Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1867-07-19
Grants Plan for the Campaign Of
1864.

A writer in Harper's for July, who Cos
sips about our generals, tells some good
stories Of Grant, Sherman, Howard Mitch
81, Steedman and Nelson-amoug them
the fcilowing:
With all his quiet rcservedness Grant
is not always taciturn. He can talk
enough and well enough when it is nee
esssary. He is not by any means con-
fiding; he does not tell everybody his
intentions, his purposes, his unfinished
plans; he seldom asks advice upon plans
merely outlined but when he has de-
cided in his own mind, and explanation to
others is necessary, he can be very fluent
of speech. All Of Grants letters of in
structions to his commanders have been
noticeable for their completeness, their
quiet, conversational tone, and the absence
of any rhetorical display in style or boast
ing in manner. particularly remember
the easy and familiar style Of his secret
instructions for the battle Of Chattanooga:
they read more like pleasant letter from
one friend to another discussing domestic
affairs, rather than the commander-in
chiefs circular ordering the grand move
ments Of an important battle. Shortly
after he had been appointed lieutenant
general, and before he had actually re-
ceiyed his commission. but after he had
been told what would be expected of him
General Grant was the host of Generals
Hooker, Howard and Geary, and one or
two of their staff officers, who had been
invited to dinner at his headquarters.
After the meal and while host and guests
were enjoying their cigars, the former
taking down his map remarked to How
ard, meaning his remarks for all
"General, have / shown to you what l
propose to do as ommander-in-chief?
Howard, Hooker, and Geary gathered
about Grant IS he spread out his map on
the table, and began to explain what he
had decided upon for the campaign of
1864.
"The main efforts will have TO be made
in Virginia and Georgia. as matter OF
course, since the powers-that is, the ar
mics Of the Confederacy-are there.
Sherman is at Chattanooga and Knox
vile; we shall have to reinforce him, give
him an overwhelming force, and let him
move toward Atlanta. OF course he will
meet with serious opposition, but we shall
keep him well supplied with men-draft-
ing will be necessary. perhaps--he must
have men, of course he will keep batter
ing away, and some time during the sum.
mer he will get to Atlanta. In the mean
time Meade will be strengthened-we
must see that all the men we can spare
shall be in the field-and he will push
Lee. Both Johnston and Lee will be kept
busy, and neither will be able to reinforce
the other. Meade will drive Lee, and
about the time Sherman gets to Atlanta
Meade will haYe arrived in the vicinity o.
Richmond II hope in Richmond. But as
the occupation of Richmond and Atlantis
won't end the war, we shall have to push
on after the armies. Sherman at Atlanta
with one hundred thousand men can drive
Johnston further-follow him to the sea
if necessary. The destruction of the
Georgia railroads will materially affec
the armies in Virginia and the Carolinas
Sherman will push on to the sea and force
Johnston into South Carolina at the same
time that Meade will have forced Lee into
North Carolina, and then we shall have
the Confederacy narrowed down to rea
sonable limits, In the meantime | mean
to send large corps of cavalry west o.
Sherman, and effectually prevent Kirby
Smith from joining Johnston, and at thu
same time destroy what stores the rebel
have in the Southwest. This we shall
have accomplished before winter sets in
and then we can determine what is mex
to be done. How do you like the genera
plan?"-
Il have not tried to give the General
exact language, but its import. This pla
in its general featu. es, was decided upo
and thus announced by Grant within
fortnight after he had received notice {
his appointment as acknowledgement
and upon this plan the campaign of 1876
was subsequently, carried out
Gen. SheYidan's Early Career.
Mr.. John Talbot. Of the Robinson Gil