H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief. HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY WASHINGTON, D. C., October 20, 1868. Major-General GRANT, Louisville. GENERAL : In compliance with my promise, I now proceed to give you a brief statement of the objects aimed at by General Rosecrans and General Burnside's movement into East Tennessee, and of the measures directed to be taken to attain these objects. It has been the constant desire of the government, from the beginning of the war, to rescue the loyal inhabitants of East Tennessee from the hands of the rebels, who fully appreciated the importance of continuing their hold upon that country.

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