I think it advisable, therefore, that you prepare as much of a cavalry force as you can spare, and hold it in readiness to go south.

The object would be threefold: first, to attract as much of the enemy's force as possible, to insure success to Canby; second, to destroy the enemy's line of communications and military resources; third, to destroy or capture their forces brought into the field.

Tuscaloosa and Selma would probably be the points to direct the expedition against.

This, however, would not be so important as the mere fact of penetrating deep into Alabama.

Discretion should be left to the officer commanding the expedition to go where, according to the information he may receive, he will best secure the objects named above.
"Now that your force has been so much depleted, I do not know what number of men you can put into the field.