I have said all I can to force him to attack, without giving the positive order until to-day.
To-day, however, I could stand it no longer, and gave the order without any reserve.

I think the battle will take place to-morrow.
The result will probably be known in New York before Colonel Babcock (the bearer of this) will leave it.

Colonel Babcock will give you full information of all operations now in progress.
Very respectfully your obedient servant, U.S.GRANT, Lieutenant-General.
The contents of these letters gave me great uneasiness, for I had set my heart on the capture of Savannah, which I believed to be practicable, and to be near; for me to embark for Virginia by sea was so complete a change from what I had supposed would be the course of events that I was very much concerned.

I supposed, as a matter of course, that a fleet of vessels would soon pour in, ready to convey the army to Virginia, and as General Grant's orders contemplated my leaving the cavalry, trains, and artillery, behind, I judged Fort McAllister to be the best place for the purpose, and sent my chief-engineer, Colonel Poe, to that fort, to reconnoitre the ground, and to prepare it so as to make a fortified camp large enough to accommodate the vast herd of mules and horses that would thus be left behind.

And as some time might be required to collect the necessary shipping, which I estimated at little less than a hundred steamers and sailing-vessels, I determined to push operations, in hopes to secure the city of Savannah before the necessary fleet could be available.