large accumulation of troops here, for
Sherman. Col. Hammond telegraphed the department at Washington
yesterday that, communications being now re-established from
Nashville to Atlanta, he could commence sending them forward
immediately; and doubtless the movement will begin tomorrow. I
congratulate you most heartily of his splendid success thus far
and on the certainty that no effort will be spared to maintain his
army at the highest possible point of efficiency.

"There appears to be no truth in the report of a co-operative
movement in aid of Sheridan for Tennessee. Burbridge's expedition
is for a point beyond Abingdon where there are important salt works,
and he intends returning thence through Knoxville. So I learn from
one who ought to know; but don't understand it. _That game_ seems
hardly worth the candle.

"We had a splendid meeting in Aurora yesterday and our friends are
confident of Gov. Morton's re-election. Thousands of people stood
in a pouring rain to hear me and Gov. Lane talk to them, and
profounder or more earnest attention I never witnessed. It will
gratify you, I am sure, to know that I receive, wherever I go,
unequivocal manifestations of a popular confidence and appreciation,
which I did not suppose I possessed.

"There is not now the slightest uncertainty about the re-election
of Mr. Lincoln. The only question is, by what popular and what
electoral majority. God grant that both may be so decisive as to
turn every hope of rebellion to despair!

"You ask about Mr. Fessenden's remaining in the cabinet. He will
be a candidate for re-election to the Senate; and if successful
will leave his present post in March, or sooner if circumstances
allow. He has been in communication with me since he took charge,
and in every step, with perhaps one slight exception, his judgment
has corresponded with mine. He sees several matters now in quite
a different light from that in which they appeared to him when
Senator. He would now, for example, _cordially support_ your
proposition for a heavy discriminating tax upon all unnational
circulation. And he is more than just--he is very generous in his
appreciation of the immense work of organization and effective
activity to be found in the department.

"How signally are events confirming my views as to the value of
gold, compared with national currency. How clear it is now that
if Congress had come boldly to the act of marked discriminative
taxation