William Boynton, Sherman's Historical Raid

[133] have left with General Thomas, he must be able to take care of Hood and destroy him. I do not see that you can withdraw from where you are to follow Hood without giving up all we have gained in territory. I say, then, go on as you propose.

U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General.

This was the first time that General Grant assented to the March to the Sea, and, although many of his warm friends and admirers insist that he was the author and projector of that march, and that I simply executed his plans, General Grant has never, in my opinion, thought so or said so. The truth is fully given in an original letter of President Lincoln, which I received at Savannah, Georgia, and have at this instant before me, every word of which is in his own familiar handwriting. It is dated:

Washington, D. C., December 26, 1864.

* * * * When you were about leaving Atlanta for the Atlantic coast, I was anxious, if not fearful; but, feeling that you were the better judge, and remembering “nothing risked, nothing gained,” I did not interfere. Now, the undertaking being a success, the honor is all yours; for I believe none of us went further than to acquiesce; and, taking the work of General Thomas into account, as it should be taken, it is indeed a great success. * * * *

A. Lincoln.

Following this, in General Sherman's narrative, is the extract from page 167, given in the opening of this letter. A few brief extracts will close the account:

On the 6th of November, at Kingston, I wrote and telegraphed to General Grant [General Sherman does not give these papers] reviewing the whole situation, gave him my full plan of action, stated that I was ready to march as soon as the election was over, and appointed November 10th as the day for starting. On the 8th I received this dispatch:

City Point, Va., November 7, 1864, 10:30 P. M.
Major-General Sherman.

Your dispatch of this evening received. I see no present reason for changing your plan. Should any arise, you will see it, or if. I do I will inform you. I think every thing here is favorable now. Great good fortune attend you I believe you will be eminently successful, and at worst can only make a march less fruitful of results than hoped for.

U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General.

‘On the 10th of November the movement may be said to have fairly begun.’

The above is a full and fair summary of the account in the Memoirs of the discussion attending Sherman's starting for