Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-03-21
nee of the Chicago Times.
WASHINGTON. March 10.

WASHINGTON. March 10
The foreboiings expressed in my last letter, OF
new disasters in store for our arms as the spring
campaign progresses, have been abundantly con
frmed by the total failure of the ShermI expo
diriOn in Mississippi. Ii is understood that Gen.
Grant who is now here. does not deny that fail
ure. and attributes il to the inability of Sherman
to keep open aud protect his line of communities
lion. an inability which, he does not hesitate to
say Is charge BILE directly uLon the mismanage-
ment OF the War Department here 1t is under
Stood also that Gen Grant is decidedly opposed
to the eoncealmrrt of the facts in cases of this
kind which he regards childish an" weak in
the last degree, and that in future, so far "a his
influence extends, the country and the relatives
OF the slain will not be deceived and kept in the
dark whenever we SO unfortunate TO meet
with reDulse.
The reports which have been received bv the
President aud ut the War Department in relation
to this unfortunate affiir have been stu,liously
kept from the knowl ledge OF everybody and es-
peciaily of those who suspected of being ON
friendly or confidential terms with newspaper
correspondents. Nevertheless, it is now known
that these reports are positive and authentic
and that they state in substance that the expedi
ton is not only defeated, but defeated with heavy
loss.
Speculation is rife as regards the objects sought
the capital ] am fortunate enough to he able
10 give you the real facts. so far : tie General
himself is concerned You will understand of
course, that the objects proposed bv Mr. Lincoln
and those which Gen Grant himself has in view
are entirely different Mr. Lincoln and his radi
cal advisers-sumntr Greeley, Wilkinson Chan
dler, Wade and Wilson--de-re to kill off Gen
Grant ami to destroy his popularity with the
people by compelling to occupy Substantially the
L II,
give him the nominal command OF the forces,
but compel him to dvuge all his plans. in adj
vance, To the President. and then tor the latter
To interfere with and render all those plans abr
i've just as he iuterlered with and prevented the
success of the plans of Mcclellan, aud just as he
has iuterlefed With. overrued and defeated every
military plan that Halleck ever formed
Gen. Grant Understands this perfectly The
objects he has in view are substantially the at
complishment Of the military plans of General
Mcclellan as set forth in the report of the latter
tie success of which will require the con enIra-
ton 81 forces and directing mind. un
tramme,ed by dictatOn or interference. Upon
this Gen. Grant will insist. la his formt inter
view with the President and Cabinet last even
lug. he said. with emphasis that startled everv
one present, in accepting the commission Of
Lieut. Generals: with the aid OF the whole ar
mics that have fought m,ny fiells. t will
pectations which the couatry ha, entertained"
Gen. Grant will insist on having the control of
''all the armies" of the Unifei States. and upon
being allowed To form and determine upon plans
OF campaigns, without interference or dictation
from any source whatever. He will insist,
furthermore, upon being allowed TO re
tain these plans within his own breast. with
out diyulging them to any one, not even the
President He will insist. fualys upon
having at his disposal all the troops that he
deems requisite. aud especially upon having all
the facilities in the way of transportation and
supplies that are necessary. If the Administra-
ton is wise enough 10 adopt this progra mme.
Gen. Graut is satisfied that the military power
Of the rebellion can be broken, and the southern
armies defeated and practically annihilated before
the ensuing winter; and that the military occupa-
ton Of all the Southern cities and Of the whole
of the South will be accomplished fact before
the end of the wear 1865 But If Mr. Lincoln.
and his radical advisers are disposed to hsggle
with Gen Grant and TO impose conditions upon
him. the latter viii wash his hands of the whole
business, aud will return to the command OF his
army in the West, aud take the field with them
in person. Gen. Grant regards the three defeats
which We HAYS alretsy suffered this spring the
legitimate result of the manner in which the war
has been managed heretpfore (by politicians, and
with political ends in view. and viii not be re-
sponsbe for the defeats which must continue to
attend that policy, if il is persisted in. X.