Sherman writes about his feud with the Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton. Informs that General Henry Halleck advised him not to reply to Stanton. Because of this, Sherman asks Ewing to keep this letter confidential, especially from the newspapers because he believes that, "No Military officer should write of the events of a Campaign until a year after the Campaign." He goes on to say, "I am satisfied Stanton is a Liar and Coward - for he states things by the merest guess." He expects to be sent to Memphis soon, and expresses his philosophy of fighting the South, " ... to subdue the South there must be the same process of extermination as with the original Indians. Not a man woman or child but would shoot us like wild beasts. I don't abate one hour the time and means necessary to subdue the South." Letter signed "Yr affectionate Brother."