I therefore directed him to leave them as they were, and report here the result of his inspection, for which purpose he had been ordered there.
No telegram or dispatch of any kind was sent by me, or by any one with my knowledge or authority, in relation to it.

After his return here, I gave him a leave of absence of twenty days, for the benefit of his health.

As I was then pressing General McClellan for more officers, I deemed it necessary to explain why I did so.
I used these words: "I am satisfied that General Sherman's physical and mental system is so completely broken by labor and care as to render him, for the present, unfit for duty; perhaps a few weeks' rest may restore him." This was the only communication I made on the subject.

On no occasion have I ever expressed an opinion that his mind was affected otherwise than by over-exertion; to have said so would have done him the greatest injustice.
After General Sherman returned from his short leave, I found that his health was nearly restored, and I placed him temporarily in command of the camp of instruction, numbering over fifteen thousand men.

I then wrote to General McClellan that he would soon be able to again take the field.