Gen. Rawlins received the following from Sherman.
General JOHN A. RAWLINS,
Chief of Staff to General Grant, Washington, D. C.:
GENERAL: I arrived here yesterday after a tempestuous visit about Chicago and North Ohio, and now feel desirous to know what is to be my next destination. I have nothing official, and so far as my record goes, I could go into Kentucky and Tennessee and resume command, but from what General Grant told me at Chicago I suppose I am by him destined for Saint Louis, but, as the War Department may interpose, it is prudent on my part to ascertain authoritatively what official orders are in existence or ceontemplation touching me. I want, for economy’s sake, to get my office and headquarters paraphernalia to their destination, and have written to General Townsend for any orders already made or determined on that will enable me to act. I will go next Saturday, July 2, to Louisville to attend the barbecue and celebration of the Fourth of July and will probably run down to Nashville to see Thomas. I would like, before starting, to know all that is proper and ask you to telegraph me by or before next Friday, sooner the better, if the new division has been determined, and where my headquarters are fixed. I can then establish my headquarters, make a single order assiging command, and give some general directions for receiving reports, when I can quietly come back to this village and spend some quiet weeks. It has been suggested to me that I will be quietly left out in the cold. Even if that be resolved on I ought to know it, that I may shape my private affairs accordingly.
I am, with respect, yours, truly,
W. T. SHERMAN,
Major-General.
I replied,
WASHINGTON, D. C., June 29, 1865 – 8 p. m.
Major-General SHERMAN,
Lancaster, Ohio:
You go to Saint Louis to command the Military Division of the Mississippi. The order is out.
U. S. GRANT,
Lieutenant-General.
The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 15, p 231-2
O.R., I, xlvii, part 3, p 662
O.R., I, xlviii, part 2, p 1027