The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-04-30
CONDUCT OF THE WAR.
INTERESTING LETTERS FROM GENERAL GRANT
AND GENERAL SHERMAN.


AND GENERAL SHERMAN.
The Joint Committee on the Conduct of the
War have just issued their report in an i'm
mense volume, containing reports by Generals
Sherman, Thomas, Pope, and other generals.
The volume contains many documents never
yet published, and among them the following
letters:-
NASHVILLE, Tenn, March 4, lS6I.-Dear Sher-
man:-The bill reviving the grade of lieutenant-
name has been sent to the Senate for the place.
now receive orders to report to Washington
Immediately in person, which indicates either
a confirmation, or a Likelihood of confirmation.
/ start In the morning to comply with the
order, but shall say very distinctly on my
arrival there that l accept no appointment
which will require me to make that city my
headquarters. This, however, is not what
eminenlIy successful in this war, in at least the
confidence of the public, no one feels more than
me how much OF this success Is due to the energy,
skill, and harmonious putting forth of that en-
ergy and skill, of those whom 1t has been my good
fortune to have occupy subordinate nositton
under me. There are many officers TO whom these
remarks are applicable TO greater or less degree.
proportionate to their ability as soldiers. But
what want Is 10 express m my tnanks TO 10 you on
others, 1 feel indebted for whatever have had
of success. How far your advice and sugges-
tions have been of assistance you know. How
far your execution of whatever has been given
you to do entities you TO the reward am re.
ceiving, you cannot know as we'll as me. l feel
all the gratitude this letter would express,
giving the most flattering construction. The
word "you" use in the plural, intending 1t for
Mcpherson also. l should write to him, and
will some day; but, starting in the morning, l
do not know that will find time just now.
Your friend, U. S. GRANT, Major General.
Private and conhdential1
NEAR MEMPHIS, March TO- lS64.-Dear Gene
rail- have your more than kind and charac-
teristic letter of the 4tb. l will send copy to
General Mcpherson at once. You do yourself
injustice and us too much honor, in assigning
TO US so large share OF the merits which nave
a.Af n hfsrh nIX mn nFnn lyFNn NrNtn
approve the friendship l have ever confessed
TO you, and will permit me to continue, as here.
fore, TO manifest it on all proper occasions
You are now Washlngton's legitimate success
sor, and 'cupy position OF almost dangerous
elevation. But II you continue, as here;
! unpretendiug, you will enjoy through
life the respect and love of friends, and the
! homage Of millions of human beings that will
! award to you a large share in securing to them
! and their descendants a government of law
and stability. 1 repeat you do General Nc
! mont you manifested your traits, neither of us
being near.s At Fort Doneson, also, you Illus
| trated your whole character. L was not near,
! and General Mcpherson in too subordinate a
| capacity to influence you. Until you had won
Iible array ofanarchtcal elements that presented
themselves at every point: but that admitted
| the ray of light which have followed since.
believe you are as braXe. patrlotlc, and just az
| the great prototype, Washington; as iunselhsh,
! kind-nearted, andanonest man should be;
but your chief characteristic is the simple faith
| in success you have always manifested, which
| i can nK0n 10 nOJnluR else IMAM Jne lalJn q
! Christian has in q Saviour. This faith gave you
victory at Shiloh and Vicksburg. Also, when
| you have completed your best preparations
! you go into battle without hesitation, as al
| Chattanooga-no doubts, no reserves; and 1 tel
| YOU it was this that made us act with conf
dence. Iknew, whereverI was, that you thought
! of me, and If 1 got in tight place you would
come If alive. My only points of doubt were in
your knowledge of grand strategy and of books
! of science and history; but confess your com
! mon sense seems to have supplied all these
| Now, as to the future. Don't stay in Washing.
| ington. Halleck is better qualified than you tC
| stand the buffets of intrigue and policy. Come
West. Take to yourself the whole Mississippi
| valley. Let us make it dead sure, and tell
you the Atlantic slopes and Pacific shores will
follow its destiny as sure as the limbs of a tree
live or die with the main trunk. We have done
much, but still much remains. Time and times
influences are with us. We could almost afford
| to sit still and let these influences work. Even
| in the seeded States your word would now &c
further than a PresiG ents proclamation, or an
act of Congress. For Gods sake, and your
| country's sake come out of Washington.
| foretold to General Halleck, before he left Cor.
! inth the inevitable result; and l now exhort
| you TO come out West. Here lies the seat of the
| coming empire; and from the West, when ouI
| task is done, we will make short work o
! Charleston, and Richmond, and the lmpove.
! rished coast of the Atlantic.
Your sincere friend, w. L. SHERMAN.
General Grant.