Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1867-05-10

NASHVILLE, Tenn, March 4, 1864.

NASHVILLE, ienn., Marcn 4, loof.
Dear Sherman The bill reviving the
grade of lieutenant general in the army
has become law, and my names has been
sent 10 the Senate for the place. now
receive orders to report 10 Washington
Immediately in person, which indicates
either confirmation or likelihood Of con-
lirmation. / start in the morning to COM
ply with the order, but | shall say very
distinctly on my arrival there that accept
no appointment which will require me to
make that city my headquarters. This,
however, is not what started out TO write
about. While ! have been eminently sue
cessful in This war, in a, least the conf
dence 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 energy ard skill, of those whom il
has been my good fortune to have occupy
a subordinate position under me. There
are many officers to whom these remarks
are applicable to greater or less degree,
proporiionate to their ability as soldiers.
But what want is to express my thanks
to you aud Mcpherson, as the men to
whom, above all others, feel indebted for
whatever have had Of success. How far
your advice and suggestions have been ct
assistance you know. How far your exc
cution of whatever has been given you TO
do entities you to the reward am receiv-
ing you cannot know as well as me. | feel
all the gratitude this letter would express
giving it the most flattering construction.
The word you" | use in the plural, in
tending it for Mcpherson also. l should
write to him, and will some day, but start
ing in the morning, do not know that /
will find time just now. Your friend,
U. S. GRANT, Maj. Gen.
private and confdentiaD
NEAR MEMPHIS, March TO- 1864.
Dear General: ! have your more than
kind and characteristic letter of the 4th.
will send copy to Gen. Mcpherson at
once. You do yourself injustice, and us
too much honor, in assigning to us so large
a share of the merits that have led to your
high advancement. know you approve
the friendship have ever confessed TO you,
and will permit me 10 continue, as hereto
fore, TO manifest it on all proper occasions.
You are now Washington's legitimate sue
cessor, and occupy position of almost
dangerous elevation. But if you continue,
as heretofore, to be yourself, simple, honest
and unprelendiDg, you will enjoy through
life the respect and love of friends and the
homage of millions of human beings that
will award you large share in securing
to them and their defendants a govern
ment OF law and stability. ! repeat, you
do Gen. MCPHERSON and myself too much
honor. AT Belmont you manifested your
traits, neither of US being near. At Fort
Donelson also, you illustrated your whole
character. was not near and Gen. Nc
Pherson in too subordinate capacity to
influence you. Until you had won Donel-
son confess was almost cowed by the
terrible array Of anarchial elements that
presented themselves at every point but
that admitted the ray Of light ! have fol-
lowed since. believe you are as brave,
patriotic and just as the great prototype,
Washington; as nnselfsh, kind-hearted and
honest, as man should be; but your chief
characteristic is the simple faith 10 success
you have always manifested, which ! can
liken TO nothing else than the faith Chris
tian has in Saviour. This faith gave
you the victory at Shiloah and Vicksburg.
Also when you have completed your best
preparations you go into battle without
hesitation, as at Chattanooga-no doubts,
no reserves; and | tell you it was this that
made US act with confidence. / knew,
wherever l was, that you thought of me,
and if | got in tight place, you would
con if alive. My only points of doubt
were in your knowledge of grand strategy
and of books Of science and history but
confess your common sense seems to have
supplied all that Now, as to the future.
Don't stay in Washington. Halleck is
better qualified than you to stand the buff
fets of intrigue and policy. Come West.
Take to yourself the whole Mississippi val
ley. Let Us make it dead sure, and tell
yon the Atlantic slopes and Pacific shores
will follow IFS destiny as sure as the limbs
of a tree live or die with the main trunk.
We have done much, but still much re-
mains. Time and times Influence are
with US. We could almost afford to sit
still and let these influences work. Even
in the seeded states your word would now
60 further than presidents proclamat ion
or an act Of Congress. For Gods sake,
and your country's sake, come out. of
Washington. foretold to general Hal
leck, before he left Corinth, the inevitable