his army,
General Schofield and his, and two of your corps, viz, Generals Davis and
Slocum. I propose to remain along the Coosa watching Hood until all my
preparations are made, viz, until I have repaired the railroad, sent back all
surplus men and material, and stripped for the work. Then I will send General
Stanley, with the Fourth Corps, across by Will's Valley and Caperton's to
Stevenson to report to you. If you send me 5,000 or 6,000 new conscripts I may
also send back one of General Slocum's or Davis' divisions, but I prefer to
maintain organizations. I want you to retain command in Tennessee, and before
starting I will give you delegated authority over Kentucky, Mississippi,
Alabama, &c., whereby there will be unity of action behind me. I will want you
to hold Chattanooga and Decatur in force, and on the occasion of my departure,
of which you shall have ample notice, to watch Hood close. I think he will
follow me, at least with his cavalry, in which event I want you to push south
from Decatur and the head of the Tennessee for Columbus, Miss., and Selma, not
absolutely to reach these points, but to divert or pursue according to the
state of facts. If, however, Hood turns on you, you must act defensively on the
line of the Tennessee. I will ask, and you may also urge, that at the same time
Canby act vigorously up the Alabama River. I do not fear that the Southern army
will again make a lodgment on the Mississippi, for past events demonstrate how
rapidly armies can be raised in the Northwest on that question and how easily
handled and supplied. The only hope of a Southern success is in the remote
regions difficult of access. We have now a good entering wedge and should drive
it home. It will take some time to complete these details, and I hope to hear
from you in the mean time. We must preserve a large amount of secrecy, and I
may actually change the ultimate point of arrival, but not the main object.
I am, &c.,
W. T. SHERMAN,
Major-General, Commanding.
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. 377-8
