with parties in hostility, they are spies, and can be punished with death or minor punishment.

These are well-established principles of war, and the people of the South having appealed to war, are barred from appealing to our Constitution, which they have practically and publicly defied. They have appealed to war, and must abide its rules and laws. The United States, us a belligerent party claiming right in the soil as the ultimate sovereign, have a right to change the population, and it may be and is, both politic and just, we should do so in certain districts. When the inhabitants persist too long in hostility, it may be both politic and right we should banish them and appropriate their lands to a more loyal and useful population. No man will deny that the United States would be benefited by dispossessing a single prejudiced, hard-headed, and disloyal planter, and substituting in his place a dozen or more patient, industrious, good families, even if they be of foreign birth. I think it does good to present this view of the case to many Southern gentlemen, who grew rich and wealthy, not by virtue alone of their industry and skill, but by reason of the protection and impetus to prosperity given by our hitherto moderate and magnanimous Government. It is all idle nonsense for these Southern planters to say that they made the South, that they own it, and that they can do as they please even to break up our Government, and to shut up the natural avenues of trade, intercourse, and commerce.

We know, and they know, if they are intelligent beings, that, as compared with the whole world, they are but as five millions are to one thousand millions -that they did not create the land-that their only title to its use and usufruct is the deed of the United States; and if they appeal to war, they hold their all by a very insecure tenure.

For my part I believe that this war is the result of false political doctrine, for which we are all as a people responsible, viz.: that any and every people have a right to self-government; and I would give all a chance to reflect, and when in error to recant. I know slave owners finding themselves in possession of a species of property in opposition to the growing sentiment of the whole civilized world, conceived their property in danger, and foolishly appealed to war; and by skilful political handling involved with themselves the whole South on the doctrines of error and prejudice. I believe that some of the rich and slaveholding are prejudiced to an extent that nothing but death and ruin will extinguish, but hope that as the poorer and industrial classes of the South realize their relative weakness, and their dependence upon the fruits of the earth and good will of their fellow-men, they will not only discover the error of their ways, and repent of their hasty action, but bless those who persistently maintained a Constitutional Government, strong enough to sustain itself, protect its citizens, and promise peaceful homes to millions yet unborn."

In this belief, whilst I assert for our Government the highest military prerogatives, I am willing to bear in patience that political nonsense of slave rights, State rights, freedom of conscience, freedom of press, and such other trash as have deluded the Southern people into war, anarchy, bloodshed, and the foulest crimes that have disgraced any time or any people. I would advise the commanding officers at Huntsville, and such other towns as are occupied by our troops, to assemble the inhabitants and explain to them these plain, self-evident propositions, and tell them that it is for them now to say, whether they and their children shall inherit the beautiful land, which, by the accident of nature, has fallen to their

share. The Government of the United States has in North Alabama any and all rights which they choose to enforce in war, to take their lives, their homes, their lands, their every thing, because they cannot deny that war does exist there, and war is simply power unrestrained by constitution or compact. If they want eternal war, well and good-we will accept

the issue and dispossess them, and put our friends in possession. I know thousands and millions of good people who, at simple notice, would come to North Alabama and accept the elegant houses and plantations now there. If the people of Huntsville think different, let them persist in war three years longer, and then they will not be consulted. Three years ago, by a little reflection and patience they could have had a hundred years of peace and prosperity, but they preferred war; very well, last year they could have saved their slaves, but now it is too lateall the powers of earth cannot restore to them their slaves any more than their dead grandfathers. Next year their lands will be taken, for in war we can take them, and rightfully, too, and in another year they may beg in vain for their lives. A people who will persevere in war beyond a certain limit, ought to know the consequences. Many, many people, with less pertinacity than the South, have been wiped out of national existence.

My own belief is, that even now the non-slaveholding classes of the South are alienating from their associates in war. Already I hear crimination. Those who have property left, should take warning in time. Since I have come down here, I have seen many Southern planters who now hire their negroes, and acknowledge that they knew not the earthquake they were to make by appealing to secession. They thought that the politicians had prepared the way, and that they could part in peace. They now see that we are bound together as one nation, by indissoluble ties, and that any interest or any people that set themselves up in antagonism to the nation, must perish.

While I would not remit one jot or tittle of our nation's rights, in peace or war, I do make allowances for past political errors and false prejudices. Our national Congress and Supreme Courts are the proper arenas in which to discuss conflicting opinions and not the battle-field.

You may not hear from me again, and if you think it will do any good, call some of the people together, and explain these my views. You may even read to them this letter, and let them use it, so as to prepare them for my coming.

To those who submit to the rightful law and authority, all gentleness and forbearance, but to the petulant and persistent secessionists, why, death is mercy, and the quicker he or she is disposed of, the better. Satan, and the rebellious saints of heaven, were allowed a continuance of existence in hell, merely to swell their just punishment. To such as would rebel against a Government so mild and just as ours was in peace, a punishment equal would not be unjust.

We are progressing well in this quarter. Though I have not changed my opinion that we may soon assume the existence of our National Government, yet years will pass before ruffianism, murder, and robbery will cease to afflict this region of our country. Truly your friend, (Signed)

W. T. SHERMAN,
Major-General Commanding.

The advance of Gen. Sherman's movement, consisting of the 17th corps, under Gen. McPherson, left Vicksburg on February 3d, in light marching order, with rations for some days. The enemy were encountered after crossing the Big Black River, during the day, and some skirmishing ensued. The encampment was made that night on the west side of Baker's Creek, the enemy appearing in line of battle on the opposite side. The Confederate force consisted of about two thousand cavalry. under Gen. Whitworth, who was in command from Jackson westward. At Canton there was

a force of about five thousand men under Gen. Loring, and at Meridian Gen. Polk with ten thousand more. The latter officer was in com

mand of the department. The preparations for Gen. Sherman's expedition had attracted the attention of the enemy, and many unaware of the difficulties of such a movement across the country, had supposed his object might be an attack on Mobile. The uncertainty which existed is shown by the following order, issued at a later date:

MOBILE, February 10, 1864. DEAR SIR: I have just been informed by General Polk that the enemy is moving from Morton against Mobile. It is, therefore, my duty to ask all persons who cannot take part in the defence of the city to

leave it.

I am, sir, very respectfully yours,

DABNEY MAURY, Major-General Commanding.

To Col. JOHN FORSYTH, Mobile. The Governor of Alabama, upon the first advance of the Federal troops from Vicksburg, issued the following address to the people : EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT OF ALABAMA, MONTGOMERY, February 6, 1864. To the People of Alabama :

The recent action of Congress has deprived the State of much of the materials of the second-class militia. It is important to the defence of the State, that Alabama shall have more troops subject to the call of her Commander-in-chief. We have, within the State, the materials for an efficient army. It needs nothing but the spirit, the prompt and willing spirit to fight, as men ought to fight, to guard our firesides and drive the hireling Yankee from our borders. We are threatened with raids into the heart of the State.

As your Executive Chief I call upon the middle aged, the young men and boys, to organize into companies at once, and report, without delay, that they are organized and ready. I cannot suppose that Alabamians will wait to be drafted into the service. The enthusiastic reënlistment of our veteran troops in the Virginia and Tennessee armies has caused a thrill of joyful hope to animate the hearts of even the croaking and despondent. If these battle-scarred heroes, who for three years have carried their lives in their hands, ready to be sacrificed in the defence of their homes and liberty, are willing to battle on while the feet of a hated foe press our soil, shall we at home be laggards in the race of glory? I trust no such damning stigma shall rest upon the honored name of Alabama.

I confidently expect a hearty, prompt, and noble response to this call.

The rolls of companies will be reported to the Adjutant-General.

T. H. WATTS, Governor of Alabama. The force of Gen. Sherman consisted of two corps under Gen. McPherson and Hurlbut, estimated at thirty thousand men, with sixty pieces of light artillery. He reached Jackson on February 6th, and pressed forward toward Meridian. The enemy fell back, destroying all provision, and making a desert of the country. From Jackson Gen. Sherman crossed the Pearl River, and passed through Brandon to Morton. Here the enemy had made dispositions for a battle, but retired during the night. On the next day the army advanced and reached Meridian. The enemy state that all the Confederate Government property was

previously removed, and nearly all the machinery of the railroad company. The force under Gen. Polk fell back across the Tombigbee. On his arrival at Meridian Gen. Sherman issued the following congratulatory address to his troops:

HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE, MERIDIAN, Miss., February 15, 1864. lations and thanks to the officers and men composing The General Commanding conveys his congratuthis command for their most successful accomplishment of one of the great problems of the war. Meridian, the great railway centre of the Southwest, is now in our possession, and by industry and hard work can be rendered useless to the enemy, and deprive him of the chief source of supply to his armies. Secrecy in plan and rapidity of execution accomplish the best results of war; and the General Commanding assures all that by following their leaders fearlessly and with confidence they will in time reap the reward so dear to us all-a peace that will never again be disturbed in our country by a discontented minority. W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General Commanding.

By order of

On the same day he issued the following instructions:

HEADQUARTERS, DepartmentT OF THE TENNESSEE, MERIDIAN, MISS., February 15, 1864. 1. The destruction of the railroads intersecting at Meridian is of great importance, and should be done most effectually. Every tie and rail for many miles in each direction should be absolutely destroyed or injured, and every bridge and culvert should be completely destroyed. To insure this end, to General Hurlbut is entrusted the destruction east and north, and to General McPherson the roads west and south. The troops should be impressed with the importance of this work, and also that time is material, and therefore it should be begun at once and be prosecuted with all the energy possible. Working parties and they should move by regiments, provided with should be composed of about one-half the command, their arms and haversacks, ready to repel attacks of cavalry. The other half in reserve will be able to watch the enemy retreating eastward.

2. Colonel E. F. Winslow, commanding cavalry, will keep his cavalry in advance of the party working eastward, and will act as though this army were slowly pursuing the enemy.

3. Special instructions will be given as to the general supply train; and the troops now in Meridian will, under proper brigade parties, collect meal, meat, and supplies. The destruction of buildings must be deferred till the last moment, when a special detail will be made for that purpose.

By order of

W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General Commanding.

Gen. Sherman reports that while at Meridian he made "the most complete destruction of railroads ever beheld." This was done on the road running south as far as Quitman; on the east as far as Cuba Station, twenty miles; and two miles north to Lauderdale Springs. Lauderdale County was already desolate, and the country between Meridian and Demopolis was sterile and unproductive. While at Meridian he heard nothing of the cavalry force under Gen. W. S. Smith, who was ordered to be there from Memphis by February 10th; and after occupying the town for a week, and his supplies growing short, he began to fall back toward Vicksburg, making a circuit by the north to Canton. This place was reached February

26th. His total loss was reported at one hundred and seventy men killed and wounded.

Meantime, Gen. W. S. Smith, who was ordered to report to Gen. Sherman at Meridian, moved from Memphis on February 11th, with a force of seven thousand men, consisting of cavalry and a brigade of infantry. After two days the expedition reached the Tallahatchie. A demonstration was made westward by the infantry toward Panola, thus attracting the attention of a force of the enemy, while the cavalry moved eastward to New Albany, where the river was crossed without opposition. Gen. Smith then pushed forward, and in the vicinity of Houston encountered some troops under Col. Gholson. They fell back to a swamp, where a considerable force was concentrated. Finding it impossible to turn either flank of this position, Gen. Smith moved rapidly eastward, while a demonstration was made in front of the enemy as if an attack was intended. On the same day he surprised and entered Okalona. The 9th Illinois cavalry, Lieut.-Col. Burgh, was then sent to Aberdeen to endeavor to secure a crossing of the Tombigbee. On the next morning Col. Grierson was sent forward with a brigade to support the 9th, with directions to threaten Columbus strongly. With the remaining force Gen. Smith advanced along the railroad toward West Point, tearing up the track and burning all the corn he found. The quantity which he destroyed is reported as nearly a million of bushels, with about two thousand bales of cotton. During this portion of the march negroes flocked to Gen. Smith by hundreds, mounted on their masters' horses and mules. They welcomed Gen. Smith as their deliverer whenever he met them: "God bless ye; has yer come at last? We've been lookin' for you for a long time, and had almost done gone give it up," was the cry of many. They bid farewell to their wives and children and marched in the van.

Hearing that the enemy was concentrated in heavy force at West Point, the brigade at Aberdeen was called over by a forced march to the railroad, at a station fifteen miles north of West Point. Two miles north of this station Gen. Smith encountered a force of the enemy, which fell back, after a sharp skirmish, through the town to a swamp on the right. Gen. Smith now found the enemy on his front in strong force, holding all the crossings of the swamp on the right; also on the line of the Octibbeha in front, and that of the Tombigbee River on his left. He could attack only with light carbines, as his horses were useless on the marshy ground. The enemy were armed with muskets and rifles. Gen. Smith was also now encumbered with pack-trains, and mules and horses captured, numbering about two thousand, beside as many negroes. To guard these his effective force was reduced, and he therefore determined to make a demonstration in front, and at the same time fall back with his trains and his main body to Okalona.

This movement was successfully executed, although the enemy pressed_closely, under the command of Gens. Forrest, Lee, and Chalmers. At Okalona, on the 22d, Gen. Smith was attacked, and suffered severely in the loss of men, besides five howitzers. His retreat that day was followed up. Under cover of the night he moved toward Pontotoc. This movement is thus described: "Picture to yourself, if you can, a living, moving mass of men, negroes, mules, and horses, of four thousand or five thousand, all en masse, literally jammed, huddled, and crowded into the smallest possible space; night setting in; artillery and small arms booming behind us; cavalry all around and ahead, moving on, on, on over fences, through fields and brush, over hills and across mud-holes, streams, and bridges, and still on, on into the night, until the moon rises on the scene and shows us some of the outlines of this living panorama. I forgot to say that in this crowd were a lot of prisoners, too, once or twice attempting to escape, followed by the swift report of the revolver, once with bitter consequences to the escaping prisoners."

During the day the enemy had moved on each flank, with the evident design of reaching the Tallahatchie River in advance, and forming a junction to prevent the crossing of Gen. Smith and capture his whole force; but, by marching all night, he safely crossed the river at New Albany. On the 23d the rear guard had skirmishing all day. On the 25th the advance reached Memphis, at 11 P. M., having marched nearly fifty miles that day. It was reported that a million bushels of corn were destroyed, many miles in length of the Memphis and Ohio Railroad, bridges, cotton-gins, and buildings. Says one: "We have probably devoured fifty thousand hams, some eggs, chickens, turkeys, milk, and butter by wholesale, and such et ceteras as can be found in so rich a country as we have passed through." The captured stock and trains were brought off safely. The loss was less than two hundred killed and captured. The expedition failed to make a junction with Gen. Sherman.

When the expedition of Gen. Sherman returned toward Vicksburg, a detachment was sent up the Yazoo River, accompanied with some gunboats. Yazoo City was attacked, but the enemy held it until reënforced. An amount of stores and cotton was destroyed. The Federal loss was about fifty killed and wounded. The general results of this movement, including those of Gens. Sherman and Smith, is stated to have been as follows: One hundred and fifty miles of railroad, sixtyseven bridges, seven hundred trestles, twenty locomotives, twenty-eight cars, several thousand bales of cotton, several steam mills, and over two million bushels of corn were destroyed. Some prisoners were captured, and upwards of eight thousand negroes and refugees came in with the various columns.

Many dwellings and all the outbuildings and farming utensils were destroyed.

The expedition of Gen. Sherman was generally supposed to be designed for the capture of Mobile. But, however that may have been, no official statement has been made. As it ad vanced toward Meridian, a force was detached from the army of Gen. Johnston, formerly commanded by Gen. Bragg, near Dalton, in Georgia, and sent to reenforce Gen. Polk. Two divisions of Gen. Hardee's Corps, under Gens. Stewart and Anderson, composed this force. To counteract this movement of the enemy, another was set on foot by Gen. Grant, then in command at Chattanooga. This consisted of an advance of the Fourteenth Corps, under Gen. Palmer, upon Dalton. It commenced on February 22d. The divisions of Gens. Jeff. C. Davis, Johnston, and Baird participated on the right, or direct road to Dalton, and the division of Gen. Stanley, under command of Gen. Crufts, on the left. This latter division had been encamped at Cleveland, and formed a junction with the main force between Ringgold and Tunnel Hill. The advance of the main force passed to the left of the Chickamauga battle-field, over Taylor's Ridge and through Ringgold Gap. A small force of the enemy was seen here, who retired. Ringgold, twenty-three miles from Chattanooga, was occupied that night. On the next day the column moved at daylight, and during the forenoon there was constant skirmishing with the cavalry of the enemy. At noon Gen. Crufts made a junction, and the whole corps moved forward in line of battle, with cavalry in advance and on the flanks, until it reached the vicinity of Tunnel Hill. On the ridge were four pieces of artillery, under Gen. Wheeler, which soon opened fire. These were dislodged in a short time by the 2d Minnesota and 9th Indiana batteries, and the ridge occupied about 4 P. M. The advance continued and the cavalry force pressed forward in pursuit of the few scattered enemies, until it was checked by a cross-fire from six guns, at Rocky Fall, in a gorge through which the railroad and turnpike passes. The enemy succeeded in holding that position for the night. On the next morning, after considerable heavy fighting, the corps advanced into the town and captured about a hundred and fifty prisoners. The movement was immediately continued upon Dalton, distant seven miles from Tunnel Hill. The corps descended through the gaps into the Rocky Fall valley, the division of Gen. Crufts being on the left, Gen. Johnston on the right, Gen. Baird on the left centre, and Gen. Davis on the right centre. During the whole forenoon there was lively skirmishing, and the enemy's force evidently increased in numbers. Gen. Palmer advanced cautiously within two miles of Dalton, when it appeared that preparations had been made by the whole of Gen. Johnston's army to receive him. Considerable activity was perceptible in the interior of the enemy's

works, and their cavalry began to hover about the flanks of Gen. Palmer's corps. Deserters reported that two divisions which had started toward Mobile had returned. Gen. Palmer now fell back to Tunnel Hill. His loss in the expedition was about three hundred and fifty killed and wounded. That of the enemy is unknown. Some prisoners were taken by Gen. Palmer. On March 10th he had fallen back to Ringgold.

The movement in East Tennessee consisted merely in an advance toward the position of Gen. Longstreet, who was then reported to be retreating into Virginia. He finally joined the army of Gen. Lee with his command.

In the Department of the South, authority was given to Gen. Q. A. Gilmore commanding, on December 22d, 1863, to undertake such operations as he might deem best on a conference with Admiral Dahlgren commanding the naval force. On the 13th of January the President wrote to Gen. Gilmore as follows:

EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, January 13, 1864. Major-General GILMORE: I understand an effort is being made by some worthy gentlemen to reconstruct a legal State Government in Florida. Florida is in your department, and it is not unlikely you may be there in person. I have given Mr. Hay a commission of major and sent him to you with some blank books and other blanks to aid in the construction. He will explain as to the manner of using the blanks, and also my general views on the subject. It is desirable for all to cooperate; but if irreconcilable differences of opinion shall arise you are master. I wish the thing done in the most speedy way possible, so that when done it be within the range of the late proclamation on the subject. The detail labor will of course have to be done by others, but I shall be greatly obliged if you will give it such general supervision as you can find consistent with your more strictly military duties. A. LINCOLN.

On January 14th Gen. Gilmore proposed to the War Department to occupy the west bank of the St. John's River in Florida, and establish small depots there preparatory to an advance west. On the 22d of January he was informed by the Secretary that the matter was left entirely to his judgment and discretion with the means at his command. On January 31st Gen. Gilmore again wrote to the Secretary that the objects to be obtained by the operations were: 1st. "To procure an outlet for cotton, lumber, timber, &c.

2d. "To cut off one of the enemy's sources of commissary supplies, &c.

3d. "To obtain recruits for my colored regiments.

4th. "To inaugurate measures for the speedy restoration of Florida to her allegiance in accordance with the instructions which he had received from the President, by the hands of Major John Hay, Assistant Adjutant-General." On the same day Gen. Gilmore issued the following order:

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH. HILTON HEAD, S. C., January 31, 186-1. GENERAL ORDERS No. 16.-In accordance with the provision of the Presidential Proclamation of Pardon and Amnesty, given at Washington on the 8th day of December, in the year of our