William Boynton, Sherman's Historical Raid

[196] and thankfulness for the great deeds which you have already performed, or more confiding faith that human effort could do no more, and no more than will be done by you and the accomplished and gallant officers and soldiers of your command.

E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War.

On the same day General Grant telegraphed:

City Point, December 22, 1864.
Major-General Geo. H. Thomas.

You have the congratulations of the public for the energy with which you are pushing Hood. I hope you will succeed in reaching his pontoon bridge at Tuscumbia before he gets there. Should you do so, it looks to me that Hood is cut off. If you succeed in destroying Hood's army, there will be but one army left to the so-called Confederacy, capable of doing us harm. I will take care of that, and try to draw the sting from it, so that in the Spring we shall have easy sailing. You have now a big opportunity, which I know you are availing yourself of. Let us push and do all we can before the enemy can derive benefit, either from the raising of negro troops on the plantations or white troops now in the field.

U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General.

Two dispatches properly close this correspondence:

War Department, December 24, 1864.
Major-General Thomas, Nashville.

With great pleasure I inform you that for your skill, courage, and conduct in the recent brilliant military operations under your command, the President has directed your nomination to be sent to the Senate as a Major-General in the United States Army, to fill the only vacancy existing in that grade. No official duty has been performed by me with more satisfaction, and no commander has more justly earned promotion by devoted, disinterested, and valuable services to his country.

Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War.

To which General Thomas, then in the field directing the pursuit of Hood, replied:

headquarters Department of the Cumberland, McKANES' Church, Tenn.
Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War.

I am profoundly sensible of the kind expressions of your telegram of December 24th, informing me that the President had directed my name to be sent to the Senate for confirmation as Major-General United States Army, and beg to assure the President and yourself, that your approval of my services is of more value to me than the commission itself.

Geo. H. Thomas, Major-General commanding.