R.R., destroying this way as much as possible.

The complete destruction of this road and of the canal on James River is of great importance to us.
According to the instructions I sent to General Halleck for your guidance, you were to proceed to Lynchburg and commence there.

It would be of great value to us to get possession of Lynchburg for a single day.

But that point is of so much importance to the enemy, that in attempting to get it such resistance may be met as to defeat your getting onto the road or canal at all.

I see, in looking over the letter to General Halleck on the subject of your instructions, that it rather indicates that your route should be from Staunton via Charlottesville.