Not only does it afford the obvious and immediate military advantages, but, in showing to the world that your army could be divided, putting the stronger part to an important new service, and yet leaving enough to vanquish the old opposing force of the whole, Hood's army, it brings those who sat in darkness to see a great light.

But what next?
I suppose it will be safer if I leave General Grant and yourself to decide.
A.LINCOLN Of course, this judgment; made after the event, was extremely flattering and was all I ever expected, a recognition of the truth and of its importance.

I have often been asked, by well-meaning friends, when the thought of that march first entered my mind.

I knew that an army which had penetrated Georgia as far as Atlanta could not turn back.

It must go ahead, but when, how, and where, depended on many considerations.