I am sitting here in my tent in Atlanta, Georgia on August 
31, 1964. 

I have just taken Atlanta from General Hood as he and his 
troops left in the night.  Atlanta is now my headquarters 
and the southerners are not pleased.  We must be very strong 
against them and I must take from them (we call it foraging) 
to feed and equip my Army of over 40,000 men.  

If General Grant will allow me I am going to increase my 
strength to 68,000 men, because I have an idea how to win this 
war and unite the union forever.  To support my plan I will need 
2,500 wagons and 600 ambulances to carry my supplies.  Most of 
the supplies will be ammunition.  As I have other plans for 
feeding my soldiers.  Since I was promoted to Major General 
(two stars) on the 12th of this month I now seem to have more
authority to carry out my plans, but General Grant is my boss 
and he will make the final decision.  

William Tecumseh Sherman, Major General,
U.S. Army.