I was firmly convinced that Sherman's crossing the Roanoke would be the signal for Lee to leave.

With Johnston and him combined, a long, tedious, and expensive campaign, consuming most of the summer, might become necessary.

By moving out I would put the army in better condition for pursuit, and would at least, by the destruction of the Danville Road, retard the concentration of the two armies of Lee and Johnston, and cause the enemy to abandon much material that he might otherwise save.

I therefore determined not to delay the movement ordered.
On the night of the 27th, Major-General Ord, with two divisions of the 24th corps, Major-General Gibbon commanding, and one division of the 25th corps, Brigadier-General Birney commanding, and MacKenzie's cavalry, took up his line of march in pursuance of the foregoing instructions, and reached the position assigned him near Hatcher's Run on the morning of the 29th.

On the 28th the following instructions were given to General Sheridan: "CITY POINT, VA., March 28, 1865.
"GENERAL:--The 5th army corps will move by the Vaughn Road at three A.M.
to-morrow morning.