The morning call., 1894-12-22
MARCH To THE SEA-"
What Suggested Shernan's Famous
Trim


General Fullerton's recent lecture on 1.-THE
Battle OF One Hundred and Eighteen Days" Is
receiving great deal of attention. Letters of
inquiry about the statements made are numer-
Gus. a lively interest is manifested In the
question as TO the author of the suggestion Of
the "March TO the Sea-" In conversation to-
DAY General Fullerton went somewhat more
into detail on this point, ana also corrected an
impression which might be drawn from the
condensed report OF his remarks before the
Army and Navy Club. He did not, however.
change in any respect his position taken in the
lecture thai the idea Of the "March to the Sea"
originated elsewhere than with Sherman. In
fact he made the point stronger by citing from
the war records.
THE 4th of September, 1864" said General
Fullerton. Ssh erman got back TO Atlanta, after
abandoning the fight, leaving Hood behind the
earlhworks at LovejOy station. Grant had
ordered Sherman TO attack and break up john
sons army; then to get iuto the interior OF the
eDemy's country and do all possible damage TO
his war resources; not 10 make campaign Tor
or to capture Atlanta. When sherman got
back to Atlanta from L0vejoy he teiegraphed
Halleck proposing that $4,000 OF The newly
drafted men be sent TO him aud 10000 be sent
to Candy. He proposed that he and Candy form
junction at Columbus, Ga.-not at Columbus,
Mlss.-and >that they then make Campaign
eastward toward Macon, Ga. This propo-
Of 50q The apPfRaI6s IN P Records VHp% was
day or two after sending this dispatch
that Thomas asked Sherman to allow him TO
move rapidly 10 Andersonyille. release the
10000 prisoners there and move with them
10 The seacOaSt. Whila he, Sherman. could look
after Hood with the remaining part OF the
army. He said he could aud would accomplish
this humane movement as be cut through the
CoDfederacy. Sherman was startled. He would
not give bis consent. This was, believe. the
first practical proposition made for such q
movement as the March TO the Sea- But
Sherman did not take up this scheme till nearly
a month LATER, October /, after Hood had left
Love1oy station, had moved far TO the west. and
was about TO cross the Tennessee River at
Florence TO go north against Thomas. Hood
thus left Sherman with his army in the rear OF
Atlanta. Thomas, about ten days before this.
had been sent TO Nashville to look after Ten
neSSee.
THE 10th OF September" continued General
Fullerton, general Sherman JelegrapDed TO
General Grant: If could be sure of finding
provisions or ammunition at Augusta or Co
lumbus, Ga, l could march 10 MlliedgeVllle
and compel Hood TO give up Augusta or Macon
and could then turn 10 the other. Ii you can
manage 10 take the Savannah River as high as
Augusta or the Chattanoochee as FAR as Column
bus l can sweep tile whole Stale of Georgia.
Otherwise would risk our whole army by GO
ing too far from Atlanta
Gas late as September 49," said General Full
lertOn, "he also telegraDhed TO General Grant
that he had sent General Thomas back ito look
TO Tennessee and that he thought II better 10
bold on 10 Atlanta and stTengl hen my rear
LAS late as the 9Th OF November sherman, in
a letter 10 Grant, commenting on this proposed
movement, said, among other things, that the
march across Georgia to Savannah may not be
war. bur rather craftsmanship in that 1t
would show foreigners the weakness OF the
COnfederacy. General Grant had teegraphed
him November 1, asking him If he did not
think 1t advisable, now hat Hood bad gone so
far north, TO entirely settle him before starting
on your proposed campaign. With Hoods
army destroyed, you can so where you please
with impuntty.'
THE battlefield OF 135 miles, on which was
fought this battle Of 118 days" said General
Fullerton in conclusion, extended from Tun-
mel hill to LovejOy station, which Is thirty miles
south of Atlanta. There is one other thing
might mention. When you are dealing in war
history 1t is well to be accurate. That snow
sat in. wrapped with blanket while my
orderly boiled the only clothes l had during
that East Tennessee campaign, was TWO inches,
not two feet, deep. And under the circum-
stances l thought there was quite enough of 1t
for an army sent up there TO live on the
country "-WasniDgton letter TO st. Louis
Globe-Democrat.