Sherman, William Tecumseh (1820-1891) to Daniel Butterfield
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03779 Author/Creator: Sherman, William Tecumseh (1820-1891) Place Written: Nashville, Tennessee Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 15 April 1864 Pagination: 4 p. 21 x 13.3 cm Order a Copy
Commander Military Division of the Mississippi Sherman writes to General Butterfield to discuss preparations for the campaign against Atlanta and problems with rail transportation. He also comments on the high quality of General Thomas Hooker's divisions and his expectations for them. Several other union generals are mentioned. Written on printed stationary marked "Head-Quarters Military Division of the Mississippi."
Notes: Written while Sherman prepared for his legendary campaign through Georgia. General Order No. 6 (4 April 1864) restricted use of the railroad to food and ammunition in order to stock supplies for the expedition.
Head-Quarters Military Division of the Mississippi,
Nashville, Tenn., Apl 15,1864
Dear Butterfield:
I received yours from Duck River and also of the 11th instant from Lookout [Mountain]. All the p[o]ints you had named had been attended to as you will partially observe in my General Order No. 6 and the fact that all our cars now run in the Circuit for the Loaded Cars on the new & best but longest road and the Empty cars returning by the old and poor road. I have to use Railroad men, who like all others have their notions & prejudices which have to be consulted. But since my arrival I have increased the [2] daily number of loaded cars from 73 to 115 and hope by persisting & nuging [sic] to get it up to 150 which will fulfill the problem. But time is rapidly passing. I will do my best and when the train comes I'll [illegible] if you have to lie on Pine boxes. When the Military Commanders find that out they will be less anxious to cumber our cars with luggage & our private friends. When the day is named to move I'll move and in the meantime will do my best to get the missing stores. If we can't have forage we must go without, [3] if we have no bread we must go without, and if the Beef cannot be had we can live on the old Carcasses of mules that now ornament the valley.
I have already [illegible] from [Gen. George] Thomas that you are to have a Division in [Gen. Joseph] Hooker's Corps & muster one in [Gen. Oliver O.] Howard's. This is the best we can do. [General Henry] Slocum is named by [Gen.Ulysses S.] Grant to go to Vicksburg. I may want a good General officer at Memphis, but [Gen. Stephen A.] Hurlbut now has the place and his Rank is awkward.
Get your Division in No. 1 order, for we must Expect quick prompt hard work when we start & the Country is Such that much of the fighting will be [4] by Divisions. As soon as I think Commanders have had time to make up their Commands, I will come down to inspect. I will look for yours to be in apple pie order as to Infantry & Artillery. I know our horses are bad but they are the best we have and must answer the purpose. Those of the enemy are no better. Hooker sh[ou]ld have three of the Best fighting Divisions of any Army and I will expect much of him and them. Give him the assurance of my great respect.
Y[ou]r friend,
W. T. Sherman
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