—"Scouts report Hood's trenches before Atlanta are impregnable—carefully considering a flank movement—but as yet, I cannot find the position or strength of Hood's second line——" W. T. Sherman——
[Pauses.]
Grant's deadlocked with Lee at Petersburg—If-Sherman-could-only-give-us-Atlanta!——
[Pauses.]
I've a notion to telegraph Sherman an order direct——!
Nicolay
I wouldn't go over General Grant's head, sir, with a military order—he's sensitive——
Lincoln
It might make trouble—Grant might resent my interference with his plan of campaign——
Nicolay