Sherman's movements, I had no doubt, would attract the attention of all the force the enemy could collect, and facilitate the execution of this.

General Stoneman was so late in making his start on this expedition (and Sherman having passed out of the State of South Carolina), on the 27th of February I directed General Thomas to change his course, and order him to repeat his raid of last fall, destroying the railroad towards Lynchburg as far as he could.
This would keep him between our garrisons in East Tennessee and the enemy.

I regarded it not impossible that in the event of the enemy being driven from Richmond, he might fall back to Lynchburg and attempt a raid north through East Tennessee.

On the 14th of February the following communication was sent to General Thomas: "CITY POINT, VA., February 14, 1865.
"General Canby is preparing a movement from Mobile Bay against Mobile and the interior of Alabama.

His force will consist of about twenty thousand men, besides A.J.