McClellan, Lee, Grant, Sherman Documents

These documents offer a deeper understanding of the will of each side to endure the hardships of war and see the conflict through to its finality. The first document written by George McClellan to President Lincoln addressed how the Union should approach the impending war. McClellan told Lincoln things the President was surely already aware of. Lincoln probably didn't need reminding about the principles that the Union stood for and the he held constitutional powers to preserve law and order in all the states. Still, McClellan reminded Lincoln that he should lay out "a system of policy thus constitutional and conservative and pervaded by the influences of Christianity and freedom." Conversely, Robert E. Lee wrote to President Stephens about Confederate victories in somewhat of a confident and boastful tone. After writing to Stephens about their recent victories, Lee wrote again to Stephens to convince him that the Confederate army should attack Maryland and go on the offensive in order to keep the pressure on the Union. He also petitioned to Stephens for ammunition and shoes in order to continue the effective assault of the Union.
The next document, written by Ulysses S. Grant was his recollection of the eve of the Overland Campaign. He admitted in this document his realization that the capture of the Confederate capital was not to happen without great losses. Grant wrote that since there had been such fierce fighting on both sides for so long, there had to be a final end - no matter the cost.
Finally, General Sherman warned that the people living in Atlanta had better prepare to vacate because war was imminent. Sherman wrote, "War is cruelty, and you cannot refine it; and those who brought war into our country deserve all the curses and maledictions a people can pour out." He chided those in the south for continuing the fight and said that, "the war was done in error and is perpetuated in pride." He ended by telling those in the south that the Union was not interested in confiscating their possessions or gaining anything at their expense, they simply wanted them to obey the law and if it took the destruction of their land, homes and bodies, then it must be so in order to preserve reconciliation. After this stern and frightening warning, Sherman assured Southerners that after the conflict, he'd be their friend, but not until they were willing to give up the fight.