Porter's report of January 9, 1865.1
. . . I thought a good deal would be done by the explosion, but still I laid in a double allowance of shell and shot, and did not depend on a doubtful experiment. Starting as that expedition did, was not the way to make war . . .[no. 145. see page 827.]
As I am about leaving City Point to be absent for five or six days, I have just sent instructions to General Meade, of which the enclosed is a copy. These instructions contain all that is necessary for you, if the contingency upon which they are based should arise. All that I would add is that in case it should be necessary for you to withdraw from north of the James, you abandon all of your present lines except at Deep Bottom and Dutch Gap. Just occupy what you did prior to the movement which secured our present position. Preparatory to this, remove at once within the line to be held all heavy guns that cannot be drawn off readily. Open the rear of all enclosed works so that when we want to retake them they will not be directed against us. General Barnard, chief engineer in the field, by my direction, informed the chief engineer, Army of the James, of the work to be done in this respect.U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General.
The movements now being made by the army under General Sherman may cause General Lee to detach largely from the force defending Richmond, to meet him. Should this occur, it will become our duty to follow.
In such case the Army of the James will be promptly withdrawn from the mouth of the James River and put in the trenches about Petersburg, thus liberating all of your infantry and cavalry and a sufficient amount of artillery.
To prepare for such emergency, therefore, I would direct that you hold yourself in readiness to start in the shortest time, with twelve days rations, six being carried on the person, and forty rounds of ammunition in the wagons.
Select from your command the best batteries to accompany you, not exceeding one gun to one thousand men. It is not intended that these preparations shall be made to start at a moment's notice, but that the articles shall be where they can be reached and loaded and all preparations made for starting by the time your troops can be relieved by the troops of General Butler, after such movement on the part of the enemy is discovered.
A copy of this will be forwarded to General Butler with instructions to carry out his part promptly, moving night as well as day, if the contingency should arise.
