Adam Badeau, Military history of Ulysses S. Grant from April 1861 to April 1865. Volume 3

[442] of the river and at Bermuda Hundred. To the force which Sheridan had brought from the Valley, was added the cavalry of the army of the Potomac, under Crook, and eventually about fifteen hundred troopers belonging to Ord. It was then reported to the general-in-chief that Meade could move with sixty thousand effective men, Ord with seventeen thousand, and Sheridan with twelve thousand; in all about ninety thousand soldiers. This was Grant's disposable force.

The object of the operation was announced to the principal commanders in identical language. ‘On the 29th instant,’ said Grant, ‘the armies operating against Richmond will be moved by our left, for the double purpose of turning the enemy out of his present position around Petersburg, and to ensure the success of the cavalry under General Sheridan, . . . in its effort to reach and destroy the Southside and Danville roads.’ ¹ First of all, Ord was to proceed on the night of the 27th, to the left of the army of the Potomac, and relieve the Second corps, now under the command of Humphreys.² On the morning of the 29th, Warren and Humphreys were to move in two columns, taking the roads crossing Hatcher's run nearest the national lines, and both marching at first in a south-westerly direction. At the same time Sheridan, advancing by the Weldon and Jerusalem plank roads far enough south to avoid the infantry, was to pass through Dinwiddie, and then turn to the north and west against the right and rear of the enemy. The Sixth corps would remain in