I was seated on the piazza engaged in conversation with my staff when Sherman came up.

After a few moments' conversation he said that he would like to see me alone.

We passed into the house together and shut the door after us.

Sherman then expressed his alarm at the move I had ordered, saying that I was putting myself in a position voluntarily which an enemy would be glad to manoeuvre a year--or a long time--to get me in.

I was going into the enemy's country, with a large river behind me and the enemy holding points strongly fortified above and below.