CITY POINT, VA., August 18,
1864.
Major-General SHERMAN:
Richmond papers of the 17th give it as the opinion of
military men that Atlanta can hold out one month yet. In the mean time, like
Micawber, they expect something to turn up. If you can hold fast as you are now
and prevent raids upon your rear you will destroy most of that army. I never
would advise going backward even if your roads are cut so as to preclude the
possibility of receiving supplies from the North, but would recommend the
accumulation of ordnance stores and supplies while you can, and if it comes to
the worst move south as you suggested. I have forced the enemy to move a large
force north of the James River, and am now moving one corps by our left around
Petersburg. I expect no great results, but will probably cut the Weldon road
again, and will also demonstrate to the enemy that he has now the minimum
garrison possible to hold his present lines with, and that to hold his roads he
must re-enforce.
U.S. GRANT,
Lieutenant-General
SOURCE: The
War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and
Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 38, Part 5 (Serial No. 76), p. 569
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