of widening the pits and constructing bombproofs is begun. The enemy's mortar shells have for the past two days fallen inside the second line principally; nearer than heretofore to brigade headquarters. In the Second Division the work of widening the pits and constructing bombproofs has been begun; the abatis on the left of the railroad cut being strengthened. Too little attention is paid to the fact that there are sinks for the use of officers and men. In some parts of this line the interior slope is too high for the men to fire over it; directed the tread of the banquette to be raised. The officer of the day of the Third Division reports "the firing was kept up briskly all night, except when rockets were thrown up by the enemy, when they would cease firing for the space of fifteen or twenty minutes. These rockets were thrown up at four different times during the night." He also invites attention to the indiscreet practice of a battery in rear of Roemer's, which almost daily drops shells into our works. I remain, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, NINTH ARMY CORPS, Lieut. Col. L. RICHMOND, Assistant Adjutant-General, Ninth Army Corps: COLONEL: I have the honor to report that nothing unusual has transpired during the past twelve hours. The troops continued to improve the traverses and bombproofs in the front line. I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES H. LEDLIE, Brigadier-General, Commanding, HEADQUARTERS SECOND DIVISION, NINTH ARMY CORPS, Lieut. Col. LEWIS RICHMOND, Assistant Adjutant-General, Ninth Army Corps: COLONEL:. I have the honor to report that the line of breast-works in my front was strengthened last night and the abatis partially renewed. The firing during the night was constant, but amounted to nothing serious. I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS, July 27, 1864. Brig. Gen. R. B. POTTER, Commanding Second Division: GENERAL: The general commanding directs that you detail 180 picked and reliable men, to be used in carrying the powder to the 34 R R-VOL XL, PT III mine. They can report at your headquarters, where Captain Mallam, volunteer aide-de-camp, will soon be to take charge of them. They should be provided with sticks from four to six feet long, capable of sustaining a keg of powder of 100 pounds, unless you think they can be carried on muskets without injury to the musket. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. L. VAN BUREN, Major and Aide-de-Camp. Assistant Adjutant-General, Ninth Corps: COLONEL: I have the honor to report sharp firing through the night on the right of my line; none on,Sigfried's front. In obedience to orders of Colonel Monroe, Captain Twitchell brought his guns near the Taylor house out of position last night. Very respectfully, O. B. WILLCOX, HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, Lieutenant-Colonel RICHMOND, Assistant Adjutant-General: COLONEL: In compliance with your instructions to-day, the Second Brigade, Colonel Humphrey, reported for duty on the left of Fifth Corps to General White. I inclose the only report, Captain Roemer's, that embraces anything new on the line. Very respectfully, [Inclosure.] O. B. WILLCOX, HEADQUARTERS THIRTY-FOURTH NEW YORK BATTERY, Capt. R. A. HUTCHINS, July 27, 1864. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Third Division, Ninth Army Corps: SIR: I have the honor of reporting no changes in position that I am aware of. About 12 o'clock some troops in enemy's lines (I should judge about two companies) to our left appeared to be leaving their works. About 4.30 o'clock, in the same place, clouds of dust appeared as if troops or wagons were on the move, but so distant could not clearly distinguish. I am, most respectfully, your obedient servant, MER Captain, Commanding Thirty-fourth New York Battery. HEADQUARTERS FOURTH DIVISION, NINTH ARMY CORPS, Major-General HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff: GENERAL: I have the honor to report that my headquarters are established in the location formerly occupied by General Ferrero near the railroad and between the railroad and plank road. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JULIUS WHITE, Brigadier-General, Commanding. Troops occupying intrenchments between the plank road and Norfolk road. HEADQUARTERS FOURTH DIVISION, NINTH ARMY CORPS, Major-General HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff: GENERAL: I have the honor to state that the two brigades of infantry under my command have been placed upon the line extending from the fortifications near the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad to the left of the Fifth Corps, covering a distance of over a mile. The line is necessarily weak, but I deemed it important to occupy the work above mentioned, especially as there is no other suitable position for my artillery. If this disposition of the troops is not deemed sufficiently compact I respectfully ask instructions. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Brigadier-General of Volunteers, Commanding. Copy furnished Major-General Warren. Brig. Gen. J. WHITE, HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS, Commanding Fourth Division, Ninth Army Corps : GENERAL: Your arrangements appear to me judicious, but as I understand you were not placed under my orders, but were merely to report to me "whatever occurs, as well as to these (General Meade's) headquarters." If you wish to make any reports of things requiring alteration or approval I think you are not directed to do so to me. Any assistance that I could give it would of course be proper for you to ask. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, G. K. WARREN, Major-General, Commanding. DEEP BOTTOM, July 27, 1861-7.40 a. m. General A. A. HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff: My cavalry is now commencing to cross the James River. General Hancock's last brigade is just over. He has been engaged with a portion of Longstreet's corps, who still hold ground in his front. He has captured four pieces of artillery. The enemy had their lines close into the works of General Foster. This unexpected delay may materially interfere with the success of the cavalry operations, as I cannot get away from here for some time. Have you any further instructions? P. H. SHERIDAN, Major-General. HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Maj. Gen. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff: With General Torbert's division I advanced this p. m. on the right of the infantry line and drove the enemy from the Long Bridge and New Market roads and across that road. The New Market road, Central road, and Charles City road are occupied by the enemy. If I am to go on I can go on the Long Bridge road and cross the Chickahominy at Bottom's Bridge. Colonel Comstock, aide-de-camp, said to me to-day that I should not go until the enemy were driven inside of fortifications at Chaffin's farm. The enemy's infantry is very long and extends over to Charles City road. I do not know when the enemy will be driven into the works at Chaffin's farm. P. H. SHERIDAN, Major-General, Commanding. (Forwarded to General Grant.) HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, General WILLIAMS: Major-General Sheridan desires me to say for him that it will be im. possible for him to relieve the two regiments of the Second DivisionFirst New Jersey and the First Pennsylvania. The Third Indiana will go to-morrow if possible. C. KINGSBURY, JR., HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Brigadier-General WILSON, Commanding Cavalry Division: July 27, 1864-2 a. m. The order for the remainder of your division to move up to vicinity of Prince George Court-House supposed you would leave what guard might be absolutely necessary for your trains, and for those of the other two divisions if they left no guard for theirs. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General and Chief of Staff. HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., THIRD DIV., CAVALRY CORPS, Maj. Gen. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff: July 27, 1864. GENERAL: I inclose to you a picket report* from Lieutenant-Colonel Bacon, Fifth New York Cavalry, who commands that part of the picket Not found. line running from Doctor Gurley's house toward Smith's, and running down the first road south from Smith's to the deserted farm, striking the plank road near the church. Captain Boice, of whom he speaks in his report, has pickets at the Gurley house and his reserve in the woods between Gurley's and Smith's house. A patrol I sent down the plank road early this morning reports that they came upon a small mounted force and about 500 infantry. In retiring they were not followed. This patrol started from the reserve near the church, and state that the force they came upon was not over half a mile from their outer post on the plank road and below the church. I send in three negroes, who have come into our lines from the rebels. I am, general, very respectfully, J. B. MCINTOSH, Colonel, Commanding Brigade. P. S.-It seems now almost impossible to send scouting parties to the railroad toward Wyatt's and toward Reams' Station, as the enemy seem to be in our immediate front on that part of the line. I have a reserve at Temple's, which pickets down the Lee's Mill road to Brown's, and from there runs across and connects with pickets from the Second Division at Davenport Church. J. B. MCINTOSH, HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., THIRD DIV., CAVALRY CORPS, Major-General HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff: GENERAL: The report as given me by Lieutenant-Colonel Bacon that there were 500 infantry down the plank road (which were met by the patrol sent out this morning) I have since ascertained is not correct. Since sending the report I sent Colonel Bacon down to investigate it, and he reports that the force the patrol met was about twenty-four cavalry, who fired upon the patrol as they advanced. Our outpost on the plank road is just northwest of Tucker's house and beyond Alley's. Everything is perfectly quiet on my lines. Respectfully, J. B. MCINTOSH, The picket-line as at present established seems to form a sharp angle at Doctor Gurley's house. Is it the wish of the major-general commanding to hold the angle at Doctor Gurley's house? Respectfully, J. B. MCINTOSH, HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., THIRD DIV., CAVALRY CORPS, Maj. Gen. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff, Army of the Potomac : July 27, 1864—6 p. m. GENERAL: Everything remains quiet on my picket-line. The only place the enemy have increased their force is in front and to the left of my pickets near the Gurley house. A patrol sent toward Lee's Mill |