he return to Chattanooga. We
were gone three weeks, and during that time had no change of clothing,
and were compelled to obtain our food from the corn-cribs, hen-roosts,
sheep-pens, and smoke-houses on the way. The incidents of this trip,
through the valleys of East Tennessee, where the waters of the Hiawasse,
and the Chetowa, and the Ocoee, and the Estonola ripple through
corn-fields and meadows, and beneath shadows of evergreen ridges, will
be laid aside for a more convenient season. I append simply a letter of
General Sherman:

"HEAD-QUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE,}
"CHATTANOOGA, _December 18, 1863_. }

"GENERAL JEFF. C. DAVIS, _Chattanooga_.

"DEAR GENERAL--In our recent short but most useful
campaign it was my good fortune to have attached
to me the corps of General Howard, and the
division commanded by yourself. I now desire to
thank you personally and officially for the
handsome manner in which you and your command have
borne themselves throughout. You led in the
pursuit of Bragg's army on the route designated
for my command, and I admired the skill with which
you handled the division at Chickamauga, and more
especially in the short and sharp encounter, at
nightfall, near Graysville.

"When General Grant called on us, unexpectedly and
without due preparation, to march to Knoxville for
the relief of General Burnside, you and your
officers devoted yourselves to the work like
soldiers and patriots, marching through cold and
mud without a murmur, trusting to accidents for
shelter and subsistence.

"During the whole march, whenever I encountered
your command, I found all the officers at their
proper places and the men in admirable order. This
is the true test, and I pronounce your division
one of the best ordered in the service. I wish you
all honor and success in your career, and shall
deem myself most fortunate if the incidents of war
bring us together again.

"Be kind enough to say to General Morgan, General
Beatty, and Colonel McCook, your brigade
commanders, that I have publicly and privately
commended their brigades, and that I stand