I would then strike for the Charleston & Wilmington Railroad, somewhere between the Santee and Cape Fear Rivers, and, if possible, communicate with the fleet under Admiral Dahlgren (whom I find a most agreeable gentleman, accommodating himself to our wishes and plans).

Then I would favor an attack on Wilmington, in the belief that Porter and Butler will fail in their present undertaking.

Charleston is now a mere desolated wreck, and is hardly worth the time it would take to starve it out.

Still, I am aware that, historically and politically, much importance is attached to the place, and it may be that, apart from its military importance, both you and the Administration may prefer I should give it more attention; and it would be well for you to give me some general idea on that subject, for otherwise I would treat it as I have expressed, as a point of little importance, after all its railroads leading into the interior have been destroyed or occupied by us.

But, on the hypothesis of ignoring Charleston and taking Wilmington, I would then favor a movement direct on Raleigh.