. . . I want all things bent to the following general plan of action for the next three months. Out of the forces now here and at
Atlanta I propose to organize an efficient army of from 60,000 to 65,000 men, with which I propose to destroy
Macon,
Augusta, and, it may be,
Savannah and
Charleston, but I will always keep open the alternatives of the mouth of
Appalachicola and
Mobile.
By this I propose to demonstrate the vulnerability of the
South, and make its inhabitants feel that war and individual ruin are synonymous terms.
To pursue
Hood is folly, for he can twist and turn like a fox and wear out any army in pursuit.
To continue to occupy long lines of railroads simply exposes our small detachments to be picked up in detail, and forces me to make countermarches to protect lines of communication.
I know I am right in this, and shall proceed to its maturity.
As to details, I propose to take
General Howard and his army,
General Schofield and his, and two of your corps, viz.,
Generals Davis and
Slocum. . . . I will send
General Stanley, with the Fourth Corps, across by
Will's Valley and
Caperton's to
Stevenson to report to you. . . . I want you to retain command in
Tennessee, and before starting I will give you delegated authority over
Kentucky,
Mississippi,
Alabama, etc., whereby there will be unity of action behind me. I will want you to hold
Chattanooga and
Decatur in force, and on the occasion of my departure, of which you shall have ample notice, to watch
Hood close.
I think he will follow me, at least with his cavalry, in which event I want you to push south from
Decatur and the head of the
Tennessee for
Columbus, Miss., and
Selma, not absolutely to reach these points, but to divert or pursue according to the state of facts.
If, however,
Hood turns on
