ments." This looks like the McClellan and Rosecrans strategy of do nothing and let the rebels raid the country. The President wishes you to consider the matter.

E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

CITY POINT, VA., December 2, 1864-1 p. m.

Honorable E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War, Washington:

Immediately on receipt of Thomas's dispatch I sent him a dispatch, which no doubt you read as it passed through the office.*

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

CITY POINT, VA., December 2, 1864-7.30 p. m.

Honorable E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

Do you not think it advisable to authorize Wilson to press horses and mares in Kentucky to mount his cavalry, giving owners receipts so they can get their pay? It looks as if Forrest will flank around Thomas until Thomas is equal to him in cavalry.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

December 2, 1864-9 p. m.

Lieutenant-General GRANT:

General Thomas ought to seize horses and everything else he needs. It has been [done] heretofore, and he surely cannot be hesitating about it. The officer in command at Louisville should also seize or Thomas send some one to do so for him.

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

CITY POINT, VA., December 2, 1864-9.30 p. m.

Honorable EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

If you agree with me I would like that Thomas be directed to assign Couch to the command of Kentucky. The reports from there show conclusively that Burbridge should not be retained.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

CITY POINT, VA., December 2, 1864-10 p. m.

(Received 10.45 p. m.)

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

Washington, D. C.:

Is it not possible now to send re-enforcements to Thomas from Hooker's department? If there are new troops, organized State

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*For remainder of dispatch, relating to General Rosecrans, see Vol. XLI, Part IV, p. 742.

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