Writing contemporaneous history is the most thankless of tasks, and I discover also one of the least independent of labors. Still I have not written with a goose-quill, and there has been some gall in my ink, yet I do not think I have any thing in the ensuing chapters to blot. I do not think I have done any man injustice. I have written many sentences and made many assertions which will doubtless be termed strong, but in writing these I am only the amanuensis of truth; and I write with the firm belief that "historical truth should be only less sacred than religious truth." I have no doubt, however, that others will think differently after perusing the book. When publishing in Harper's Magazine I was told that the language of some of these sketches offended the subjects, but I have been unable to find any fact that ought to be stated otherwise. I think it best to say, for the benefit of all who may choose to object or condemn the volume as now published, that I have written nothing that I do not believe to be true--I trust not one sentence that, dying, I would wish to blot, and certainly not one word that, living, I intend to retract. NEW YORK, _Sept., 1866_. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. SHERMAN AS A STRATEGIST. The most original Character developed by the War.--No Parallel for Sherman.--His nervous Energy the secret of his great Success. --Incidents illustrative of his great Energy.--Restlessness of Manner and nervousness of Expression in Conversation.--His bad Temper. --Appearance in Battle and under Excitement.--Vigorous Style as a Writer.--He ought to have been a War Correspondent rather than a General.--The Story of his Lunacy.--How it originated.--Method in his Madness.--Habit of Decision.--How he came to leave the Law and return to the Army.--His uncontrollable Temper nearly Ruins him.--The Quarrel with Halleck and Stanton.--Failure as a Tactician and Disciplinarian.--All his Battles Defeats.--Never won a Battle.--His great strategic Marches.--The Campaign of Atlanta his greatest Achievement.--Joe Johnston a Foeman worthy of his Steel.--Sherman's Egotism.--His dislike for Correspondents and independence of the Press mere Affectation.--Nicknames bestowed on him by the Soldiers.--An inveterate Smoker.--His personal Appearance Page 17 CHAPTER II. THOMAS AS A TACTICIAN.