A GENERAL MOVEMENT HAS BEGUN
CITY POINT, Va., March 28 -- A.M.
At length we are upon the eve of the long expected and anxiously awaited forward movement of the Army of the Potomac. For several weeks the army has been in readiness for a move. The hospitals at the front have all been cleared, the superfluous baggage has all been shipped to this point, and the army has been stripping and girding up its loins for perhaps the last great engagement of the war on the soil of Virginia. As matters now stand, that engagement cannot be postponed by the enemy for many days longer, and it is likely that my next dispatch will contain tidings of an exciting and important nature.
At 12 o'clock last night the whole Army of the Potomac, in obedience to general orders, was placed under arms and held in readiness for a movement at a moment's notice. It is, of course, unknown in what direction Gen. GRANT will strike, but it seems to be an accepted conclusion here that the Southside Railroad will be his first objective point. But while swinging his left still further round in that direction, neither his right nor centre will be further weakened. This fact, of course, implies the obtaining of reinforcements from another quarter, which it would be imprudent to indicate by even so much as a hint.
But a few facts may be stated that the enemy will derive very little comfort from. Gen. SHERIDAN's command, as I wrote yesterday, has made a junction with this army, and will abide with it, for better or worse, in the coming campaign. Just about half of SHERIDAN's bold troopers are dismounted; but this matter is being attended to as rapidly as possible by the post commandant, Gen. COLLIS, who yesterday mounted 2,000 of them. There are, at the present writing, about _____ thousand of them mounted, and ready and eager for a dash anywhere. This is, of course, quite a formidable force, and will be of immense assistance in operating on the enemy's flank. The rebels have no such number of cavalrymen to oppose us, and their horses, beside, are mere skeletons. Last night SHERIDAN's mounted men "camped out" on the bare ground, without going to the trouble of putting up tents, and with no covering but their blankets. This would indicate that they do not intend to stop very long in their present location. They crossed the James River at Deep Bottom several days ago on the pontoon bridge. Yesterday they crossed the Appomattox, and took a good fifteen mile ride thereafter. Prudence forbids me to mention their present location. But, as they are a very volatile set of men, and never stop long in one spot, it can do no harm to state that they are so situated in the rear of this army that they can move with equal facility to reinforce either the right, left or centre.
ADVERTISEMENT
Yesterday afternoon Gen. SHERMAN arrived, about dark, from Fortress Monroe, which point he left at 12. He had an interview with the President and with Gens. GRANT, SHERIDAN and LIGGETT. A salute was fired in honor of his arrival. He is not to remain here any length of time. Maj.-Gen. LIGGETT, just mentioned, commands a division of the Tenth Corps, Army of the Tennessee. He is here on a ten days' visit to Gen. GRANT. Senator MCDOUGALL, of California, is likewise here on a visit to the Lieutenant-General.
In the coming movement the Army of the James is not to remain inactive. A considerable portion of work has been mapped out for it. As in the case of this army, the troops have received marching orders, and all are packed up ready to move. Whether any of the army has moved, and in what direction, your correspondent there will inform you. It may be said, however, that the two armies will be a unit in the offensive operations. If necessary, the Army of the James could be thrown across to this side of the river in half a day; but it does not follow that this will be the case.

Philadelphia Press
March 31, 1865, Page 1