U. S. GRANT,
Lieutenant-General.

CITY POINT, VA., December 2, 1864.—­1.30 P.M.

MAJOR-GENERAL THOMAS,
Nashville, Tenn.

With your citizen employees armed, you can move out of Nashville with all your army and force the enemy to retire or fight upon ground of your own choosing.  After the repulse of Hood at Franklin, it looks to me that instead of falling back to Nashville we should have taken the offensive against the enemy where he was.  At this distance, however, I may err as to the best method of dealing with the enemy.  You will now suffer incalculable injury upon your railroads if Hood is not speedily disposed of.  Put forth therefore every possible exertion to attain this end.  Should you get him to retreating give him no peace.

U. S. GRANT,
Lieutenant-General.

CITY POINT, VA., December 5, 1864.

MAJOR-GENERAL THOMAS,
Nashville, Tenn.

Is there not danger of Forrest moving down the Cumberland to where he can cross it?  It seems to me whilst you should be getting up your cavalry as rapidly as possible to look after Forrest, Hood should be attacked where he is.  Time strengthens him in all possibility as much as it does you.

U. S. GRANT,
Lieutenant-General.

CITY POINT, VA., December 6, 1864—­4 P.M.

MAJOR-GENERAL THOMAS,
Nashville, Tenn.

Attack Hood at once and wait no longer for a remnant of your cavalry.  There is great danger of delay resulting in a campaign back to the Ohio River.

U. S. GRANT,
Lieutenant-General.

CITY POINT, VA., December 8, 1864.—­8.30 P.M.

MAJOR-GENERAL THOMAS,
Nashville, Tenn.

Your dispatch of yesterday received.  It looks to me evident the enemy are trying to cross the Cumberland River, and are scattered.  Why not attack at once?  By all means avoid the contingency of a foot race to see which, you or Hood, can beat to the Ohio.  If you think necessary call on the governors of States to send a force into Louisville to meet the enemy if he should cross the river.  You clearly never should cross except in rear of the enemy.  Now is one of the finest opportunities ever presented of destroying one of the three armies of the enemy.  If destroyed he never can replace it.  Use the means at your command, and you can do this and cause a rejoicing that will resound from one end of the land to the other.

U. S. GRANT,
Lieutenant-General.

CITY POINT, VA., December 11, 1864.—­4 P.M.

MAJOR-GENERAL THOMAS,
Nashville, Tenn.

If you delay attack longer the mortifying spectacle will be witnessed of a rebel army moving for the Ohio River, and you will be forced to act, accepting such weather as you find.  Let there be no further delay.  Hood cannot even stand a drawn battle so far from his supplies of ordnance stores.  If he retreats and you follow, he must lose his material and much of his army.  I am in hopes of receiving a dispatch from you to-day announcing that you have moved.  Delay no longer for weather or reinforcements.