Dear general:  I have received at last the President’s reply to my last, letter.  He attempts to substantiate his statements by his Cabinet.  In this view it is important that I should have a letter from you, if you are willing to give it, of what I said to you about the effect of the “Tenure-of-Office Bill,” and my object in going to see the President on Saturday before the installment of Mr. Stanton.  What occurred after the meeting of the Cabinet on the Tuesday following is not a subject under controversy now; therefore, if you choose to write down your recollection (and I would like to have it) on Wednesday, when you and I called on the President, and your conversation with him the last time you saw him, make that a separate communication.

Your order to come East was received several days ago, but the President withdrew it, I supposed to make some alteration, but it has not been returned.  Yours truly,

U. S. Grant.

[Telegram.]

Washington, D. C., February 18, 1868.

Lieutenant-General W. T. Sherman, St. Louis.

The order is issued ordering you to Atlantic Division.

U. S. Grant, General.

[Telegram]

Headquarters military division of the Missouri,
St. Louis, February 14, 1868.

General U. S. Grant, Washington, D. C.

Your dispatch is received informing me that the order for the Atlantic Division has been issued, and that I am assigned to its command.  I was in hopes I had escaped the danger, and now were I prepared I should resign on the spot, as it requires no foresight to predict such must be the inevitable result in the end.  I will make one more desperate effort by mail, which please await.

W. T. Sherman, Lieutenant-General.

[Telegram.]

Washington, February 14, 1868. 
Lieutenant-General W. T. Sherman, St. Louis.

I think it due to you that your letter of January 31st to the President of the United States should be published, to correct misapprehension in the public mind about your willingness to come to Washington.  It will not be published against your will.

(Sent in cipher.)

[Telegram.]

Headquarters military division of the Missouri,
St. Louis, Missouri, February 14, 1868.

General U. S. Grant, Washington, D. C.

Dispatch of to-day received.  Please await a letter I address this day through you to the President, which will in due time reach the public, covering the very point you make.

I don’t want to come to Washington at all.

W. T. Sherman, Lieutenant-General.

[Telegram.]

Headquarters military division of the Missouri,
St. Loins, Missouri, February 14, 1868.