I prefer that Hatch’s force should not be materially weakened until I am near Columbia, when you may be governed by the situation of affairs about Charleston.  If you can break the railroad between this and Charleston, then this force could be reduced.

I am, with respect, etc.,

W. T. Sherman, Major-General commanding.

Headquarters military division of the Mississippi,
in the field, Pocotaligo, south Carolina, January 18, 1865.

Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.

Sir:  When you left Savannah a few days ago, you forgot the map which General Geary had prepared for you, showing the route by which his division entered the city of Savannah, being the first troops to occupy that city.  I now send it to you.

I avail myself of the opportunity also to inclose you copies of all my official orders touching trade and intercourse with the people of Georgia, as well as for the establishment of the negro settlements.

Delegations of the people of Georgia continue to come in, and I am satisfied that, by judicious handling and by a little respect shown to their prejudices, we can create a schism in Jeff.  Davis’s dominions.  All that I have conversed with realize the truth that slavery as an institution is defunct, and the only questions that remain are what disposition shall be made of the negroes themselves.  I confess myself unable to offer a complete solution for these questions, and prefer to leave it to the slower operations of time.  We have given the initiative, and can afford to await the working of the experiment.

As to trade-matters, I also think it is to our interest to keep the Southern people somewhat dependent on the articles of commerce to which they have hitherto been accustomed.  General Grover is now here, and will, I think, be able to handle this matter judiciously, and may gradually relax, and invite cotton to come in in large quantities.  But at first we should manifest no undue anxiety on that score; for the rebels would at once make use of it as a power against us.  We should assume, a tone of perfect contempt for cotton and every thing else in comparison with the great object of the war—­the restoration of the Union, with all its rights and power.  It the rebels burn cotton as a war measure, they simply play into our hands by taking away the only product of value they have to exchange in foreign ports for war-ships and munitions.  By such a course, also, they alienate the feelings of a large class of small farmers who look to their little parcels of cotton to exchange for food and clothing for their families.  I hope the Government will not manifest too much anxiety to obtain cotton in large quantities, and especially that the President will not indorse the contracts for the purchase of large quantities of cotton.  Several contracts, involving from six to ten thousand bales, indorsed by Mr. Lincoln, have been shown me, but were not in such a form as to amount to an order to compel me to facilitate their execution.