Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-03-17
Especial Correspondence of the Chicago Times
WASHINGTON. March 10


WASHINGTON. March 10
The foreboings expressed in my last letter, of
new disasters i'm store for our arms as the spring
campaign progresses, have been aOundahtly con-
frmed by the total failure of the Sherman expe-
dition in Mississippi Iii understood that Gen.
Grant. who is now here, does not deny that fail
ure. and attributes il to the inability of Sherman
10 keep open aud protect his line of communica
ton. an inability which, he does not hesitate 10
say. is charseabe directly upon the mis- manage
ment OF the War Department here Ii Is under
stood. also that Gen Grant is decidedly opposed
to the conrealmert of the facts in cases of this
kind which he regards childish and weak IN
the last degree. and that in future, so Tar "a hls
influence extends, the country and the relatives
of the slain will not be deceived and kept in the
dark whenever we are so unfortunate as 10 meet
with a repulse
The reports which have been received by the
President and at the War Department in relation
to this unfortunate affair have been studIously
kept from the knowledge of everybody. and es-
pecialy of those who are suspected OF being on
friendly or confidential terms with newspaper
correspondents Nevertheless, il 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
los.
10 be attained Oy lhe presence OF Gen Grant A
the capital am fortunate enough to be able
10 give you tie real ttcts 80 far a. the Genera
himself is concerned You will understand, oil
course, that the objects proposed by Mr. Lincoln
and those which Gen Grant himself has III view
are entirely different Mr. Lincoln and his radi
cal advsers-Sumutr Greeley, Wilkinson, Chan
der Wade aud Wiisou-desire to kill of Gen
Grant and 10 destroy his popularity with th'
people bv compelling 10 occupy Substantially th'
same position a. heretofore held bv Haieck: Il
give him the nominal command OF the forces
but compel him To divulge all his plans, in adj
vance, to the President and then tor the latte
10 interfere with and render all those plans abOr
tive. lust as he interfered with and prevented tia
success of the plans OF Mcclellan, and Just aS n
has interiered with Overruled and defeated ever.
military plan that Halleck ever formed
Gen Grant understands this perfectly Thu
objects he has in view. are substantially the ac-
compiishmeut of the military plans OF Genera
Mcclellan. ts set forth IN the report of the latte
the success of which will require the concentra
ton or our forces and one directing MUD. uu
trammeled by dictation interference. Upol
this Gen Grant will insist In his formal inter
view with the President and Cabinet last even
ing. he said with an emphasis that startled ever
one present, in accepting the COMMISSION O
Lieut. General: With the aid of the whole al
mics that have fought on so many fields. II vii
be my earnest endeavOr not to disappoint the eS
pectations which the country has entertained
Gen Grant will insist on having the control q
'all the armies of the United States, aud upo
being allowed 10 form aud determine upon plan
of campaigns. without interference or dlctriio
from any source whatever. he will lnsis
furthermore. upon being allowed to re
tain these plans within his own breast. with
out divulging them to any one, not even Tn
President He will insist. finally. upo
having at his disposal all the troops that h
deems requisite. and especially upon having al
the facilities in the way Of transportation an
supplies that are necessary. 1t the AdminlStra
ton is wise enough 10 adopt this programme
Gen Grant is satisfied that the military po"t
of the rebellion can he broken. aud the >ouiher
armies defeated and practically annihilated beioi
the ensuing winter: AMI that the military occupa
ton of all the Southern cities aud OF The Who'll
i of the South will he an accomplished fact beioi
tHe end of the wear 1865 But if Mr.. L;ncol
and his radical advisers are disposed 10 hagg
with Gen Grant and to- impose conditions upo
him. the latter will wash his hands ct the vino
business. and will return To the command OF h
army in the West and take the field with the
in person Gen Grant regards the three deiea
winch we hay. alreatv suffered this spring rs tf
legitimate result of the manner in " hlch the W
has been managed heretofore, 10y politicians, an
with political ends in view. and will not be =,
spoons bic for the defeats which must continue
attend that policy, If it i persisted in y.