They, too, were waiting for dry roads, or a condition of the roads which would make it possible to move.
General Lee, in aid of his plan of escape, and to secure a wider opening to enable them to reach the Danville Road with greater security than he would have in the way the two armies were situated, determined upon an assault upon the right of our lines around Petersburg.

The night of the 24th of March was fixed upon for this assault, and General Gordon was assigned to the execution of the plan.

The point between Fort Stedman and Battery No.

10, where our lines were closest together, was selected as the point of his attack.

The attack was to be made at night, and the troops were to get possession of the higher ground in the rear where they supposed we had intrenchments, then sweep to the right and left, create a panic in the lines of our army, and force me to contract my lines.