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DEAR SHERMAN: The bill reviving the grade of lieutenant-general in the
army has become law, and my name has been sent to the Senate for the
place.
I now receive orders to report to Washington immediately, in
person, which indicates either a confirmation or a likelihood of
confirmation. I start in the morning to comply with the order, but I shall
say very distinctly on my arrival there that I shall accept no appointment
which will require me to make that city my headquarters. This however, is
not what I started out to write about.
While I have been eminently successful in this war, in at
least the confidence of the public, no one feels more than I how much of
this success is due to the energy, skill, and the harmonious putting forth
of that energy and skill, of those whom it has been my good fortune to
have occupying subordinate positions under me.
There are many officers to whom these remarks are applicable
to a greater or lesser degree, proportionate to their ability as soldiers;
but what I want is to express my thanks to you and McPherson, as the above
all others, I feel indebted for whatever I have had of success. How far
your advice and suggestions have been of assistance you know. How far your
execution of whatever has been given you to do entities you to the reward
I am receiving, you cannot know as well as I do. I feel all the gratitude
this letter would express, giving it the most flattering construction.
The word you I use in the plural, intending it for McPherson
also. I should write to him, and will someday, but, starting in the
morning, I do not know that I will find time just now. Your friend,
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