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[784]

On the same day I received a telegram requiring me to mass the troops that I had gathered for the expedition, and to stand ready to aid General Grant in a movement that he proposed to make, and to blow out Dutch Gap Canal.1 I answered at once that orders had been given to carry out these instructions.

On the 7th of December my chief of staff received a telegram from my quartermaster, Colonel Dodge, that he could furnish certain meagre transportation.2 This showed me that the transportation furnished by General Grant's quartermaster was deficient, for four of the largest boats were behind on that date, and it will also show who, if anybody in the army, was delaying the expedition at that time. My troops were ready on the 6th.

On the 7th, also, I received the following from General Grant in relation to the instructions I had issued, a copy of which had been forwarded to him for his approval:--

headquarters armies of the U. S., City Point, Va., Dec. 7, 1864.
Major-General B. F. Butler, Commanding Army of the James:
I had sent you a cipher despatch before receiving your instructions to General Weitzel. I think it advisable that all embarkation should take place at Bermuda. The number of intrenching tools I think should be increased three or four times.

U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General.

The number of intrenching tools was increased. To get additional transportation I sent word to Colonel Dodge that the Baltic was at Annapolis, and could be had.3 That fact I knew because the Baltic had reported to me at Annapolis with released prisoners. Receiving information from Colonel Dodge in the evening of December 7, that he was now fully prepared to ship the troops, I telegraphed General Grant that General Weitzel's command was encamped at Signal Tower awaiting orders, and that Porter would be ready the next day.4 On the same day I received a despatch from General Grant instructing me to let Weitzel get off as soon as possible, and stating that he did not want the navy to wait an hour.5 I transmitted

1 See Appendix No. 108.

2 See Appendix No. 109.

3 See Appendix No. 110.

4 See Appendix No. 111.

5 See Appendix No. 112.

A. M. Thayer and Co. 1892.

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