All such things are now in the possession of the government at Washington.
(*21) WASHINGTON, D.C.
December 29, 1863.
MAJ.-GENERAL U.S.GRANT: General Foster has asked to be relieved from his command on account of disability from old wounds.

Should his request be granted, who would you like as his successor?
It is possible that Schofield will be sent to your command.
H.W.

HALLECK General-in-Chief.
(OFFICIAL.) (*22) See letter to Banks, in General Grant's report, Appendix.
(*23) [PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL.] HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES, WASHINGTON, D.C., April 4, 1864.
MAJOR-GENERAL W.T.SHERMAN, Commanding Military Division of the Mississippi.
GENERAL:--It is my design, if the enemy keep quiet and allow me to take the initiative in the spring campaign, to work all parts of the army together, and somewhat towards a common centre.

For your information I now write you my programme, as at present determined upon.
I have sent orders to Banks, by private messenger, to finish up his present expedition against Shreveport with all dispatch; to turn over the defence of Red River to General Steele and the navy and to return your troops to you and his own to New Orleans; to abandon all of Texas, except the Rio Grande, and to hold that with not to exceed four thousand men; to reduce the number of troops on the Mississippi to the lowest number necessary to hold it, and to collect from his command not less than twenty-five thousand men.

To this I will add five thousand men from Missouri.