City Point, Va. March 22d 1865
Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman,
Comd.g Mil. Div. of the Miss.
General,
Although the Richmond papers do not communicate the fact yet I saw enough in them to satisfy me that you occupied Goldsboro on the 19th inst. I congratulate you and the Army on what may be regarded as the sucsessful termination of the third Campaign since leaving the Tenn. river less than one year ago.
Since Sheridan’s very sucsessful raid North of the James the enemy are left dependent on the South Side and Danville roads for all of their supplies. These I hope to cut next week. Sheridan is at “White House” shoeing up and resting his Cavalry. I expect him to finish by Friday night and to start the following morning via Long Bridge, New Market, Bermuda Hundred and the extreme left of the Army around Petersburg. He will make no halt with the Armies operating here, but will be joined by a Division of Cav.y, 5500 strong, from the Army of the Potomac, and will proceed directly to the S. S. & Danville roads. His instructions will be to strike the S. S. road as near Petersburg as he can and destroy it so that it cannot be repaired for three or four days, and push on to the Danville road as near to the Appomattox as he can get. Then I want him to destroy the road towards Burkesville as far as he can; then push on to the S. S. road, West of Burkesville, and destroy it effectually. From that point I shall probably leave it to his discretion either to return to this Army crossing the Danville road South of Burkeville, or go and join you passing between Danville and Greensboro?
When this movement commences I shall move out by my left with all the force I can, holding present intrenched lines. I shall start with no distinct view further than holding Lee’s forces from following Sheridan. But I shall be along myself and will take advantage of any thing that turns up. If Lee detaches I will attack or if he comes out of his lines I will endeavor to repulse him and follow it up to the best advantage. It is most difficult to understand what the rebels intend to do. So far but few troops have been detached from Lee’s Army. Much Machinery has been removed and materiel has been sent to Lynchburg showing a disposition to go there. Points too have been fortified on the Danville road.
Lee’s Army is much demoralized and are deserting in great numbers. Probably from returned prisoners and such conscripts as can be picked up his numbers may be kept up. I estimate his force now at about 65.000 men.
Wilson started on Monday with 12.000 Cavalry from Eastport. Stoneman started on the same day from East Tenn. toward Lynchburg. Thomas is moving the 4th Corps to Bulls Gap. Canby is moving with a formidable force on Mobile and the interior of Alabama.
I ordered Gilmore, as soon as the fall of Charleston was known, to hold all important posts on the Seacoast and to send to Wilmington all surplus forces. Thomas was also directed to forward to New Berne all troops belonging to the corps with you. I understand this will give you about 5000 men besides those brought East by Meagher.
I have been telegraphing Gen. Meigs to hasten up locomotives and cars for you. Gen. McCallum he informs me is attending to it. I fear they are not going forward as fast as I would like.
Let me know if you want more troops or anything else.
Very respectfully
your obt. svt.
U. S. GRANT
Lt. Gn.