The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-08-26

lations in the least. I wcnid make the same
exertions 10 support you that you have evel
done to support me, and would do all In ny
power to make our cause win.
Yours truly,
Z. S. GRANT. Lieutenant Genera
HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED I
STATES, CRY PoINT, Va, Jan. 81, 1865. !
Mai Gen. G. III. Thomas, commanding Army
of the Cumberland.
GENERAL: With this send you letter from
Gen. Sherman. At the time of writing it, Gen
Sherman was not informed of the depletion oi
your command by my orders. 1t will be i'm
possible at present for you to move south as he
contemplated, with the force Of infantry indi-
Gated.
Gen. Slocum is advised before this Of the
changes made and that for the Winter you viii
be on the defensive. think, however an exre-
dition from East Tennessee, under Gen. Stone
man. might penetrate Soeth Carolina, well
down toward Columbia, destroying the railroad
aud military resources OF the country. thus
visiting portion Of the State which will not
be reached by Shermaa's forces. He might
also be able TO return to East Tennessee by way
of Salisbury, \. c., thus releasing some of our
prisoners of war in rebel hands.
OF the practicabiity of doing this Gen. Stone
man will have to be the Judge, making mp his
mind from information obtained while execat-
ing the first part of his instructions. Sher-
mans movements will attract the attention OF
all the force the enemy can collect, thus tacili-
tating the execution Of this.
Three thousand cavalry would be sufficient
force TO take This probably can be raised in
the old Departmental the Ohio without taking
any now under Gen. Wilson. Itwould require.
though, the reorganization of the two regi-
ments of Kentucky cavalry which Stoneman
had in his very successful raid inte south
western Virginia.
1t will be necessary, probably, for you to
send, in addition TO the force now in East Ten
nessee a small division of infantry, TO enable
Gen. Gillem to hold the upper end of Holston
Valley, and the mountain, passes IN rear OF
Stevenson.
You may order such an expedition. To save
time will send copy of this to Gen. Stone
man, so that he can begin his preparations
without loss of time, and can commence his
correspondence with you as to these prepare
tiens
As this expedition goes 10 destroy and not to
fight battles, but to avoid them when practi-
cable, particularly against anything like equal
forces, or where no great object is to be gained,
il should go light as possible. Stoneman's
experience in ra1ding will teach him in this
matter better than he can be directed.
Let there be no delay in the preparations for
this expedition, and keep me advised Of its
progress.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
L. S. GRANT, Lieutenant General.
HEADQ'Rs ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES,
CITY PoINT. Va, Jan. 81, 1865
Mej.-Gen. J. NJ. SCHoFIELD, commanding Army
of the Ohio.
GENERAL: / have requested by telegraph
that, for present purposes North Carolina be
erected into Department, and that you be
placed in command of it, subject to Maj.-Gen.
Sherman's orders. OF course. you will receive
orders from me direct until such time as Gen.
Sherman gets within communicating distance of
you. This obviates the necessity OF my pub
fishing the order which informed you would
meet you at Fortress Monroe. If the order
ferred to should not he published from the
Adjutant-General's Office, you will read these
instructions your authority to assume COM
mand Of all the troops in North Carolina. dat
ing all Official communications, Headquarters
Army of the Ohio" Your headquarters will
be in the field, aud with the portion of the
army where you feel yourself most needed. In
the first move you will go to Cape Fear River.
Your movements are intended as eo-opera-
tive with Sherman's movement through the
States of South and North Carolina. The first
point TO be obtained is TO secure Wilmington.
Goldsboro' will then be your objective point,
moving either from Wilmington or Newbern,
or both, as you may deem best Should you not
be able TO reach Goldsboro', you will advance on
the line or lines of railway connecting that
place with the sea-coast, as near to it as you
can, building the road behind you.
The enterprise under You has two objects
The first is, to give Gen. Sherman material aid,
If needed, in his march north; the second, to
open base of supplies for him on the line of
his march. As soon, therefore, as you can d1ter-
mine which OF the two points, Wilmington or
Newbern, you can best use Tor throwing sup
plies from TO the interior, you will commence
n y
for 10000 men and 10000 animals. You will
get of these as many as you can house aud pro-
tect. to such point in the interior as you may
be able TO occupy.
believe Gen. Innis n. Palmer has received
some instructions directly from Gen. Sherman,
on the subject of securing supplies for his army.
You can learn what steps he has taken, aud be
governed in your requisiiions accordingly. A
supply Of ordnance-stores. will also be neees-
sary.
Make all your acquisitions upon the chiefs of
their respective Departments in the field with
me at City Point. Communicate with me by
every opportunity, and should you deem it
necessary at any time send special boat to
Fortress Monroe from which point you can
communicate by telegraph.
The supplies referred TO in these instructions
are exclusive OF those required by your own
command.
The movements of the enemy may Justify
you, or even make 1t your imperative duty, to
cut loose from your base aud strike for the
interior, TO aid Sherman. In such case you
will act on your own judgment without wait
ing for instructions. You will report, however,
What you propose doing The details for carry
ing out these instructions are necessarily left
70 you. i would urge however, if did not
know thatyo are already fully alive to the i'm
poriance OF ii, prompt action. Sherman may
be looked for in the nigh hborhood of Goldsboro'
any time from the 22d to the 2sth Of February
This Limits your time very materially.
If roliing-stock is not secured in the capture
OF Wilmington. it can be supplied from Wash
ington. large force of railroad-men has
already been sent TO Beaufort, and other me-
chanics will go TO Fort Fisher in day or two.
On this point have informed you by tele-
graph.
Very respectfully. your obedient servant,
L. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-Gcnersl.
HEkDQ'Fs ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES.
CITY PoIST, Va, March I6. 1866.
Maj Gen. w. I. SHERMAN. commanding Mill
tary Division of the Mississippi.
GENERAL: Your interesting letter of the
18th inst. is just received. j have never felt
any uneasiness for your safety, but have felt
great anxiety to know just how you were pro-
crossing. j knew, or thought did. that, with
the magnificent army with you, you would