On the 22d or 23d I received dispatches from Washington saying that Sherman had taken Kingston, crossed the Etowah River and was advancing into Georgia.

I was seated at the time on the porch of a fine plantation house waiting for Burnside’s corps to pass.  Meade and his staff, besides my own staff, were with me.  The lady of the house, a Mrs. Tyler, and an elderly lady, were present.  Burnside seeing us, came up on the porch, his big spurs and saber rattling as he walked.  He touched his hat politely to the ladies, and remarked that he supposed they had never seen so many “live Yankees” before in their lives.  The elderly lady spoke up promptly saying, “Oh yes, I have; many more.”  “Where?” said Burnside.  “In Richmond.”  Prisoners, of course, was understood.

I read my dispatch aloud, when it was received.  This threw the younger lady into tears.  I found the information she had received (and I suppose it was the information generally in circulation through the South) was that Lee was driving us from the State in the most demoralized condition and that in the South-west our troops were but little better than prisoners of war.  Seeing our troops moving south was ocular proof that a part of her information was incorrect, and she asked me if my news from Sherman was true.  I assured her that there was no doubt about it.  I left a guard to protect the house from intrusion until the troops should have all passed, and assured her that if her husband was in hiding she could bring him in and he should be protected also.  But I presume he was in the Confederate army.

On the 25th I gave orders, through Halleck, to Hunter, who had relieved Sigel, to move up the Valley of Virginia, cross over the Blue Ridge to Charlottesville and go as far as Lynchburg if possible, living upon the country and cutting the railroads and canal as he went.  After doing this he could find his way back to his base, or join me.

On the same day news was received that Lee was falling back on Richmond.  This proved not to be true.  But we could do nothing where we were unless Lee would assume the offensive.  I determined, therefore, to draw out of our present position and make one more effort to get between him and Richmond.  I had no expectation now, however, of succeeding in this; but I did expect to hold him far enough west to enable me to reach the James River high up.  Sheridan was now again with the Army of the Potomac.

On the 26th I informed the government at Washington of the position of the two armies; of the reinforcements the enemy had received; of the move I proposed to make (32); and directed that our base of supplies should be shifted to White House, on the Pamunkey.  The wagon train and guards moved directly from Port Royal to White House.  Supplies moved around by water, guarded by the navy.  Orders had previously been sent, through Halleck, for Butler to send Smith’s corps to White House.  This order was repeated on the 25th, with directions that they should be landed on the north side of the Pamunkey, and marched until they joined the Army of the Potomac.