CITY POINT, VA., July 14, 1864—3 p. m. Major-General HALLECK, Washington, D. C.: Dispatch from Mr. Dana, just received, indicates the enemy leaving Maryland. If so, instructions ought to be sent to Fortress Monroe directing the Nineteenth Corps as they reach there to be sent here. Ord telegraphs a rumor in Baltimore that the enemy have sent to Point Lookout to rescue prisoners there.* This can hardly be possible in view of the narrow outlet through which they would have to go in passing Washington with them. I call attention to the rumor, however, that you may direct the proper steps, if such a thing should be possible. I think it well to notify the Navy Department of this, that they may prevent the possibility of an attempt to cross the Potomac in boats. U. S. GRANT, Major-General MEADE, Commanding, &c.: Lieutenant-General. CITY POINT, VA., July 14, 1864. There is no chance now of getting any more horses for the cavalry for at least two weeks. This will be too long a time to wait before making another raid upon the enemy's communications. You may notify Sheridan to get ready at the earliest practicable day. I will order Kautz to report to him with his available cavalry. The cavalry will require a fair start with infantry supports, after which they should go on extending their raid upon the roads into North Carolina as far as Weldon. I do not think they should attempt to return immediately here, but should get back to the James River below, or might even find it better to go into Suffolk and work their way up slowly to the army. A pontoon train will be necessary to carry out this programme. U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General. Major-General MEADE: CITY POINT, VA., July 14, 1864–12.30 p. m. Please direct your engineer officer to demolish all works built by the enemy and now in rear of our lines. Of course this will not include any turned to face the enemy and now used by us, nor will it be well, perhaps, to destroy those in full view of the enemy. If you will send your engineer officer to direct what works should be leveled in rear of the Eighteenth Corps I will order General Martindale to destroy them. U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Lieutenant-General GRANT: Your dispatches in relation to proposed raid and the destruction of the enemy's works have been received. Orders have been sent to Sheridan * See Vol. XXXVII, Part II, p. 293. to prepare his command and report when they will be ready. Two divisions of the Second Corps will be put this afternoon on the work o. leveling the enemy's old works. GEO. G. MEADE, Major-General, HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Lieutenant-General GRANT: General Sheridan reports he can have 9,000 men ready to start on the 16th. What force of infantry should accompany him, and how far do you think the infantry ought to go? Do you propose Sheridan should attempt the destruction of any other road than the Weldon, or do you desire the Danville and Lynchburg also both cut? GEO. G. MEADE, Major-General, Commanding. CITY POINT, July 11, 1864. (Received 7.20 p. m.) Major-General MEADE: If Sheridan succeeds in getting to Weldon or near there, I did not suppose he would be able to get to the Danville road. If he could, however, and could follow the road up to Danville, and south of it, making the destruction of both roads sufficient to last for a month or two, it would be a good thing. In starting out such parties a wide discretion must be given to commanding officers. I see from Atlanta papers that they look upon the loss of that place as probable, but congratulate themselves that Sherman could not stay a month if he had it. Intimation seems strong that Johnston will fall back to Macon, where he thinks he will not be followed for some time, and detach largely to join Lee's army to drive us back, when they can fall upon Sherman with an overwhelming force. To cut both roads far south, therefore, will be a great help to us. I think Sheridan should simply be informed fully of the importance of complete and extended destruction of the enemy's roads and be left to execute it in his own way and with discretion to return in his own time, with authority even to go into New Berne if he thinks safety requires it. The object of an infantry force is to give him a fair start beyond reach of the enemy's infantry. If a corps can get on the railroad between the rebel cavalry and infantry that would be sufficient. They might remain one day destroying road, if not engaged with the enemy, and then return, moving well to the east in doing so. U. S. GRANT, Major-General MEADE: CITY POINT, VA., July 14, 1861. The enemy are leaving Maryland, it is supposed, by Edwards Ferry. Wright is following, but I presume the enemy will get off without punishment. Hunter may hit him, but I doubt it. The Baltimore road was 15 R R-VOL XL, PT HII not injured and trains were expected to be running to-day. Telegraphic communication was open yesterday with Philadelphia. It is rumored that Franklin, who was captured with the train at Gunpowder bridge, afterward escaped. I have no confirmation of the report. however. U. S. GRANT, HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, July 14, 1864. Major-General HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff: GENERAL: Three deserters from Finegan's brigade (Fourth Battalion and Ninth Florida Regiment) came into the lines of the Fifth Corps this a. m. about 2 o'clock. From them we can learn little or nothing. They have been on picket all night. Up to the time they left the trenches they knew of no movements on their right or left having taken place for a week or more, excepting the force lately sent down the Weldon railroad. Neither of the deserters know what is on their right or left and are all stupid and unintelligent. All the information obtained amounts only to this, that their brigade (Finegan's) and Mahone's division was in the same position last night that it has been for the past week or more, and that they have not seen or heard of any movements, excepting that of a part of their corps, a few days since. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. C. BABCOCK. Indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Lieutenant-General GRANT : Forwarded as the only information received to-day. GEO. G. MEADE, Major-General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, General HUMPHREYS : July 14, 1864. A contraband came into our lines about 3 o'clock this afternoon from Petersburg. He left the city this morning, and has been hanging about the lines all day waiting for a good [chance] to get through. He got permission to go beyond the works to gather blackberries, and by representing himself as one of the officers' servants, strolled outside the pickets. He has been a fireman on the South Side Railroad, but has not been on the road since it was destroyed. He resides on Old Street near Sycamore, and has been living there for the past year. He says that no troops have passed north for the past two weeks from Lee's army, excepting two regiments of infantry that went to Richmond last Friday. He has a wife residing at Dunn's Hill, on the Chesterfield side of the Appomattox River. He has been in the habit of visiting her frequently, and left there this morning. He says that the Seven teenth Virginia Regiment, of Pickett's division, is at Dunn's Hill guarding an ordnance train, and that his whole division is on the Chesterfield side of the river, part of it at the Half-Way House, and the rest of it at Port Walthall Junction. He is positive that no troops have been sent away from here to re-enforce Early, or to go anywhere else, and that if Longstreet's corps had moved in any direction he would have known it. He says it is all in our front. Very respectfully, JNO. C. BABCOCK. (Forwarded to Lieutenant-General Grant by General Meade.) HDQRS. ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, SIGNAL DEPARTMENT, July 14, 1864. Maj. Gen. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff: GENERAL: I have the honor to forward the following report just received: WALTHALL SIGNAL STATION, July 14, 1864. No movement seen or heard this a, m. Intercepted messages as follows: "A. B.: "Will you grant me twelve hours' leave of absence to visit Richmond? I have some important business there to attend to. "D. TIMBERLAKE, “Aide-de-Camp." "8.15 A. M. "Colonel BRENT, "Assistant Adjutant-General : “No change in enemy's camp in vicinity of Cobb's. One gun-boat and one steamer below pontoon bridge. The other stations along our front report "no changes." "W. S. L." I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, First Lieutenant and Adjutant of Signal Corps. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Major-General HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff: July 14, 1864. GENERAL: The following report received from signal station near plank road: At 4.30 p. m. a detachment of cavalry passed to our left on road near Weldon railroad. It was about one regiment and was eight minutes passing; was followed by several wagons and many stragglers. No trains on Weldon railroad to day. Enemy's camp remains the same, in woods east of lead-works. They are still at work on their intrenchments at different points. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. B. DUFF. B. F. FISHER, Captain and Chief Signal Officer, Army of the Potomac. U.S. ENGINEERS' CAMP, July 11, 1861. Maj. J. C. DUANE, Chief Engineer: MAJOR: During the last twenty-four hours two batteries, commenced night before last on General Cutler's right, were completed. They are for field guns, and were under the direction of Lieutenant Howell. On the right of General Griffin's line two batteries were built last night, and are complete except one embrasure. They are for field guns. On the left flank, near the Chieves house, a battery was laid out yesterday and a sufficient detail set to work yesterday evening. This morning I learn that it is quite well advanced. I have no official report on this subject. This is a half sunken battery for four guns. Work was continued on the large redoubt yesterday and the barbettes completed in the salients farthest from the plank road. The work was turned over to General Warren, who will direct the garrison to complete any unfinished work. No report has been received from Lieutenant Cuyler, who took 200 men with orders to strengthen the parapets of two batteries on General Ayres' front. The redoubt on the left (200 feet square) is reported by Captain Harwood to be progressing fairly, one face being up to the soles of the embrasure. The revetting on the other faces has been commenced, and the parapets are almost as far advanced. The infantry parapet at the gorge is about three feet above the terre-plein. In addition a considerable amount of slashing has been done in the vicinity of the redoubt. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, G. H. MENDELL, Captain, Commanding U. S. Engineer Battalion. General A. A. HUMPHREYS: CITY POINT, July 14, 1864-10.30 p. m. Lieutenant Hough, who came for the picks and shovels, arrived about 5 p. m. The twelve teams he brought were all loaded soon after 7 p. m., but requiring six more teams, it appears that he retained the loaded teams here while he procured the others, about which there was some delay. They are all now loaded and just starting, excepting one or two that have just reached here. They will be hurried up as rapidly as possible. H. W. BENHAM, HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Major-General HANCOCK: The commanding general directs me to state that the telegraphic reports of operations called for from corps commanders morning and evening by the circular of the 2d instant from these headquarters are not in general as full as is desired, and to invite attention to the requirements of that circular. S. WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant-General. (Same to Generals Warren and Burnside.) |