Fort Fisher, you are aware, has been captured.  We have a force there of eight thousand effective.  At New Bern about half the number.  It is rumored, through deserters, that Wilmington also has fallen.  I am inclined to believe the rumor, because on the 17th we knew the enemy were blowing up their works about Fort Caswell, and that on the 18th Terry moved on Wilmington.

If Wilmington is captured, Schofield will go there.  If not, he will be sent to New Bern.  In either event, all the surplus forces at the two points will move to the interior toward Goldsboro’ in co-operation with your movements.  From either point, railroad communications can be run out, there being here abundance of rolling-stock suited to the gauge of those roads.

There have been about sixteen thousand men sent from Lee’s army south.  Of these, you will have fourteen thousand against you, if Wilmington is not held by the enemy, casualties at Fort Fisher having overtaken about two thousand.

All these troops are subject to your orders as you come in communication with them.  They will be so instructed.  From about Richmond I will watch Lee closely, and if he detaches much more, or attempts to evacuate, will pitch in.  In the meantime, should you be brought to a halt anywhere, I can send two corps of thirty thousand effective men to your support, from the troops about Richmond.

To resume:  Canby is ordered to operate to the interior from the Gulf.  A. J. Smith may go from the north, but I think it doubtful.  A force of twenty-eight or thirty thousand will co-operate with you from New Bern or Wilmington, or both.  You can call for reinforcements.

This will be handed you by Captain Hudson, of my staff, who will return with any message you may have for me.  If there is anything I can do for you in the way of having supplies on ship-board, at any point on the sea-coast, ready for you, let me know it.

Yours truly, U. S. Grant, Lieut.-General.

I had written on the 18th of January to General Sherman, giving him the news of the battle of Nashville.  He was much pleased at the result, although, like myself, he had been very much disappointed at Thomas for permitting Hood to cross the Tennessee River and nearly the whole State of Tennessee, and come to Nashville to be attacked there.  He, however, as I had done, sent Thomas a warm congratulatory letter.

On the 10th of January, 1865, the resolutions of thanks to Sherman and his army passed by Congress were approved.

Sherman, after the capture, at once had the debris cleared up, commencing the work by removing the piling and torpedoes from the river, and taking up all obstructions.  He had then intrenched the city, so that it could be held by a small garrison.  By the middle of January all his work was done, except the accumulation of supplies to commence his movement with.