A short time before leaving Corinth I rode from my camp to General Halleck’s headquarters, then in tents just outside of the town, where we sat and gossiped for some time, when he mentioned to me casually that General Grant was going away the next morning.  I inquired the cause, and he said that he did not know, but that Grant had applied for a thirty days’ leave, which had been given him.  Of course we all knew that he was chafing under the slights of his anomalous position, and I determined to see him on my way back.  His camp was a short distance off the Monterey road, in the woods, and consisted of four or five tents, with a sapling railing around the front.  As I rode up, Majors Rawlins, Lagow, and Hilyer, were in front of the camp, and piled up near them were the usual office and camp chests, all ready for a start in the morning.  I inquired for the general, and was shown to his tent, where I found him seated on a camp-stool, with papers on a rude camp-table; he seemed to be employed in assorting letters, and tying them up with red tape into convenient bundles.  After passing the usual compliments, I inquired if it were true that he was going away.  He said, “Yes.”  I then inquired the reason, and he said “Sherman, you know.  You know that I am in the way here.  I have stood it as long as I can, and can endure it no longer.”  I inquired where he was going to, and he said, “St. Louis.”  I then asked if he had any business there, and he said, “Not a bit.”  I then begged him to stay, illustrating his case by my own.

Before the battle of Shiloh, I had been cast down by a mere newspaper assertion of “crazy;” but that single battle had given me new life, and now I was in high feather; and I argued with him that, if he went away, events would go right along, and he would be left out; whereas, if he remained, some happy accident might restore him to favor and his true place.  He certainly appreciated my friendly advice, and promised to wait awhile; at all events, not to go without seeing me again, or communicating with me.  Very soon after this, I was ordered to Chewalla, where, on the 6th of June, I received a note from him, saying that he had reconsidered his intention, and would remain.  I cannot find the note, but my answer I have kept: 

Chewalla, Jane 6, 1862.

Major-General grant.

My dear sir:  I have just received your note, and am rejoiced at your conclusion to remain; for you could not be quiet at home for a week when armies were moving, and rest could not relieve your mind of the gnawing sensation that injustice had been done you.