Lee has depleted his army but very little recently, and I learn of none going south.  Some regiments may have been detached, but I think no division or brigade.  The determination seems to be to hold Richmond as long as possible.  I have a force sufficient to leave enough to hold our lines (all that is necessary of them), and move out with plenty to whip his whole army.  But the roads are entirely impassable.  Until they improve, I shall content myself with watching Lee, and be prepared to pitch into him if he attempts to evacuate the place.  I may bring Sheridan over—­think I will —­and break up the Danville and Southside Railroads.  These are the last avenues left to the enemy.

Recruits have come in so rapidly at the West that Thomas has now about as much force as he had when he attacked Hood.  I have stopped all who, under previous orders, would go to him, except those from Illinois.

Fearing the possibility of the enemy falling back to Lynchburg, and afterward attempting to go into East Tennessee or Kentucky, I have ordered Thomas to move the Fourth Corps to Bull’s Gap, and to fortify there, and to hold out to the Virginia line, if he can.  He has accumulated a large amount of supplies in Knoxville, and has been ordered not to destroy any of the railroad west of the Virginia Hue.  I told him to get ready for a campaign toward Lynchburg, if it became necessary.  He never can make one there or elsewhere; but the steps taken will prepare for any one else to take his troops and come east or go toward Rome, whichever may be necessary.  I do not believe either will.

When I hear that you and Schofield are together, with your back upon the coast, I shall feel that you are entirely safe against any thing the enemy can do.  Lee may evacuate Richmond, but he cannot get there with force enough to touch you.  His army is now demoralized and deserting very fast, both to us and to their homes.  A retrograde movement would cost him thousands of men, even if we did not follow.

Five thousand men, belonging to the corps with you, are now on their way to join you.  If more reenforcements are necessary, I will send them.  My notion is, that you should get Raleigh as soon as possible, and hold the railroad from there back.  This may take more force than you now have.

From that point all North Carolina roads can be made useless to the enemy, without keeping up communications with the rear.

Hoping to hear soon of your junction with the forces from Wilmington and Newborn, I remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General.

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI IN THE FIELD, COX’S BRIGADE, NEUSE RIVER, NORTH CAROLINA, March 22, 1865

Lieutenant-General U. S. GRANT, Commander-in-Chief, City Point, Virginia.