Use the means at your command, and you can do this and cause a rejoicing that will resound from one end of the land to the other.
U.S.GRANT, Lieutenant-General.
CITY POINT, VA., December 11, 1864 .-- 4 P.M.
MAJOR-GENERAL THOMAS, Nashville, Tenn.
If you delay attack longer the mortifying spectacle will be witnessed of a rebel army moving for the Ohio River, and you will be forced to act, accepting such weather as you find.

Let there be no further delay.

Hood cannot even stand a drawn battle so far from his supplies of ordnance stores.

If he retreats and you follow, he must lose his material and much of his army.

I am in hopes of receiving a dispatch from you to-day announcing that you have moved.