"That is their line," said Halleck.

"Now, where is the proper place to break it ?" And either Cullum or I said, "Naturally the centre." Halleck drew a line perpendicular to the other, near its middle, and it coincided nearly with the general course of the Tennessee River; and he said, "That's the true line of operations." This occurred more than a month before General Grant began the movement, and, as he was subject to General Halleck's orders, I have always given Halleck the full credit for that movement, which was skillful, successful, and extremely rich in military results; indeed, it was the first real success on our side in the civil war.

The movement up the Tennessee began about the 1st of February, and Fort Henry was captured by the joint action of the navy under Commodore Foote, and the land forces under General Grant, on the 6th of February, 1862.
About the same time, General S.R.Curtis had moved forward from Rolls, and, on the 8th of March, defeated the rebels under McCulloch, Van Dom, and Price, at Pea Ridge.
As soon as Fort Henry fell, General Grant marched straight across to Fort Donelson, on the Cumberland River, invested the place, and, as soon as the gunboats had come round from the Tennessee, and had bombarded the water-front, he assaulted; whereupon Buckner surrendered the garrison of twelve thousand men; Pillow and ex-Secretary of War General Floyd having personally escaped across the river at night, occasioning a good deal of fun and criticism at their expense.
Before the fall of Donelson, but after that of Henry, I received, at Benton Barracks, the following orders: HEADQUARTERS THE DEPARTMENT OF MISSOURI St.Louis, February,13, 1862 Brigadier-General SHERMAN, Benton Barracks: You will immediately repair to Paducah, Kentucky, and assume command of that post.

Brigadier-General Hurlbut will accompany you.

The command of Benton Barracks will be turned over to General Strong.
H.W.HALECK, Major-General.
I started for Paducah the same day, and think that General Cullum went with me to Cairo; General Halleck's purpose being to push forward the operations up the Tennessee River with unusual vigor.
On reaching Paducah, I found this dispatch: HEADQUARTERS THE DEPARTMENT OF MISSOURI St.Louis, February 15, 1862 Brigadier-General SHERMAN, Paducah, Kentucky: Send General Grant every thing you can spare from Paducah and Smith and also General Hurlbut.
Bowling Green has been evacuated entirely.
H.W.HALLECK, Major-General.
The next day brought us news of the surrender of Buckner, and probably at no time during the war did we all feel so heavy a weight raised from our breasts, or so thankful for a most fruitful series of victories.