Benjamnin F. Butler, Butler's Book: Autobiography and Personal Reminiscences of Major-General Benjamin Butler

[629] I could so far hoodwink Lee and his officers that they would believe I was there fifty miles away from Richmond for the purpose of joining Grant's army. I could gather the water craft to transport my army from Yorktown, Gloucester, and Fortress Monroe in twenty-four hours, so as to be up the James River at City Point and Bermuda before the enemy knew that I was moving in that direction. I explained to him in great detail every step that I proposed to take to do this, and thus showed him every one by which I afterwards did that very thing.

He at first said it was impossible, but I so far convinced him that he agreed that the enterprise should be undertaken, and that he himself would move upon the quartermaster-general to allow me to procure my own transportation so that I might make the expedition secretly. He pressed upon me over and over again that my objective point must be Richmond, and that I must be there on the south side within ten days after his march began, as he would be there on the north side of the James to join me.

General Grant further informed me that General Banks was moving up Red River, and had been ordered to get through within a limited time, so that if I needed additional force, a part of his army would be ordered to reinforce me instead of moving against Mobile.

He said that it was particularly desirable that I should have the Weldon Railroad cut at Hicksford, as that would prevent reinforcements coming from the South and supplies from reaching Richmond, so that we should be able the more easily to starve Lee out.

He remained some three days examining into the details of the proposed campaign, studying with care the topography of the country around Richmond, with which he seemed to have no acquaintance, and discussing matters of the exchange of prisoners.

One thing he impressed upon me: that I must be sure to hold City Point in any event, and make Bermuda impregnable; so that if he failed in turning the left flank of General Lee and driving him back into Richmond, he could march with his own army by the left flank across the James and join me at City Point.

I insert his orders. Let them tell the story of that planned campaign, which was carried out in every point by the Army of the James, and in no single particular by the Army of the Potomac, save that they came down to take advantage of the refuge we had prepared for them.