Chapters 59 through Appendix Summary and Analysis

In chapter fifty-nine, Grant stepped back in time to September and described Sherman's "march to the sea". Grant telegraphed Sherman in early September, urging that Sherman continue to press the Southern troops. Grant said that if the Confederates had time to rest, it would inevitably draw out the war. He also noted, however, that Sherman should remain camped long enough for his own men to be rested for the next attack. Sherman decided to move first against Milledgeville and then Savannah. The Union tried to secure railroads in areas they controlled but the Confederates managed to destroy tracks anyway. Grant wrote Sherman a letter on December 3, 1864. He said that it appeared Sherman faced no real obstacles but Grant declined celebrating Sherman's victory, saying he didn't want to do so until "the victory is assured". Grant told Sherman...