ces
at Fort Donelson marched across to the Tennessee, where they were
speedily joined by Sherman's division and other reinforcements coming by
boat up the river.

On March 2d General Halleck, having received an anonymous letter
reflecting on General Grant, telegraphed to General McClellan, the
General-in-Chief, at Washington: "I have had no communication with
General Grant for more than a week. He left his command without my
authority, and went to Nashville. His army seems to be as much
demoralized by the victory of Fort Donelson as was that of the Potomac
by the defeat of Bull Run. It is hard to censure a successful general
immediately after a victory, but I think he richly deserves it. I can
get no reports, no returns, no information of any kind from him.
Satisfied with his victory, he sits down and enjoys it without any
regard to the future. I am worn out and tired by this neglect and
inefficiency. C.F. Smith is almost the only officer equal to the
emergency." Next day McClellan answered by telegraph: "The future
success of our cause demands that proceedings such as General Grant's
should at once be checked. Generals must observe discipline as well as
private soldiers. Do not hesitate to arrest him at once if the good of
the service requires it, and place C.F. Smith in command. You are at
liberty to regard this as a positive order, if it will smooth your way."
On the 4th General Halleck telegraphed to Grant: "You will place
Major-General C.F. Smith in command of expedition, and remain yourself
at Fort Henry. Why do you not obey my orders to report strength and
position of your command?" Grant replied next day: "Troops will be sent
under command of Major-General Smith, as directed. I had prepared a
different plan, intending General Smith to command the forces which
should go to Paris and Humboldt, while I would command the expedition
upon Eastport, Corinth, and Jackson in person.... I am not aware of ever
having disobeyed any order from your headquarters--certainly never
intended such a thing. I have reported almost daily the condition of my
command, and reported every position occupied...." An interchange of
telegrams of substantially the same tenor, General Halleck's gradually
losing their asperity, lasted a week longer. On March 10th, the day
before the President, by War Order No. 3, relieved General McClellan
from the supreme command of the armies, General L. Thomas,
Adjutant-General of the Army, wrote to General