Every mile he advanced also gave us possession of stores on which Lee relied.

Butler was to advance by the James River, having Richmond and Petersburg as his objective.
Before the advance commenced I visited Butler at Fort Monroe.

This was the first time I had ever met him.

Before giving him any order as to the part he was to play in the approaching campaign I invited his views.
They were very much such as I intended to direct, and as I did direct (*24), in writing, before leaving.
General W.F.Smith, who had been promoted to the rank of major-general shortly after the battle of Chattanooga on my recommendation, had not yet been confirmed.

I found a decided prejudice against his confirmation by a majority of the Senate, but I insisted that his services had been such that he should be rewarded.