...l W. J. Hardee, who declined, however, the part of permanent commander, to which, after a time, General Joseph E. Johnston was assigned. On his return from Knoxville, General Sherman proposed to General Grant to strike at General Hardee and gain Rome and the line of the Oostenaula. He wrote,--Of course we must fight if Hardee gives us battle, but he will not. Longstreet is off and cannot do harm for a m...