A public letter, which passed through the War Department.
A public letter? Why does it say "private and confidential?" Here's the letter:
To Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Butler
(Private & Confidential)*
Head Quarters of the Army, In Field Fortress Monroe Va Apl. 2d 1864 Maj. Gen. B. F. Butler, Comd.g Dept. of Va & N. Carolina, General,
In the spring campaign, which it is desirable shall commence at as early a day as practicable, it is proposed to have co-operative action of all the Armies in the field as far as this object can be accomplished. It will not be possible to unite our Armies into two or three large ones, to act as so many units, owing to the absolute necessity of holding on to the territory already taken from the enemy. But, generally speaking, concentration can be practically effected by Armies moving to the interior of the enemy's country from the territory they have to guard. By such movement they interpose themselves between the enemy and the country to be guarded, thereby reducing the numbers necessary to garrison important points and at least occupy the attention of a part of the enemy's force if no greater object is gained.
Lee's Army, and Richmond, being the greater objects towards which our attention must be directed in the next campaign it is desirable to unite all the force we can against them. The necessity for covering Washington, with the Army of the Potomac, and of covering your Dept. with your Army, makes it impossible to unite these forces at the beginning of any move. I propose therefore what comes nearest this of anything that seems practicable. The
Army of the Potomac will act from it present base, Lee's Army being the objective point. You will collect all the force from your command, that can be spared from Garrison duty, I should say not less than twenty thousand effective men, to operate on the south side of James River,
Richmond being your objective point.—To the force you already have will be added about ten thousand men from South Carolina under Maj. Gen. Gilmore who will command them in person. Maj. Gen. W. F. Smith is ordered to report to you to command the troops sent into the field from your own Dept.
Gen. Gilmore will be ordered to report to you at Fortress Monroe, with all his troops on transports, by the 18th inst. or as soon thereafter as practicable. Should you not receive notice by that time to move you will make such disposition of them, and your other forces, as you may deem best calculated to deceive the enemy ef as to the real move to be made.
When you are notified to move take City Point with as much force as possible. Fortify, or rather intrench, at once and concentrate all your troops for the field, there, as rapidly as you can.
From City Point directions cannot be given at this time for your further movements. The fact that has already been stated, that is, that
Richmond is to be your objective point, and that there is to be co-operation between your force and the Army of the Potomac must be your guide. This indicates the necessity of your holding close to the south bank of the James River as you advance.Then
should the enemy be forced into his intrenchments in Richmond the
Army of the Potomac would follow and by means of transports the two Armies would become a unit.
[Note the word "should!"] All the minor details of your advance are left entirely to your direction. If however you think it practicable to use your Cavalry south of you so as to cut the rail-road about Hicksford, about the time of the general advance, it would be of immense advantage.
You will please forward for my information at the earlyest practicable day all orders, details and instructions you may give for the execution of this order.
I am Gen. very respectfully
your obt. svt.
U. S. Grant
Lt. Gen Com