Canby and Thomas should penetrate Alabama as far as possible silver fashion ring, to keep employed at least a part of Hood's army; or, what would accomplish the same thing, Thomas might reoccupy the railroad from Chattanooga forward to the Etowah, viz, Rome, Kingston, and Allatoona, thereby threatening Georgia I know that the Georgia troops are disaffected At Savannah I met delegates from several counties of the southwest, who manifested a decidedly hostile spirit to the Confederate cause I nursed the feeling as far as possible, and instructed Grower to keep it up.
My left wing must now be at Sister's Ferry, crossing the Savannah River to the east bank Slocum has orders to be at Robertsville to-morrow, prepared to move on Barnwell Howard is here, all ready to start for the Augusta Railroad at Midway.
We find the enemy on the east aide of the Salkiehatchie, and cavalry in our front; but all give ground on our approach, and seem to be merely watching us If we start on Tuesday, in one week we shall be near Orangeburg, having broken up the Augusta road from the Edisto westward twenty or twenty-five miles I will be sure that every rail is twisted Should we encounter too much opposition near Orangeburg, then I will for a time neglect that branch, and rapidly move on Columbia, and fill up the triangle formed by the Congaree and Wateree (tributaries of the Santee), breaking up that great centre of the Carolina roads Up to that point I feel full confidence, but from there may have to manoeuvre some, and will be guided by the questions of weather and supplies.
You remember we had fine weather last February for our Meridian trip, and my memory of the weather at Charleston is, that February is usually a fine month Before the March storms come we should be within striking distance of the coast The months of April and May will be the best for operations from Goldsboro' to Raleigh and the Roanoke I know that this trip is necessary; it must be made sooner or later; I am on time, and in the right position for it.