William Boynton, Sherman's Historical Raid

Nashville, Tenn., December 12, 1864, 10:30 P. M.
Major-General Halleck, Washington, D. C.

I have the troops ready to make the attack on the enemy as soon as the sleet, which now covers the ground, has melted sufficiently to enable the men to march. The whole country is now covered with a sheet of ice so hard and slippery it is utterly impossible for troops to ascend the slopes, or even move over level ground in any thing like order. It has taken the entire day to place my cavalry in position, and it has only been finally effected with imminent risk and many serious accidents, resulting from the numbers of horses falling with their riders on the road. Under these circumstances, I believe that an attack at this time would only result in a useless sacrifice of life.

Geo. H. Thomas, Major-General U. S. Vols. commanding.

On the 13th of December General Logan, then at City Point, was ordered to proceed to Nashville, and informed by General Grant that he was to take command of the Army of the Cumberland, relieving General Thomas, provided no movement had taken place upon his arrival at Nashville; and, further, that he (Grant) would leave in a few days to assume command of the forces around Nashville and fight a battle.

The order to General Logan was as follows:

headquarters armies of the United States, City Point, Va., December 13, 1864.

[special orders no. 149.]

I. Major-General John A. Logan, United States Volunteers, will proceed immediately to Nashville, Tennessee, reporting by telegraph to the Lieutenant-General his arrival at Louisville, Kentucky, and also his arrival at Nashville, Tennessee. * * * *

By command of Lieutenant-General Grant.

T. S. Bowers, Assistant Adjutant-General.

Washington, December 14, 1864, 12:30 M.
Major-General Geo. H. Thomas, Nashville.

It has been seriously apprehended that while Hood, with a part of his forces, held you in check near Nashville, he would have time to cooperate against other important points, left only partially protected. Hence, Lieutenant-General Grant was anxious that you should attack the rebel forces in your front, and expresses great dissatisfaction that his order has not been carried out. Moreover, so long as Hood occupies a threatening position in