Major-General Sherman's Reports

It was on the 14th of March that General Sherman received notice from General Grant that he (General Grant), had been commissioned Lieutenant-General and Commander-in-chief of the armies of the United States-an appointment which would compel him to go east, and that he (General Sherman), had been appointed to succeed him as commander of the Mississippi. Immediately thereafter, General Sherman began a tour of inspection, visiting Athens, Decatur, Huntsville, Chattanooga, Knoxville, and other military points within his new command. The new commander, in this preliminary tour of observation, had interviews with Major-General McPherson, commanding the Army of the Tennessee, at Huntsville, with Major-General Thomas, commanding the Army of the Cumberland, at Chattanooga, and with Major-General Schofield, commanding the army of the Ohio, at Knoxville.