Since Sheridan’s very successful raid north of the James, the enemy are left dependent on the Southside and Danville roads for all their supplies.  These I hope to cut next week.  Sheridan is at White House, “shoeing up” and resting his cavalry.  I expect him to finish by Friday night and to start the following morning, raid Long Bridge, Newmarket, Bermuda Hundred, and the extreme left of the army around Petersburg.  He will make no halt with the armies operating here, but will be joined by a division of cavalry, five thousand five hundred strong, from the Army of the Potomac, and will proceed directly to the Southside and Danville roads.  His instructions will be to strike the Southside road as near Petersburg as he can, and destroy it so that it cannot be repaired for three or four days, and push on to the Danville road, as near to the Appomattox as he can get.  Then I want him to destroy the road toward Burkesville as far as he can; then push on to the Southside road, west of Burkesville, and destroy it effectually.  From that point I shall probably leave it to his discretion either to return to this army, crossing the Danville road south of Burkesville, or go and join you, passing between Danville and Greensboro’.  When this movement commences I shall move out by my left, with all the force I can, holding present intrenched lines.  I shall start with no distinct view, further than holding Lee’s forces from following Sheridan.  But I shall be along myself, and will take advantage of any thing that turns up.  If Lee detaches, I will attack; or if he comes out of his lines I will endeavor to repulse him, and follow it up to the best advantage.

It is most difficult to understand what the rebels intend to do; so far but few troops have been detached from Lee’s army.  Much machinery has been removed, and material has been sent to Lynchburg, showing a disposition to go there.  Points, too, have been fortified on the Danville road.

Lee’s army is much demoralized, and great numbers are deserting.  Probably, from returned prisoners, and such conscripts as can be picked up, his numbers may be kept up.  I estimate his force now at about sixty-five thousand men.

Wilson started on Monday, with twelve thousand cavalry, from Eastport.  Stoneman started on the same day, from East Tennessee, toward Lynchburg.  Thomas is moving the Fourth Corps to Bull’s Gap.  Canby is moving with a formidable force on Mobile and the interior of Alabama.

I ordered Gilmore, as soon as the fall of Charleston was known, to hold all important posts on the sea-coast, and to send to Wilmington all surplus forces.  Thomas was also directed to forward to Newbern all troops belonging to the corps with you.  I understand this will give you about five thousand men, besides those brought east by Meagher.

I have been telegraphing General Meigs to hasten up locomotives and cars for you.  General McCallum, he informs me, is attending to it.  I fear they are not going forward as fast as I world like.