CITY POINT, VA., August
26, 1864—2.30
p.m.
(Received 12.10 a.m. 27th.)
Major-General SHERIDAN,
Halltown, Va.:
I telegraphed you that I had good reason for believing that
Fitz Lee had been ordered back here. I now think it likely that all troops will
be ordered back from the Valley except what they believe to be the minimum
number to detain you. My reason for supposing this is based upon the fact that
yielding up the Weldon road seems to be a blow to the enemy he cannot stand. I
think I do not overstate the loss of the enemy in the last two weeks at 10,000
killed and wounded. We have lost heavily, mostly in captured, when the enemy
gained temporary advantages. Watch closely, and if you find this theory correct
push with all vigor. Give the enemy no rest, and if it is possible to follow to
the Virginia Central road, follow that far. Do all the damage to railroads and
crops you can. Carry off stock of all descriptions, and negroes, so as to
prevent further planting. If the war is to last another year, we want the
Shenandoah Valley to remain a barren waste.
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 43, Part 1 (Serial No. 90), p. 916-7
