The mine was constructed and ready to be exploded, and I wanted to take that occasion to carry Petersburg if I could.

It was the object, therefore, to get as many of Lee's troops away from the south side of the James River as possible.
Accordingly, on the 26th, we commenced a movement with Hancock's corps and Sheridan's cavalry to the north side by the way of Deep Bottom, where Butler had a pontoon bridge laid.

The plan, in the main, was to let the cavalry cut loose and, joining with Kautz's cavalry of the Army of the James, get by Lee's lines and destroy as much as they could of the Virginia Central Railroad, while, in the mean time, the infantry was to move out so as to protect their rear and cover their retreat back when they should have got through with their work.

We were successful in drawing the enemy's troops to the north side of the James as I expected.

The mine was ordered to be charged, and the morning of the 30th of July was the time fixed for its explosion.