Col. J. B. KIDDOO, HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES, Yorktown, Va., March 9, 1864. Commanding Twenty-second U. S. Colored Troops: COLONEL: Be prepared by conference with Captain Babcock, U. S. Navy, to move forward with your regiment on the transport Morgan, under convoy of one of Captain Babcock's gun-boats, at a moment's notice from me, which I shall send the moment the transports containing Duncan's brigade come in sight down the river. When you receive the order to start your instructions are as follows: You will proceed (the gun-boat in advance) directly to Sheppard's warehouse wharf, on the north bank of the Mattapony, about 1 mile above West Point, where you will immediately land your forces by the wharf, if practicable; if not, then in boats. If seriously opposed, establish yourself under the guns of Captain Babcock. If not seriously opposed, push forward a strong force with great caution, and endeavor to get an advanced picket, securely supported, established on the main road leading from Gloucester Point to King and Queen Court-House, which road is about 1 miles back from the river and runs parallel to it. This picket will be strong enough to intercept small parties or pickets of the enemy in flight toward King and Queen Court-House from my cavalry advancing northward from Gloucester Point. You may look for my cavalry about daylight to-morrow morning, when a battery (Hunt's) from them will stop and join you in reporting to me, together with three ambulances and my private horses. I expect to land at the same point and support you with Duncan's brigade about dark this evening, when you will report to me the events of the afternoon, with the particulars of your position. It is believed you will not find any opposition except from scattered bushwhackers, of which the vicinity was full yesterday, and from whom you must protect yourself by a careful system of pickets and skirmishing reconnaissances for short distances. Colonel Duncan's transports are in sight. You will execute the above order at once. I have the honor to be, colonel, very respectfully, General HECKMAN: I. J. WISTAR, BOWERS' HILL, March 9, 1864. Major Preston reports that he has been to Bernard's Mills. Found the enemy had retired beyond Jericho Creek, and had taken up the planks of the bridge. They have two batteries of four guns each posted on each side of the road on the hill, supported by three regiments of infantry, one of mounted infantry, and a regiment of cavalry. I have reports from the railroad, and the rebels yet picket at the water-tank. Mr. Yocum says a woman told him the rebels had sent a force with pontoons to cross_near Sleepy Hole for the purpose of cutting off Major Preston. I have sent two companies on the Big Point road. Have withdrawn Major Preston to Shoulder's Hill, and Major Smith has about 400 men near that point. If the enemy cross at Sleepy Hole I shall try and gobble them. N. B. LORD, Colonel, Commanding. GENERAL ORDERS, HDQRS. ARMY AND DIST. OF N. C., J New Berne, N. C., March 9, 1864. The moment when we are threatened with an advance by the enemy is the proper time to remind the gallant officers and soldiers of this command of the results of the recent operations in North Carolina. Besides the repulse of General Pickett's army at New: Berne, the following have been captured: Six officers, 281 prisoners and dangerous rebels, 500 contrabands, 250 arms and accouterments, 138 horses and mules, 11 bales of cotton, 1 piece of artillery, caisson complete, 1 flag, many saddles, harness, and wagons. Much property of the rebel Government has been destroyed from inability to remove it, as appears by a partial list: 250,000 pounds of pork, 80 barrels of lard, 75 barrels of meat, 20,000 bushels of corn, 32 barrels of beef, 5 hogsheads of sugar, 5,000 empty sacks, 1 corn-mill, 10 wagons, 1 ton of tobacco, 18 mules, 2 warehouses of salt, and 2 extensive salt manufactories. Thousands of deserters have entered the lines and resumed their allegiance to the Federal Union with joy and gladness. These valuable services will be appreciated by the Government and the people, and this brief allusion to them should stimulate all to renewed energy in the final campaign against the revolutionists. By command of Major-General Peck: BENJ. B. FOSTER, Assistant Adjutant-General. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington City, March 10, 1864. By order of the President, Maj. Gen. Henry W. Halleck is, at his own request, relieved from duty as General-in-Chief, commanding the Armies of the United States. By order of the President: EDWIN M. STANTON, WAR DEPARTMENT, March 10, 1864-1.40 p. m. Lieut. Gen. U. S. GRANT, Commander-in-Chief, Hdqrs. Army of the Potomac : Pursuant to the authority of the act of Congress approved February 29, 1864, the President, by Executive order of this date, has assigned to you the command of the Armies of the United States. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. CIRCULAR.] HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, The major-general commanding requests me to inform you that Lieutenant-General Grant has arrived at his headquarters, and will remain this afternoon and to-night. He will be happy to see you here at any time during his brief stay. (To corps commanders.) A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General, Chief of Staff. NEW YORK, March 10, 1864. Secretary of War: Hon. E. M. STANTON, If desirable I can be in Washington to-morrow morning and return here to-morrow night. A. E. BURNSIDE, Major-General. WASHINGTON CITY, March 10, 1864-4.50 p. m. General Grant has gone to the front. You had better wait until his return, of which I will notify you. EDWIN M. STANTON. ALEXANDRIA, VA., March 10, 1864-noon. Major-General PLEASONTON : Arrived with advance of my command, which will all probably be here to-morrow. Shall I send them to the front by regiments, after resting to-night, or wait till the whole comes on? General Kilpatrick is not here, and directed me to apply for instructions. I will be here until all of my men are disembarked. Shall I send dismounted men by rail or to Giesborough? H. E. DAVIES, JR., Brigadier-General. MARCH 10, 1864. Lieut. Col. J. H. TAYLOR, Chief of Staff, Department of Washington: I have the honor to report all quiet. A party of guerrillas stopped Major Willard's carriage and captured 2 horses belonging to a sutler in this command about 10 a. m. to-day, about 3 miles beyond our picket-line. They allowed the major to proceed on his way to Alexandria. R. O. TYLER, Brigadier-General, Commanding. GENERAL ORDERS, WHEELING, W. VA., March 10, 1864. In accordance with General Orders, No. 80, War Department, current series, I hereby assume command of the Department of West Virginia, headquarters at Cumberland, Md. F. SIGEL, 1 HDQRS. FOURTH DIV., DEPT. OF WEST VIRGINIA, Brigadier-General KELLEY, Cumberland: Two men, Emory and Hayden, of Baltimore, have been arrested attempting to pass lines southward, the former to join the rebel army and the latter to rejoin his company. Hayden had papers upon his person showing the military forces at Baltimore and this place. Shall I try him by military commission? Is the First Virginia Cavalry on the way here? WM. W. AVERELL, Brigadier-General. HDQRS. FOURTH DIV., DEPT. OF WEST VIRGINIA, Brigadier-General KELLEY, Comdg. Department, Cumberland: Hayden. WM. W. AVERELL, MARCH 10, 1864. Brigadier-General KELLEY, Comdg. Department, Cumberland: Nine rebels, assembled at a wedding near Winchester, were captured last night by one of my patrols, under Lieutenant Kerr, Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. All quiet. WM. W. AVERELL, HDQRS. FOURTH DIV., DEPT. OF WEST VIRGINIA, Brigadier-General SULLIVAN, Martinsburg, March 10, 1864. Commanding Division, Harper's Ferry: It is reported by one of my patrols that about 90 rebels, under Baylor, are hovering about Smithfield. WM. W. AVERELL, Brigadier-General. GETTY'S STATION, March 10, 1864. Maj. R. S. DAVIS, Assistant Adjutant-General: Have just returned from the front; all quiet. Have re-established my pickets at Bernard's Mills. The rebels threw a number of shells at them this a. m. No damage done or likely to be. C. A. HECKMAN, Brigadier-General, Commanding. GETTY'S STATION, March 10, 1864. Maj. R. S. DAVIS, Assistant Adjutant-General: I have number of men without arms. My requisitions, forwarded some two weeks since, have received no attention. I wish you would call the attention of the ordnance officer to the necessity of filling them immediately. The enemy has not advanced farther than Bernard's Mills. My cavalry are within a short distance of that point. The account in this morning's Old Dominion is incorrect. Cole's cavalry drove the enemy's cavalry every time they attacked him, and did not fall back until they opened with four pieces of artillery and attempted to flank him with three regiments of infantry, and his squadron that had been cut off dashed through the enemy and joined him. The officers say that their men performed admirably. C. A. HECKMAN, Brigadier-General. HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY RESERVE BRIGADE, Capt. GEORGE B. SANFORD, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., First Cav. Div., Culpeper, Va.: Captain Lockwood, Sixth Pennsylvania Cavalry, brigade officer of the day, brought me this morning a note, written in pencil, by Capt. Sam. Culbertson, First New York Dragoons, in charge of cavalry pickets on the left of the railroad, containing the following: I have to report that a flag of truce, borne by Colonel Terrill, commanding Thirteenth Virginia Infantry, came to the river near Cedar Run this noon, with a request from Lieutenant-General Ewell, C. S. Army, that our pickets be withdrawn beyond musket-range, to prevent conversation. The enemy have been very desirous of obtaining information from our pickets ever since General Kilpatrick went out. Major Crittenden, whose wife is in Culpeper, has three times attempted to communicate with her, as far as I can ascertain unsuccessfully. Respectfully, ALFRED GIBBS, Colonel, Commanding Brigade. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, March 11, 1864-11.39 a. m. Major-General BURNSIDE. New York: General Grant will return here to-day. It would be well for you to come on at once. The general commanding desires you to return to headquarters with such of our men as are not hurt. If General Kilpatrick is not coming immediately, you will come by way of Washington. Transportation will be furnished you on application. By command of Major-General Meade : SHARPE, Colonel. |