Quite an angry correspondence grew up between us, which was published at the time in the newspapers, but it is not to be found in any book of which I have present knowledge, and therefore is given here, as illustrative of the events referred to, and of the feelings of the actors in the game of war at that particular crisis, together with certain other original letters of Generals Grant and Halleck, never hitherto published.
HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES CITY POINT, VIRGINIA, September 12, 1864 Major-General W.T.SHERMAN, commanding Military Division of the Mississippi GENERAL: I send Lieutenant-Colonel Horace Porter, of my staff, with this.

Colonel Porter will explain to you the exact condition of affairs here, better than I can do in the limits of a letter.
Although I feel myself strong enough now for offensive operations, I am holding on quietly, to get advantage of recruits and convalescents, who are coming forward very rapidly.

My lines are necessarily very long, extending from Deep Bottom, north of the James, across the peninsula formed by the Appomattox and the James, and south of the Appomattox to the Weldon road.

This line is very strongly fortified, and can be held with comparatively few men; but, from its great length, necessarily takes many in the aggregate.

I propose, when I do move, to extend my left so as to control what is known as the Southside, or Lynchburg & Petersburg road; then, if possible, to keep the Danville road out.