We can send you from here a number of complete batteries of field-artillery, with or without horses, as you may desire; also, as soon as General Thomas can spare them, all the fragments, convalescents, and furloughed men of your army.  It is reported that Thomas defeated Hood yesterday, near Nashville, but we have no particulars nor official reports, telegraphic communication being interrupted by a heavy storm.

Our last advises from you was General Howard’s note, announcing his approach to Savannah.  Yours truly,

H. W. Halleck, Major-General, Chief-of-Staff.

Headquarters of the army
Washington, December 18, 1864.

Major-General W. T. Sherman, Savannah (via Hilton Head).

My dear general:  Yours of the 13th, by Major Anderson, is just received.  I congratulate you on your splendid success, and shall very soon expect to hear of the crowning work of your campaign—­the capture of Savannah.  Your march will stand out prominently as the great one of this great war.  When Savannah falls, then for another wide swath through the centre of the Confederacy.  But I will not anticipate.  General Grant is expected here this morning, and will probably write you his own views.

I do not learn from your letter, or from Major Anderson, that you are in want of any thing which we have not provided at Hilton Head.  Thinking it probable that you might want more field-artillery, I had prepared several batteries, but the great difficulty of foraging horses on the sea-coast will prevent our sending any unless you actually need them.  The hay-crop this year is short, and the Quartermaster’s Department has great difficulty in procuring a supply for our animals.

General Thomas has defeated Hood, near Nashville, and it is hoped that he will completely, crush his army.  Breckenridge, at last accounts, was trying to form a junction near Murfreesboro’, but, as Thomas is between them, Breckenridge must either retreat or be defeated.

General Rosecrans made very bad work of it in Missouri, allowing Price with a small force to overrun the State and destroy millions of property.

Orders have been issued for all officers and detachments having three months or more to serve, to rejoin your army via Savannah.  Those having less than three months to serve, will be retained by General Thomas.

Should you capture Charleston, I hope that by some accident the place may be destroyed, and, if a little salt should be sown upon its site, it may prevent the growth of future crops of nullification and secession.  Yours truly,

H. W. Halleck, Major-General, Chief-of-Staff.

Headquarters of the army
Washington, December 18, 1864.

To Major-General W. T. Sherman, commanding Military Division of the
Mississippi.