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Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891 to Henry W. Halleck

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00639.23 Author/Creator: Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891 Place Written: Resaca, Georgia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: May 17, 1864 Pagination: 2 p. : Height: 25.2 cm, Width: 19.8 cm Order a Copy

Sherman writes to General Halleck about the Atlanta campaign. He discusses the movements of Union generals James B. McPherson, George H. Thomas, and John M. Schofield. Sherman is on his way to Adamsville, Georgia, to engage enemy forces led by Joseph E. Johnston. He discusses potential strategies for this engagement, and his anticipation of taking either Altoona or Rome. Johnston has Confederate generals Hardee, Hood, and Polk in his lines of communication, and a larger cavalry. Although Sherman has abundant supplies and the animals are grazing well, he realizes that bloody battles "such as characterised Grant's terrific struggles" lie ahead. Letter written from "Headquarters, Military Division of the Mississippi" two days after the Battle of Resaca caused Johnston to retreat.

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891
Halleck, Henry Wager, 1815-1872
McPherson, James Birdseye, 1828-1864
Thomas, George Henry, 1816-1870
Schofield, John McAllister, 1831-1906
Johnston, Joseph E. (Joseph Eggleston), 1807-1891
Hardee, William Joseph, 1815-1873
Hood, John Bell, 1831-1879
Polk, Leonidas, 1806-1864

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