Sherman, William Tecumseh (1820-1891) to Henry W. Halleck
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00639.23 Author/Creator: Sherman, William Tecumseh (1820-1891) Place Written: Resaca, Georgia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 17 May 1864 Pagination: 2 p. ; 25.2 x 19.8 cm. Order a Copy
Sherman writes to General Halleck about the Atlanta campaign. He discusses the movements of union generals James B. McPherson, George H. Thomas, and John M. Schofield. Sherman is on his way to Adamsville, Georgia, to engage enemy forces led by Joseph E. Johnston. He discusses potential strategies for this engagement, and his anticipation of taking either Altoona or Rome. Johnston has Confederate generals Hardee, Hood, and Polk in his lines of communication, and a larger cavalry. Although Sherman has abundant supplies and the animals are grazing well, he realizes that bloody battles "such as characterised Grant's terrific struggles" lie ahead. Written from "Headquarters, Military Division of the Mississippi" two days after the Battle of Resaca caused Johnston to retreat.
[struck: Nashville, Tenn.,] [inserted: Resaca] May 17 1864
Genl Halleck
Washington.
Get Capt Merrills map at the Chief Engineers office or I use it in My Dispatches.
Mc Pherson is all across the [struck: River] [inserted: Oostanaula] at Lays ferry and [inserted: is] out abreast of Calhoun - Thomas is across here where we have improvised three [written above the word three: 3] Bridges - and Schofield [struck: will] [inserted: has] passed the Conasauga. at Fites Ferry, and [inserted: will pass] the Coosawattee at or near Field.
Tonight I propose my three Head of Columns to be abreast of Adairsville.
Johnston will be compelled to fight on this side of the Etowah or be forced to divide his [struck: forces] [inserted: army] or give up [inserted: Either] Rome or [struck: Atlanta] [inserted: Alatoona]. If he attempt to hold both I will break the Line at Kingston. If he Concentrates at Kingston I will break his Railroad right & left and fight him Square in front. My belief is [2]
he will abandon Kingston [inserted: & Rome] and retire on Altoona [inserted: beyond the Etowah] in which Case I will fix up my Road to Kingston and then determine in what manner to advance beyond the Etowah.
It will take five days to repair the Railroad Bridge here. We are abundantly supplied, and our animals are improving on the grass and grain fields which now afford good pasture. I start in person now for Adairsville. I think Every thing has progressed and is progressing as favorably as we could Expect. but I know we must have one or more bloody Battles such as have Characterized Grants terrific struggles. Johnston has Hardees Hoods and Polks Corps, with irregulars & Militia on his Lines of Communication
His Cavalry outnumbers ours, but acts on the defensive. W T. Sherman
Majr Gen
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