General WEITZEL: DEEP BOTTOM, VA., July 21, 1864. The river at this point measures 580 feet. I will require twenty-four pontoons with those that I have here. I think I better have two or three extra ones. I also want some spikes and nails. The approaches on both shores are very good. What time may I expect the pontoons here? T. LUBEY, Captain and Engineer Officer. JULY 21, 1864. Captain LUBEY, Jones' Neck: General Benham was here this morning, and rather objects to giving us any more boats. He says he wants them. But prepare the approaches and abutments and we will see what we can do with our canvas pontoon train. I will send you the nails. G. WEITZEL, Brigadier-General. SPECIAL ORDERS, WAR DEPT., ADJT. GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, July 21, 1864. No. 244. 56. Capt. Edwin V. Sumner, First U. S. Cavalry, is hereby relieved from duty in the Department of Virginia and North Carolina, and will report in person without delay to Major-General Hunter, U. S. Volunteers, for assignment to duty as special inspector of cavalry, Department of West Virginia. II. All that part of the First Brigade, Second Division, Nineteenth Army Corps, which has arrived, will report as soon as disembarked, under its commander, Brig. Gen. H. W. Birge, to General A. H. Terry, commanding Tenth Army Corps. By command of Major-General Butler: R. S. DAVIS, Assistant Adjutant-General. HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, Brigadier-General TERRY, In the Field, July 21, 1864–10.20 a. m. Commanding Tenth Corps: The First Brigade, Second Division, Nineteenth Army Corps, General H. W. Birge commanding, is ordered to report to you. The gen. eral commanding directs that you place this brigade in reserve near that part of the line between Batteries 4 and 7-in other words, close to and behind the 100-days' men. Respectfully, HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, General TERRY, Commanding Tenth Corps: Has General Birge brought his brigade up? If he has not, see that it comes up before tattoo. General Butler expects mischief on our front. G. WEITZEL, General WEITZEL, HEADQUARTERS TENTH ARMY CORPS, Acting Chief of Staff: July 21, 1864-7.45 p. m. General Birge's brigade has not yet reported. The general himself is now here. He will return to Bermuda at once and bring up his men as soon as possible. A. H. TERRY, General TERRY, Tenth Corps: JULY 21, 1864. (Sent 9.10 p. m.) I have applied for material to throw another bridge, so as to enable re-enforcements to reach the Eleventh Maine. This will take some time, however, and in the meantime I think General Foster must act as his judgment dictates; he being on the ground is the best judge. He should not risk that regiment too much. Please give him these instructions. Respectfully, General WEITZEL: G. WEITZEL, HEADQUARTERS TENTH ARMY CORPS, Are your anticipations of trouble on your front sufficiently strong to render it advisable for the troops to lie in the trenches to-night? A. H. TERRY, General TERRY, Tenth Corps: GENERAL BUTLER'S HEADQUARTERS, I am not. General Butler has taken the precaution to have that brigade up because the rebels have just found out that we have 100-days' men on our line, and he fears they might now take advantage of that information and by a sudden dash play us a nasty trick. The following has just been received from General Foster: HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, TENTH ARMY CORPS, July 21, 1864-—9.45 p. m. Lieutenant-Colonel SMITH, Assistant Adjutant-General : A report has just reached me from Lieutenant-Colonel Hill, stating that he was attacked by a strong skirmish line, which he repulsed; but the enemy appearing to be forming in strong line of battle for another attack-he thinks a brigade-he fell back quietly as instructed, and is now in the redoubt at the bluff. Only one casualty on our side. Respectfully, I was about to order Foster to recall the Eleventh Maine, under Colonel Hill, fearing that the position was too much exposed, when I received a telegram from him, a copy of which has been sent you.* I have, therefore, refrained from sending the order, preferring to await your instructions. A. H. TERRY, HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, JULY 21, 1864. (Sent 9 p. m.) Brig. Gen. R. S. FOSTER, Jones' Neck: Your dispatch received. Good. I am trying now to prevail on general headquarters to give me another bridge to throw from the neck to the lower side of Four-Mile Creek. Please tell this to Captain Lubey, whose dispatch I have just received. This would enable us to re-enforce that side from the Nineteenth Corps, now here. G. WEITZEL, Brigadier-General. JULY 21, 1864-10.30 p. m. General FOSTER, Jones' Neck: Why cannot the gun-boats now shell that position from which Colonel Hill retired and keep them as much as possible from working there and still further pressing Hill? It seems to me they ought to do something to prevent the enemy from intrenching at a place which will do the navy more harm than us. Can't you throw, with your rifled pieces, into that place a shot or two at intervals to annoy their working parties, which will surely be there now, and the supports which will be kept near them? G. WEITZEL, General WEITZEL, DEEP BOTTOM, VA., July 21, 1864-10.50 p. m. Acting Chief of Staff: Your dispatch is received, and I have sent it to the commander of the gun-boats. It is quite foggy here, and I don't think our guns could fire with any accuracy to-night. I have vedettes well out to observe the movements of the enemy and report what they appear to be doing. None have reported yet. Colonel Hill is in a safe place and I think in no danger of attack. There have been no reported indications of working parties, and I think my vedettes could hear them if they were there. Respectfully, R. S. FOSTER, General FOSTER, Jones' Neck: JULY 21, 1864. (Sent 11.20 p. m.) Your dispatch received. General Grant has just telegraphed to let him immediately know what of note transpires to-night in your front; so keep us well posted. G. WEITZEL, Brigadier-General Foster, Commanding First Division: JULY 21, 1864.] I suggested to General Weitzel the propriety of withdrawing the Eleventh Maine, thinking the position too exposed. The following is his reply.* A. H. TERRY, Brigadier General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, TENTH ARMY CORPS, Lieut. Col. J. A. HILL, Eleventh Maine Volunteers : Deep Bottom, July 21, 1864. The brigadier-general commanding directs that, as it appears probable that it will be very foggy to-night, you use the utmost vigilance to prevent your command from being surprised or cut off from the redoubt in your rear. It is quite probable that the enemy will attack you to-night or in the morning. If they do, keep a good watch and see that you are not flanked. Send word to the gun-boats if you are driven out of the woods, and they will open on the enemy. See that the enemy do not send a force from the direction of Malvern Hill and get between you and camp. If you hold your position examine the country in the morning and report as early as practicable how many men will be necessary to hold the position permanently. Yours, &c., P. A. DAVIS, Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General. Capt. P. A. DAVIS, HEADQUARTERS REDOUBT, Asst. Adjt. Gen., First Division, Tenth Army Corps : CAPTAIN: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your communication, with instructions, &c. I have to report that about dark the enemy appeared in such force in my front that I deemed it inexpedient to remain near the woods, and have withdrawn my force to the redoubt. Unless otherwise ordered, I shall remain here to-night, the men being much fatigued. The skirmish line of the enemy charged on mine, but were repulsed. Immediately after I heard distinctly a large force preparing to attack, I should judge at least a brigade. Inclosed please find letters captured with one of the prisoners. I have to report one man accidentally wounded. |