from Okolona to Meridian, and thence eastward to Selma.  From Okolona south you will find abundance of forage collected along the railroad, and the farmers have corn standing in the fields.  Take liberally of all these, as well as horses, mules, cattle, etc.  As a rule, respect dwellings and families as something too sacred to be disturbed by soldiers, but mills, barns, sheds, stables, and such like things use for the benefit or convenience of your command.  If convenient, send into Columbus, Mississippi, and destroy all machinery there, and the bridge across the Tombigbee, which enables the enemy to draw the resources of the east side of the valley, but this is not of sufficient importance to delay your movement.  Try and communicate with me by scouts and spies from the time you reach Pontotoc.  Avoid any large force of infantry, leaving them to me.  We have talked over this matter so much that the above covers all points not provided for in my published orders of to-day.  I am, etc.,

W. T. Sherman, Mayor-General, commanding.

Memphis, Tennessee, January 27, 1864.

Brigadier-General J. P. Hatch, in charge of Cavalry Bureau, St.
Louis, Missouri.

Sir:  Your favor of the 21st inst. is just received.  Up to the present time eight hundred and eighteen horses have arrived here since Captain Hudson’s visit to St. Louis.  I wrote you upon his return several days ago that it would not be necessary to divert shipments to this point which could not reach us before February 1st.  We shall certainly get off on our contemplated expedition before that time.  The number of horses estimated for in this department by its chief quartermaster was two thousand, and this number, including those already sent, will, I think, completely mount all the dismounted cavalry of this department.  Recruits for cavalry regiments are arriving freely, and this will swell our requisitions for a couple of months to come.  I will as far as possible procure horses from the regions of country traversed by our cavalry.

Yours truly, W. Sooy Smith, Brigadier-General,

Chief of Cavalry, Military Division of the Mississippi.

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, January 28, 1864

Brigadier-General George Crook, commanding Second Cavalry Division,
Huntsville, Alabama.

I start in about three days with seven, thousand men to Meridian via Pontotoc.  Demonstrate on Decatur, to hold Roddy.

W. Sooy Smith, Brigadier-General,
Chief of Cavalry, Military Division of the Mississippi.

Maywood, Illinois, July 9,1875
General W. T. Sherman, Commander-in-Chief, United States Army.

Sir:  Your letter of July 7th is just received.

Your entire statement in the “Memoirs” concerning my part in the
Meridian campaign is incorrect.