William Swinton, Campaigns of the Army of the Potomac

General Butler's instructions from General Grant prescribed Richmond as his objective point; but his operations were to be contingent upon the results achieved by the Army of the Potomac. The programme drawn up by the lieutenantgeneral for Butler's governance is indeed vague, and in some respects contradictory, and it is difficult to tell precisely what was expected of that officer. He was commanded first of all to intrench at City Point, which would indicate rather a defensive than an offensive purpose. Further instructions ordered him to move against Richmond by the south bank of the James, capturing it if possible, and if not, investing it on the south side so as to have his left resting on the James above Richmond. It is, however, clearly set forth in papers not embodied by General Grant in his official report, that Butler's action was to hinge on General Grant's own success; that he expected, after decisive action, either to defeat Lee or drive him into the intrenchments at Richmond; that he would then approach the Confederate capital from the direction of the north and west, and, swinging across the James, make a junction with Butler, whose signal for action was to be Grant's guns thundering on the north side. But, as Grant's guns were never heard thundering on the north side, it is a matter of less surprise that Butler also was foiled in his part. Moreover, I shall attempt to show that there was, in any event, very little likelihood that the James River column would meet what seem to have been General Grant's expectations.

An advance against Richmond by the south bank of the James placed that great river between the city and the assailants, and the defence of the points of passage could readily be maintained by the local garrison until strengthened to withstand attack. It is, however, unnecessary to discuss this problem in detail, as it is hardly possible that General Grant ever