12, 1864.
MAJOR-GENERAL W.T.SHERMAN, Commanding Mill Division of the Mississippi.
I send Lieutenant-Colonel 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 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 takes many in the aggregate.