General S. WILLIAMS, HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS, Assistant Adjutant-General : I have the honor to report that all was quiet on my line during the night. New abatis was put out. There was the usual amount of firing. A. E. BURNSIDE, Major-General. General WILLIAMS, HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS, July 23, 1864. (Received 9.35 p. m.) Assistant Adjutant-General: I have the honor to report that it has been unusually quiet on my line to-day. The enemy opened a new mortar battery on General Potter's right and threw some shells at our party working on the covered way to the fourteen-gun battery, but did no damage. A. E. BURNSIDE, HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., SECOND DIV., 9TH ARMY CORPS, Lieut. Col. LEWIS RICHMOND, Assistant Adjutant-General, Ninth Army Corps: COLONEL: I have the honor to report that the works along our line are very nearly completed, with the exception of the covered way leading to the fort by the burnt house. Not much progress has been made on that, owing to the fact that the working party from my brigade has been relieved by the general commanding the corps on account of their services being required during the night on the front line, and the party designed to relieve them not having reported. The mine is very nearly completed, and two hours' labor will at any time put it in condition ready for the final explosion. Chambers have been extended seventy-five feet from the extremity of the mine. At 5 p. m. yesterday the enemy opened on the left of the Second Division with volleys of musketry (the fire by company), creating some disturbance along the line and drawing the artillery fire. I was myself upon the spot at the time, but could discover no cause for the outbreak and no indication of its object. Nothing new discovered in relation to the enemy's operations. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, S. G. GRIFFIN, Brigadier-General of Volunteers, General of the Trenches. HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, Lieutenant-Colonel RICHMOND, Assistant Adjutant-General, Ninth Army Corps: COLONEL: Picket-firing less than for some days. Enemy opened with shells this p. m. on the working party at the covered way to the heavy battery. They used 2 and 23 second fuse, and some shell struck to the left of New Market road. The firing came from the rebel works on Potter's right, and was enfilading. This battery ought to be looked to, and I should think if it can be seen ought to be easily silenced, as it must be very near. Have completed a cover for one gun on New Market road, but do not design to put it in until the heavy guns are in position. Very respectfully, O. B. WILLCOX, HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, COMMANDING OFFICER CAVALRY CORPS: Colonel Chapman reports this morning that he is being relieved. The commanding general prefers that the tour of the brigade on the left should continue for several days, as the ground covered by it is extensive and somewhat intricate. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General and Chief of Staff. HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., THIRD DIV., CAVALRY CORPS, Maj. Gen. A. A. HUMPHREYS, July 23, 1864-8.30 a. m. Chief of Staff, Army of the Potomac: GENERAL: I have the honor to report that my line of pickets remains unchanged and undisturbed at this time. Yesterday two men were captured from the line near Aiken's. The character of the country through which the right of line passes makes the duty both difficult and dangerous. The patrol to Lee's Mill this morning was attacked upon its return by about a squadron of the enemy and lost four men taken prisoners and two wounded. The officer in charge thinks it was the intention of the enemy to cut off the patrol. He retired immediately after the attack. I have made connection by patrol with the cavalry doing picket duty from Prince George Court-House, near Davenport Church, their line having been extended. The two women alluded to in communication of yesterday were passed out after taking inclosed oath.* I am being relieved this morning by First Brigade, of First Cavalry Division, Colonel Alger commanding. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Major-General BUTLER: on boat City of Hudson. GEO. H. CHAPMAN, Colonel, Commanding Brigade. CITY POINT, July 23, 1864. Secretary Seward and party have just left here for Point of Rocks The undersigned, having examined so far as practicable the ground in front of General Butler's line, submit the following: There appear to be two points on the line from which an attack on the enemy's line might be made-the first on the right center, to move to the left of Ware Bottom Church; the second to be toward Port Walthall Junction, the troops crossing Bake-House Creek, near its mouth. The troops for · the first attack might be formed within a few hundred yards of the enemy's line in the woods, or might move over the open. They would meet a line of works, much weaker than those held by us, but yet of such strength and so manned as to make success, except by surprise, doubtful. The chances of success are thought to be against us in this attack. The second plan of attack would not permit a surprise as at Port Walthall, as our lines are separated by a considerable distance from those of the enemy. This part of the line is not so well known as the other, but is believed to be continuous, and is known to have abatis in a part of its front; still it is not supposed to be as strong as that part first mentioned. The chances of success are thought to be the same as in the case of ordinary rifle-pits, the assault not being a surprise. It is supposed that the enemy have about two divisions for the line north of the Appomattox, massed at the principal points. General Weitzel has not seen the ground in General Burnside's front. The other signers think the prospect of breaking through the enemy's line in General Burnside's front better than at the first point mentioned, in General Butler's front, and at least as good as at the second point. It should be recollected, however, that if the estimate of the enemy's force is correct in General Butler's front there would not be more than 1,500 or 2,000 men per mile in the enemy's line. General WEITZEL: J. C. DUANE, Major of Engineers. C. B. COMSTOCK, Brigadier-General. JONES' NECK, July 23, 1864. The bridge is ready for the passage of troops. General Foster informs me that you granted my request to have charge of both bridges. Captain Cruso, I learn, arrived here this evening, but as yet I have not seen him. The men of his command assisted me in laying the bridge. I suppose from what General Foster says that Captain Cruso and his command will return to their camp. General WEITZEL, Chief Engineer: T. LUBEY, BERMUDA, July 23, 1864. I have just returned from Jones' Neck. Your dispatch was forwarded at that place, and have not received same. person? Shall I report to you in F. H. CRUSO, Captain, Commanding Train 17. HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, Captain CRUSO, Bermuda Hundred: You need not report in person. Just resume the same position with your company which you occupied before starting for Jones' Neck. G. WEITZEL, Brigadier-General and Chief Engineer HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, Captain CRUSO, Pontoon Train No. 17, Jones' Neck: You will return to your camp with your men at once. JAMES W. LYON, Captain and Assistant Engineer, Comdg. Pontoon Train. SPECIAL ORDERS, No. 200. HDQRS. DEPT. OF VA. AND N. C., I. Companies I and M, Second Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, now at Portsmouth, Va., will proceed without delay to New Berne, N. C., and report to the commanding officer of that regiment. Quartermaster's department will furnish transportation. II. That part of the Third Brigade, First Division, Nineteenth Army Corps, Colonel Currie commanding, which has arrived, will proceed at once and report to Brig. Gen. R. S. Foster, at Deep Bottom. * By command of Major-General Butler: R. S. DAVIS, Assistant Adjutant-General. Colonel ABBOT: HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, If the six siege guns have not yet been sent up to General Burnside's works you had better send them up as soon as practicable. GENERAL ORDERS, H. J. HUNT, HEADQUARTERS TENTH ARMY CORPS, In the Field, near Hatcher's, Va., July 23, 1864. In obedience to Special Orders, No. 64, current series, from headquar ters Armies of the United States, the undersigned hereby assumes command of the Tenth Army Corps. The following-named officers are announced as constituting the personal staff: Capt. J. C. Briscoe, Fortieth New York Volunteers, aide-de-camp; Capt. Clayton McMich27 R R-VOL XL, PT III ael, Ninth U. S. Infantry, aide-de-camp; Capt. Charles Noble, jr., One hundred and nineteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers, aide-de-camp; Capt. J. E. Sweet, Twentieth Indiana Volunteers, acting aide-de-camp. D. B. BIRNEY, Major-General. HEADQUARTERS TENTH ARMY CORPS, July 23, 1864. Brigadier-General WEITZEL, Acting Chief of Staff, &c.: Please send me any maps that you have of my line. I find none at corps headquarters. D. B. BIRNEY, Major-General, HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, Major-General BIRNEY, Tenth Corps Headquarters: In the Field, July 23, 1864. Your dispatch received. I will send you all I have ready, and complete the series as soon as possible. Respectfully, G. WEITZEL, Brigadier-General and Acting Chief of Staff. Maj. R. S. DAVIS, HEADQUARTERS TENTH ARMY CORPS, Assistant Adjutant-General: July 23, 1864. I would respectfully suggest that the division of General Turner needs relief. It has lost severely, and certainly I would recommend that the brigade from the Nineteenth Army Corps relieve him. It will be of great importance to me to get this corps together and ready for any movement. SPECIAL ORDERS, Į No. 82. D. B. BIRNEY, HEADQUARTERS TENTH ARMY CORPS, 1. Brig. Gen. A. H. Terry, U. S. Volunteers, having been relieved from temporary command of the Tenth Army Corps, will resume command of the First Division. By command of Major-General Birney: ED. W. SMITH, Assistant Adjutant-General. |