The roads and wires were cut in every direction from the rebel capital.

Temporarily that city was cut off from all communication with the outside except by courier.

This condition of affairs, however, was of but short duration.
I wrote Halleck: NEAR SPOTTSYLVANIA C.H., May 16, 1864, 8 A.M.
MAJOR-GENERAL HALLECK, Washington, D.C.: We have had five days almost constant rain without any prospect yet of it clearing up.

The roads have now become so impassable that ambulances with wounded men can no longer run between here and Fredericksburg.

All offensive operations necessarily cease until we can have twenty-four hours of dry weather.