SPECIAL ORDERS, Į HDQRS. ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES, No. 66. S I. The ordnance depot at Bermuda Hundred will be broken up and the ordnance and ordnance stores turned over to Lieut. Morris Schaff, depot ordnance officer, at City Point, Va. Until further orders all ordnance and ordnance stores required by the troops operating against Richmond will be drawn from the ordnance depot at City Point upon requisition approved by the chief of ordnance of the army or department in which the troops are serving. ** By command of Lieutenant-General Grant: E. S. PARKER, Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Major-General HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff: July 25, 1864. GENERAL: A deserter from the Nineteenth Mississippi Regiment, Harris' brigade, Anderson's old division, Hill's corps, came into our lines about 10 o'clock last evening. He was forwarded this morning from the headquarters of the Fifth Corps. He states that he left the trenches about dark and had been out on picket about three hours before he left. There had been no change in the position of the two divisions of Hill's corps now in our front, and as far as informant knew no changes had been made at any point along the line. His division moved back from the trenches a short distance yesterday for the purpose of drying them, but moved into them again. All informant knows concerning Longstreet's corps is that Hood's old division is still on the left of his division (Anderson's old); that he thinks McLaws' division moved to the north side of the Appomattox four or five days ago. It was rumored that they were to go to re-enforce General Early at the time, but it has since been reported that they did not go and are still encamped at some point north of the Appomattox. Circulars were distributed among the troops yesterday containing the following news from Sherman, the date of which he had forgotten, but it was the latest: That Sherman had attacked Hood twice and was repulsed both times; that Hood afterward attacked Sherman, carrying two lines of works, and capturing 22 pieces of cannon and 2,000 prisoners; also news from General Early of no particular importance. It was reported that Early had sent for a division to help him out of a tight place. Very respectfully, J. C. BABCOCK. JOHN C. BABCOCK: CITY POINT, July 25, 1864. Have received from depot over the river two men who left Richmond Saturday p. m. That morning some troops, about a regiment, arrived by the Virginia Central Railroad, and all the heavy artillery regiments about the city were sent down to Chaffin's farm. As our troops were reported re-enforced, no troops have been sent to Early, who, it is understood, will fall back to Orange Court-House and stop there. Send to General Humphreys, and I will furnish memorandum for use of General Grant. GEORGE H. SHARPE, Colonel, &c. Capt. B. F. FISHER: PLANK ROAD SIGNAL STATION, A small squadron of cavalry, about forty in number, passed to our left this a. m. on road near Weldon railroad. A large fatigue party of the enemy is at work on their second line, west of plank road. They seem to be leveling it. J. B. DUFF, Lieutenant and Signal Officer. JULY 25, 1864–11.15 a. m. Captain FISHER: The enemy's signal officer reports an increase of tents at Cobb's. The enemy has within the last thirty-six hours occupied a line of riflepits northwest, and three miles from here, and show quite a large number of tents this a. m. CHAS. L. DAVIS, Capt. B. F. FISHER: Captain, &c. PLANK ROAD SIGNAL STATION, July 25, 1864. The enemy have been at work all day on their second line, mentioned this a. m. J. B. DUFF, Second Lieutenant and Signal Officer. HDQRS. ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, SIGNAL DEPARTMENT, Major-General HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff : GENERAL: The following report has been received: July 25, 1864. Parties of enemy at work building stockades in front of an embrasure where a gun is mounted, half a mile to left of Gregory's house and near woods; also small party shoveling inside of works at Gregory's house. Large parties extending line of works in rear of old line and left of the Gregory house. I. S. LYON, I have the honor, general, to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, B. F. FISHER, Captain and Chief Signal Officer. Captain FISHER: JULY 25, 1864—5 p. m. Parties of enemy are busy upon line of works to left of Gregory's house and west of plank road. This is the same line as was begun about fifteen days ago. They are engaged in extending the line to our right as well as upon the old portion. The bank thrown up is already very high. I. S. LYON, Signal Officer. Captain NORTON, WALTHALL HOUSE, July 25, 1864-5 p. m. Chief Signal Officer: One of the enemy's signal officers reports increase of tents at Cobb's. The enemy has occupied rifle-pits on a hill three miles northwest from here; they show a large number of tents. [Indorsement.] CHAS. L. DAVIS, Captain and Signal Officer. Respectfully forwarded for information of commanding general. L. B. NORTON, Captain and Chief Signal Officer. Captain FISHER: JULY 25, 1864—5 p. m. A few rebels are engaged on the second line of works to west of plank road. In other directions all quiet. I. S. LYON, Lieutenant and Signal Officer. JORDAN HOUSE SIGNAL STATION, Capt. B. F. FISHER, Chief Signal Officer, Army of the Potomac: The enemy have occupied a portion of their earth-works north-northwest from this station, and about three-quarters of a mile westerly from Fort Clifton. [Intercepted message:] Colonel BRENT, Assistant Adjutant-General: 11.20 A. M. The enemy show an increase of camps to our left of Cobb's. One gun-boat off' Point of Rocks and one off Port Walthall. (Same to A. B.) OPERATOR. T. R. CLARK, Captain. Captain FISHER: JULY 25, 1864—6.45 p. m. The enemy's signal officer reports troops drilling at Cobb's. No movements seen to day. Captain Norton reports that at 1 p. m. seven cars with sick and wounded troops passed toward Richmond on the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad. Two trains moved toward Petersburg empty. CHAS. L. DAVIS, Captain, &c. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Brigadier-General BENHAM: You will make your arrangements to throw a bridge over the Appomattox River at Broadway to-morrow afternoon, timing your operations so that the bridge will be completed and ready for use soon after dark. Should any questions arise in your mind requiring immediate action you are authorized to refer them to Lieutenant-General Grant, by whose order the bridge is directed to be constructed. GEO. G. MEADE, Major-General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS, General S. WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant-General: There has been no change in the disposition of my command since last report. The work I have been engaged on on the left is nearly completed. WINF'D S. HANCOCK, Major-General. General S. WILLIAMS: HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS, July 25, 1864. I request that the regiment, Fourth New York Heavy Artillery, be returned to my command. WINF'D S. HANCOCK, Major-General. General HANCOCK: HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, I am directed by the commanding general to say that the services of the Fourth New York Heavy Artillery cannot, at present, be dispensed with from the duty the regiment is now on. S. WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Major-General HANCOCK, Commanding Second Army Corps: You will move your corps to-morrow afternoon at such time and in such manner as to conceal the movement from the enemy, and so as to reach the pontoon bridge at Point of Rocks soon after dark. You will cross this bridge and proceed to the upper bridge at Deep Bottom, crossing the James over this bridge and moving from thence to Chaf fin's farm, taking the position and carrying out the orders indicated in the inclosed letter* from the lieutenant-general commanding. The object of this movement and the details of its conduct are so clearly set forth in this letter of the lieutenant-general commanding it is not deemed necessary to add any additional instructions from these headquarters. Major-General Sheridan, in command of two divisions of cavalry, will cross at the Broadway Landing bridge and the lower bridge at Deep Bottom. He is directed to report his movements to you, and in all matters of co-operation to take his orders from you. You will keep me advised of your progress and all movements through the nearest telegraph office. Very respectfully, &c., General WILLIAMS: GEO. G. MEADE, Major-General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS, There has been no change in the disposition of my command to-day. The work on the left is about done. I have partially completed a small redan for four guns near Southall's house, on the road from Mrs. Lee's house. WINF'D S. HANCOCK, CIRCULAR.] HEADQUARTERS SECOND CORPS, Division and independent commanders will keep their men in camp during the day to-morrow. By order of Major-General Hancock: FRANCIS A. WALKER, General WILLIAMS: HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS, July 25, 1864. Everything very quiet in my front last night; nothing of interest transpired. The following details were at work during the night: 600 men from Second Division; 400 men from Fourth Division; 400 men from First Division. G. K. WARREN, See p. 437. |