American General by John S.D. Eisenhower

Author:John S.D. Eisenhower
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Group, USA
Published: 2014-09-15T16:00:00+00:00

It is my design, if the enemy keep quiet and allow me to take the initiative in the spring campaign, to work all parts of the army together, and somewhat toward a common centre. For your information I now write you my programme, as at present determined upon. . . .

Summarizing the orders he had issued to other commands, he then turned to Sherman’s mission:

You I propose to move against Johnston’s army, to break it up, and to get into the interior of the enemy’s country as far as you can, inflicting all the damage you can against their war resources.

I do not propose to lay down for you a plan of campaign, but simply to lay down the work it is desirable to have done, and leave you free to execute it in your own way. Submit to me, however, as early as you can, your plan of operations. . . .5

On April 10 Sherman answered in kind. He expressed “infinite satisfaction” with Grant’s letter, and the fact that they were acting on a common plan, converging on a common center, which he described as “enlightened war.” He pledged his cooperation and assured Grant that he would not allow side issues to divert him from his main mission.

As to his own operation, Sherman estimated that it would take him all of April to assemble his furloughed veterans and other groups of absentees,* and to collect provisions and cattle on the line of the Tennessee River. Each of the armies would guard, by detachments of its own, its rear communications.

He then explained his proposed employment of his troops. Schofield, with twelve thousand men, was to drop down to the Hiawassee and march against Johnston’s right. George Stoneman, presently in Kentucky organizing Schofield’s cavalry force, would have about two thousand cavalry with which to protect Schofield’s left flank. Thomas, with forty-five thousand men in the center, was to move straight against Johnston, wherever the Confederate might be. McPherson, with nine divisions of the Army of the Tennessee, would have a full thirty thousand of “the best men in America.”* He would cross the Tennessee River at Decatur and Whitesburg, march toward Rome, and scout around for Thomas. If Johnston fell behind the Coosa River, then McPherson would push for Rome; but if Johnston fell behind the Chattahoochee River, as Sherman believed he would, then McPherson would follow him across and join Thomas.

Much of the message was for Grant’s information only, but Sherman finished up with three important paragraphs that predicted the actions he would take throughout the Georgia campaign:

Should Johnston fall behind the Chattahoochee, I will feign [sic] to the right, but pass to the left and act against Atlanta or its eastern communications, according to developed facts.

This is about as far ahead as I feel disposed to look, but I will ever bear in mind that Johnston is at all times to be kept so busy that he cannot in any event send any part of his command against you or Banks.

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