William T. Sherman to John A. Rawlins, November 1, 1862

Memphis, November 1, 1862.

Maj. JoHN A. RAWLINS, Assistant Adjutant-General, Jackson, Tenn. :

DEAR SiR: I received last night, at the hands of Colonel Hillyer, the general’s communication of October 29.

I think the attitude of things with our enemy has changed since the writing of that letter. I have seen several persons who were in Holly Springs up to Wednesday afternoon at 4 o’clock. At that time both Van Dorn and Price were in Holly Springs, and their troops camped all round about in such a way that an estimate of numbers was out of the question. There were no signs by which one could judge of their intentions. They have, like ourselves, all sorts of camp rumors, most of which are to the effect that Kentucky is their destination. Doubtless Kentucky was their destination, if they could have passed luka or Corinth. A woman, whose accounts agree with those of others, insists that the railroad cars from Holly Springs south are all engaged in carrying artillery. She persists in her assertions that she saw for two days the cars loaded with guns, carriages, and horses, and the rumors from the south are that Holly Springs is being evacuated. There is no doubt in my mind that the Confederate Government mistrusts Van Dorn, and that there is some conflict of authority between him and Pemberton, who has been specifically assigned to the Department of Mississippi and Louisiana. Villepigue’s brigade has gone to Meridian, but the great bulk of the force collected at Holly Springs is there, or was there on Wednesday. I hardly think they would move to the Mississippi or Memphis, or any point above, as they and their communications would be at your mercy. They would hardly venture to attack you or Corinth if it be true they sent off their artillery. I have a man of high intelligence who started yesterday for Grenada and thence to Holly Springs, who has promised to send me an account of what he sees. We can better judge of their intentions from facts than from their say so. Itis barely possible they are sending surplus artillery to Mobile and their field artillery round to Chattanooga, intending to make a junction with Bragg’s forces. I confess myself at a loss to divine their plans from any reliable facts in my possession.

Colonels Hillyer and Lagow, of your staff, now here, will better describe things than I can do by letter. I have requested the former to look to

our forts, warehouses, &c., and they can tell you all about them. Mem. phis is admirably adapted as a point for assembling, forming, and organizing a force of operations on the Mississippi River, as well as for invading the States of Arkansas and Mississippi, and I will undertake to put in good order any number of troops you may send here. Of course I would much prefer to have recruits to fill up our present regiments to having new regiments, but we must take what we can get.

The collection of rents proceeds favorably. Some appeals have been taken, and I send with this one case—that of Wickersham, a neutral, native of Ohio, whose post-office was used by the Confederates, and the theater, which was vacant. The papers I send you give a full history of the case, and I hope the Secretary of War will sanction our acts. I certainly do have less sympathy for this class of middle men than for the out and out secessionist. I do not know but that I should send my answer to the Secretary through you, but he referred the case to me direct, calling for a full and prompt report. If the copy of my report herewith does not accora fully with your views, please write to the Secretary. My project for taking care of the destitute has met a ready response. Ward committees and a central board have been organized composed very fairly of representatives of all interests. I have given them the use of a vacant building, an order for 25 cords of wood a month (cut by contrabands and hauled by our teams), an order for prescriptions of medicines out of confiscated drugs, and $1,000 in money out of the collection of rents; also have made a recommendation to companies to send to the depot a part of their company savings in kind. This is liberal, and, with the contributions of merchants in kind, by theaters, and families, will enable the central board to provide for all the destitute and distressed. A special tax on secessionists would accomplish the end less effectually, for indeed all the public contributions above indicated come exclusively out of our enemies.

I shall enforce the banishment of the proscribed families, because if we must fight for the river we cannot afford to do it for the benefit of the families of men in open hostility. Ihave thrown the onus on them.

I note the general’s allusion to Rosecrans, and was somewhat surprised, though convinced. I hope Hurlbut and McPherson will be retained in the department.

With great respect,

Major-General.