Grant Begins Final Assault on Lee at Petersburg

MARCH 29TH, 1865:  In a downpour, General Grant launched his wideswinging move to the southwest of Petersburg to roll up Lee's flank.  Ever concerned about his lifeline on the James River, he wrote Rear Admiral Porter:  "In view of the possibility of the enemy coming to City point, or by crossing the Appomattox at Broadway Landing, getting to Bermuda Hundred during the absence of the greater part of the army, I would respectfully request that you direct one or two gunboats to lay in the Appomattox, near the pontoon bridge, and two in the James River, near the mouth of Bailey's Creek, the first stream below City Point emptying into the James."

Porter complied with double measure, sending not one or two but several ships to grant's assistance.

--Old B-Runner