Sherman, William Tecumseh (1820-1891) to Edwin M. Stanton
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06023 Author/Creator: Sherman, William Tecumseh (1820-1891) Place Written: Kingston, Georgia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 23 May 1864 Pagination: 2 p. ; 25.1 x 19.8 cm. Order a Copy
Written prior to the campaign for New Hope Church, Georgia as General Sherman maneuvered around General Joseph E. Johnston's left flank. Sherman reports to Stanton that he will speak to the Governors as requested. He will continue to telegraph daily the results of his conquests. Comments that Ulysses S. Grant's work impressed the Virginians, "with the knowledge that the Yankees will fight them fair and square...must precede all main advantages of strategic movements." This contrasts with his efforts in Georgia, where "the enemy knows we can and will fight like the Devil, & therefore, we maneuver for advantage of ground."
Kingston, Georgia May 23, 1864
Hon. E.M. Stanton
Sec of War,
At your suggestion I will address a few words to the Governors named, merely asking them to cover our communications whilst we are in the heart of Georgia. I want every man in the Service of the U. S. in my command to be doing something now. I will continue as heretofore, [inserted: to] telegraph [instructed: daily] to Gen Halleck and wish Gen Grant to know promptly, the substance. I have understated the results of our conquests thus far in prisoners, guns, muskets and material, but the exact figures will reach the Department in time.
If Grant can sustain the confidence, the esprit, the pluck of his Army & impress the Virginians with the knowledge that the Yankees can & will fight [inserted: them] fair and square, he will do more [inserted: good] than to capture Richmond on any strategic advantage. This moral result must precede all main advantages of strategic movements and this is what Grant is doing.
Out here, the enemy knows we can and will fight like the devil & therefore, we maneuver for advantage of ground.
William T. Sherman
Maj Genl.
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