As a reward for the Union victory at the battle of Chattanooga, both
Grant and Sherman were promoted. First, on March 9, 1864, Grant was
promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General. On March 12, 1864, he was
placed in command of all the Union forces throughout the United States.
The order which placed Grant in this latter position was presented to
him by President Lincoln. At this time Sherman was in Nashville,
Tennessee. Grant left Washington immediately to join Sherman. Before
leaving Washington, Grant had recommended the appointment of Sherman to
his late position. On March 18, 1864, Sherman assumed command of the
Military Division of the Mississippi—Grant’s former command. This
embraced the Departments of the Ohio, Cumberland, Tennessee and Arkansas
commanded by Major-Generals Schofield, Thomas, McPherson and Steele,
respectively. Grant left Nashville on the night of the 18th, going east
to take over his new command. He was accompanied by Sherman as far as
Cincinnati in order that they might discuss some private details as to
future plans. Sherman returned to Nashville on March 25th. On April
28th, Sherman moved his headquarters to Chattanooga. On May 5th, Sherman
left Chattanooga on the Atlanta Campaign. The movement of his army
followed the exact route which Highway No. 41 follows today from
Chattanooga to Atlanta, with battles and skirmishes all along the way.
After the fall of Atlanta on September 2, 1864, Sherman made final
preparations for his “March to the Sea.” Leaving Atlanta November 16th,
his army moved southward to Savannah, the Union forces entering this
city December 22nd. On February 1, 1865, Sherman left Savannah on the
Carolina Campaign which carried him through North and South Carolina. He
then joined Grant in Virginia, the Civil War soon came to a close.
[Illustration: Decorative glyph]