Too much credit cannot be given to the troops and their commanders for the energy and fortitude displayed during the last five days.  Day and night has been all the same, no delays being allowed on any account.

U. S. GRANT,
Lieut.-General.

(38) CITY POINT, VA., July 24, 1864.

MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE,
Commanding, etc.

The engineer officers who made a survey of the front from Bermuda Hundred report against the probability of success from an attack there.  The chances they think will be better on Burnside’s front.  If this is attempted it will be necessary to concentrate all the force possible at the point in the enemy’s line we expect to penetrate.  All officers should be fully impressed with the absolute necessity of pushing entirely beyond the enemy’s present line, if they should succeed in penetrating it, and of getting back to their present line promptly if they should not succeed in breaking through.

To the right and left of the point of assault all the artillery possible should be brought to play upon the enemy in front during the assault.  Their lines would be sufficient for the support of the artillery, and all the reserves could be brought on the flanks of their commands nearest to the point of assault, ready to follow in if successful.  The field artillery and infantry held in the lines during the first assault should be in readiness to move at a moment’s notice either to their front or to follow the main assault, as they should receive orders.  One thing, however, should be impressed on corps commanders.  If they see the enemy giving away on their front or moving from it to reinforce a heavily assaulted portion of their line, they should take advantage of such knowledge and act promptly without waiting for orders from army commanders.  General Ord can co-operate with his corps in this movement, and about five thousand troops from Bermuda Hundred can be sent to reinforce you or can be used to threaten an assault between the Appomattox and James rivers, as may be deemed best.

This should be done by Tuesday morning, if done at all.  If not attempted, we will then start at the date indicated to destroy the railroad as far as Hicksford at least, and to Weldon if possible.

* * * * * * *

Whether we send an expedition on the road or assault at
Petersburg, Burnside’s mine will be blown up....

U. S. GRANT,
Lieutenant-General.

(39) See letter, August 5th, Appendix.

(40) See Appendix, letters of Oct. 11th.

(41) CITY POINT, VA., December 2,1864.

MAJOR-GENERAL THOMAS,
Nashville Tenn.

If Hood is permitted to remain quietly about Nashville, you will lose all the road back to Chattanooga and possibly have to abandon the line of the Tennessee.  Should he attack you it is all well, but if he does not you should attack him before he fortifies.  Arm and put in the trenches your quartermaster employees, citizens, etc.