Expecting the arrival of the 18th corps by Monday night, if you deem it practicable from the force you have to seize and hold Petersburg, you may prepare to start, on the arrival of troops to hold your present lines.  I do not want Petersburg visited, however, unless it is held, nor an attempt to take it, unless you feel a reasonable degree of confidence of success.  If you should go there, I think troops should take nothing with them except what they can carry, depending upon supplies being sent after the place is secured.  If Colonel Dent should not succeed in securing the requisite amount of transportation for the 18th corps before reaching you, please have the balance supplied.

U. S. Grant, Lieut.-General.

P. S.—­On reflection I will send the 18th corps by way of White House.  The distance which they will have to march will be enough shorter to enable them to reach you about the same time, and the uncertainty of navigation on the Chickahominy will be avoided.

U. S. Grant.

Cold harbor, Va., June 11,1864.

Major-general G. G. Meade, Commanding Army of the Potomac.

Colonel Comstock, who visited the James River for the purpose of ascertaining the best point below Bermuda Hundred to which to march the army has not yet returned.  It is now getting so late, however, that all preparations may be made for the move to-morrow night without waiting longer.

The movement will be made as heretofore agreed upon, that is, the 18th corps make a rapid march with the infantry alone, their wagons and artillery accompanying the balance of the army to Cole’s Landing or Ferry, and there embark for City Point, losing no time for rest until they reach the latter point.

The 5th corps will seize Long Bridge and move out on the Long Bridge Road to its junction with Quaker Road, or until stopped by the enemy.

The other three corps will follow in such order as you may direct, one of them crossing at Long Bridge, and two at Jones’s Bridge.  After the crossing is effected, the most practicable roads will be taken to reach about Fort Powhattan.  Of course, this is supposing the enemy makes no opposition to our advance.  The 5th corps, after securing the passage of the balance of the army, will join or follow in rear of the corps which crosses the same bridge with themselves.  The wagon trains should be kept well east of the troops, and if a crossing can be found, or made lower down than Jones’s they should take it.

U. S. Grant, Lieut.-General.

P. S.—­In view of the long march to reach Cole’s Landing, and the uncertainty of being able to embark a large number of men there, the direction of the 18th corps may be changed to White House.  They should be directed to load up transports, and start them as fast as loaded without waiting for the whole corps or even whole divisions to go together.