Lieut. Col. L. RICHMOND, HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, Assistant Adjutant-General: COLONEL: I have the honor to report that the position named in my previous report for two guns to defend the ravine in Humphrey's line is ready, and the guns will be put in to-night. Colonel Humphrey will also strengthen and straighten his picket-line, which is not satisfactory to me at present. The rebels continue repairing and strengthening their line. O. B. WILLCOX, HEADQUARTERS FOURTH DIVISION, NINTH ARMY CORPS, Near Petersburg, Va., July 17, 1864. Lieut. Col. LEWIS RICHMOND, Assistant Adjutant-General, Ninth Army Corps: COLONEL: I have the honor to report that my men have been constantly employed on fatigue duty for some time past, and that details for large fatigue parties for night work are called for daily. I would, therefore, request that a sufficient time be given them for rest and to clean their arms, &c., before taking part in the proposed assault. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, EDWD. FERRERO, Brigadier-General, Commanding. [First indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS, Before Petersburg, Va., July 19, 1864. Respectfully referred to Lieutenant-Colonel Loring, assistant inspector-general of the corps, who will please, after communicating in writing with the commanding general of the Fourth Division on this subject, submit a full report of the facts in the case to be laid before the general commanding the corps. [Second indorsement.] A. E. BURNSIDE. HEADQUARTERS FOURTH DIVISION, NINTH ARMY CORPS, Near Petersburg, Va., July 19, 1864. Since the 9th instant the whole command has been constantly at work, day and night, on our own front; at the same time large details have been made for work on other portions of the line. Major-General Warren has this day sent word that the men of the Fourth Division will not hereafter be detailed to work off their own line. Respectfully returned. EDWD. FERRERO, Brigadier-General, Commanding. [Third indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS, Respectfully returned to the assistant adjutant-general Ninth Army Corps. The indorsement of General Ferrero shows that the necessity of any immediate action on the within paper on the part of the general com manding the Ninth Army Corps was anticipated by the action of General Warren, directed, as I am informed, by orders from headquarters Army of the Potomac. The division having subsequently been returned to the Ninth Army Corps and its movements left to the control of the general commanding, no further action seems necessary. CHAS. G. LORING, Lieutenant-Colonel and Assistant Inspector-General. [Fourth indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS, Before Petersburg, Va., July 26, 1864. Respectfully returned to the commanding general of the Fourth Division, and his attention invited to the indorsement of the assistant inspector-general. By command of Major-General Burnside: LEWIS RICHMOND, Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Major-General SHERIDAN, Commanding Cavalry Corps: Several deserters that have come into our lines this evening at different times state that Longstreet's corps will assault our lines to-night or at daylight. The commanding general directs that you be prepared to move at any hour, and that upon hearing heavy firing to-night or at daylight that you move up to the front on the plank road, reporting your approach to these headquarters. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General and Chief of Staff. HDQRS. SECOND BRIGADE, FIRST CAVALRY DIVISION, Plank Road, near Temple's House, July 17, 1864-2.30 p. m. Major-General HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff, Army of the Potomac: GENERAL: I have the honor to report all quiet at this hour. Patrolled to Lee's Mill, and found the bridge destroyed, except string pieces. Chased a few guerrillas on Prince George road. The enemy have erected a barricade on the plank road in front of the swamp bridge, which they hold. My impression is that they merely desire to hold that point for the water, as they are quite peaceable. Last night, immediately after I relieved Colonel Bryan, the enemy advanced a strong line of pickets out of the woods in my front (opposite Aiken's and Gurley's) to within easy range of my line. This morning at daylight they retired to the edge of the woods. Nothing else of any moment. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, THOS. C. DEVIN, Colonel, Commanding Second Brigade, First Cavalry Division. N. B.-The pickets last night report the noise of felling timber in the woods opposite Gurley's. 20 R R-VOL XL, PT HDQRS. SECOND BRIGADE, FIRST CAVALRY DIVISION, Major-General HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff: GENERAL: Your dispatch of to-night received and contents respectfully noted. No sign of any movement on the part of the enemy can be discovered at this point, unless his unusual quiet should portend such. I would, however, respectfully call your attention to the fact that although my lines now stretch in nearly three-quarters of a complete circle (vedettes) from the left of the infantry around by Aiken's, Gurley's, and Gary's Church to the plank road, and thence around on my left rear to near Sturdivant's Mill, yet the main road from Prince George to Lee's Mill, &c., is now uncovered, except by my patrols, as I understand all other pickets have been withdrawn between those points. From that road and between Prince George and this point there are at least main roads leading south, viz, one at Mount Zion Church, said to lead to Surry Court-House; one near the Blackwater, said to lead to Disputanta Station, and one on this side of Blackwater and the railroad, which runs nearly parallel with the Norfolk railroad. It is impossible for me with my command to go as far to my right rear as would effectually cover these approaches, as nearly my whole force is now on the long line I am obliged to hold. I will endeaver by patrols to discover any approach from that direction, but would recommend that some measures be adopted to effectually keep the road open toward Prince George. Previous to receiving your dispatch I had ordered a patrol to the Norfolk railroad at 3 a. m.; also to Lee's Mill. At dark to-night no movement or sign could be seen at the latter place. At 6 p. m. the enemy advanced a small party up the plank road to my outposts, but did not attack, Very respectfully, your obedient servant, THOS. C. DEVIN, Colonel, Commanding Brigade. HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Brig. Gen. J. H. WILSON, Commanding Third Cavalry Division: July 17, 1864. GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs that a regiment from your division be sent to Prince George Court-House to-day to relieve a regiment of the First Cavalry Division on picket at that point. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, F. C. NEWHALL, Captain and Acting Assistant Inspector-General. HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS, Col. J. B. MCINTOSH, Commanding First Brigade: July 17, 1864. COLONEL: You will please detail a regiment from your command to relieve Lieutenant-Colonel Hutchins, with the First New Hampshire Cavalry, on picket at Cocke's Mill, to-morrow morning at 6 o'clock; the men to be provided with three days' rations and forage. By command of Brigadier-General Wilson: L. SIEBERT, Assistant Adjutant-General. Major-General BUTLER: CITY POINT, July 17, 1864-9.35 p. m. Several deserters just in on General Meade's front, who left the picketline to-night, concur in the statement that we are to be attacked to-night. General Field visited their line just before they deserted, and they overheard him talking with a colonel on the details of the movement. They say it is conceded in their army that Johnston is gone, unless he can be re-enforced, and before they can re-enforce him we must be driven back. Have the Tenth and Eighteenth Corps duly notified, with caution, however, that they are to make no demonstration to show that we are expecting any such attack. Be prepared at the same time to take advantage of any abandonment by the enemy of his lines in your front, especially after daylight in the morning. Of course it is not known when the attack is to be, or whether it is to be at all, but we want to be prepared for the enemy if he should give us such an advantage. U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General. HEADQUARTERS, July 17, 1864-10.20 p. m (Received 11 p. m.) Lieut. Gen. U. S. GRANT, Commanding, &c., City Point : Telegram received. Dispositions have been made to meet the exigen cies therein mentioned. BENJ. F. BUTLER, Major-General, Commanding. CITY POINT, July 17, 1864. Major-General BUTLER: Since my dispatch to you two more sets of deserters have come in, confirming previous statements, but giving more particulars. The attack, if made, is to be principally on Meade's left. The deserters say that a ravine has been cleared out between the respective lines of skirmishers, for the purpose of massing their troops under cover and out of observation, and that the attack is to be made about 4 a. m., or just before day. I very much wish now that you had a corps ready to make an attack on the enemy at the same time. It will be advisable to have Kautz notified to have his cavalry on hand for service on foot. JULY 17, 1864. Commander J. M. B. CLITZ, U. S. Steamer Osceola, City Point: The commanding general directs me to request you to keep all naval vessels away from Wilcox's Wharf until further orders, unless our transports are fired into. This request is made because he is preparing an expedition to capture the whole rebel force there. G. WEITZEL, Brigadier-General and Acting Chief of Staff. Brigadier-General RAWLINS, HEADQUARTERS TENTH CORPS, July 17, 1864. Chief of Staff, Lieutenant-General Grant's Headquarters: I have notice by telegraph that acceptance of my resignation was mailed on the 14th. Has it been received at your headquarters? W. T. H. BROOKS, Brigadier-General. HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, Brigadier-General BROOKS: The following dispatch is transmitted for your information.* General Butler desires me to say to you to be ready. about 3 o'clock. He expects the attack G. WEITZEL, Brigadier-General and Acting Chief of Staff. (Same to Generals Martindale, Foster, and Kautz.) In addition, to General Kautz: Let all your men be ready to take position quickly on the line. Report to General Brooks. General WEITZEL: HEADQUARTERS TENTH ARMY CORPS, Dispatch received. Please give orders to have the colored troops on the left of the line in readiness, and, if possible, placed subject to my orders. W. T. H. BROOKS, HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, General BROOKS: In the Field, July 17, 1864—10.50 p. m. Dispatch received. I have notified the colored troops and have ordered General Paine to report to you. They, as all troops between the Appomattox and James (cavalry, infantry, and artillery) are under your command. Give them any orders you think proper. G. WEITZEL, Brigadier-General and Acting Chief of Staff. * See Grant to Butler, 9.35 p. m., p. 307. |