thence by the junction of the Vaughan and. Church roads to Fort Dushane, for the purpose of selecting a line to be refused from the left flank toward the rear. The officers of the Engineer Corps accompanied me, and sites were selected for new works at the Clements house, near Widow Smith's, at the junction of the Vaughan and Church roads, and near Forey's, the latter west of Fort Dushane. The whole of the available force of both the regular Engineer Battalion and the Fiftieth New York Volunteer Engineers were ordered at the same time to be in readiness to commence these works-part to report at the Peebles house and part near Forey's. Lieutenant Howell laid out and constructed one at Clements' house. This commands the Squirrel Level road, and also the one leading to Hawks' on the Duncan road. It was very nearly completed to-day. He also traced a small redoubt about the center line between this latter work and that near the Pegram house, which will be commenced to-morrow. Captain Gillespie, assisted by Lieutenant Benyaurd, planned the one at Forey's, and, subsequently, turned it over to Captain McDonald. The other two were traced by Captain Harwood, assisted by Lieutenant Phillips. These were afterward placed under the charge of Captains Van Brocklin and Folwell. Lieutenant Phillips was at that time temporarily detached and ordered to report to General Benham, to assist in the construction of the works in front of City Point. In consequence of Captain Gillespie's sickness, and the necessity also of completing the works in the vicinity of the Appomattox, Lieutenant Benyaurd was detached from the work at Forey's and directed to take charge of the operations along the line in front of the Second Corps. He is now engaged in repairs at Forts Sedgwick, Davis, and McGilvery, and in the construction of the line between the latter and Fort Stedman. The following extracts from Colonel Spaulding's report will give in detail the progress of the new line of works between Fort Dushane and the Clements house:

On the morning of the 4th, by your order, one-half of my available command reported at Fort Dushane under the command of Major Brainerd, and the other half under Major Beers reported at the Peebles house. During the day several additional forts were laid out on the rear line and the work commenced. In the evening, by your direction and upon consultation with Captain Harwood, it was agreed that the latter, with the regular Engineer Battalion, should retain charge of the fort at the Clements house and the other three on this line should be turned over to officers and men of my command. I accordingly assigned Captain Van Brocklin with two companies to the charge of the square redoubt near the Smith house; Captain Folwell with two companies to the pentagonal fort on the left of the Smith house (junction of the Vaughan and Church roads), and Captain McDonald with two companies to the fort on the right of Fort Dushane. Captain Van Brocklin reports the front of the fort nearly completed, two barbette and two embrasure platforms ready for armament, and the work upon the flanks and rear half done. Captain Folwell reports his fort in defensible condition, but it will require two or three days to complete the work. Captain McDonald reports his fort three-fourths completed and platforms ready for three guns.

In the topographical department, I have to report the completion of the "Map of the environs of Petersburg, from the Appomattox River to the Weldon road, showing the position of the intrenched lines occupied by the U. S. forces during the siege," and that the original has been sent to Washington to be photographed. The northern part of "Copy of section of photograph map captured from the enemy, showing country adjacent to Richmond and lines of defensive works surrounding the city," has also been completed and forwarded to be photographed. Other sections of the same map are now being copied. All the campaign sheets, except the Richmond one, are finished and photographed, and already two of them are in the hands of the engraver

That one is also complete, with the exception of the lettering, and in the latter work considerable progress has been made. The measurements of the plans and profiles of the different field-works and batteries already constructed have been made, and the drawings are in course of construction. Some eight or nine are finished, but not yet copied. Accurate surveys of the lines recently taken up to the west of the Weldon railroad, together with the general features of the neighboring country, are being carried on as rapidly as possible. A rough sketch is herewith respectfully submitted.

I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
N. MICHLER,

Major of Engineers, U. S. Army, Acting Chief Engineer. Lieut. Col. T. S. BOWERS,

Asst. Adjt. Gen., Hdqrs. Armies of the U. S., City Point, Va.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF. THE POTOMAC,
OFFICE OF CHIEF ENGINEER,

October 15, 1864.

COLONEL: For the information of Lieutenant-General Grant I have the honor to submit the following report of the engineering operations. of this army, carried on under my direction, during the week ending to-day:

In addition to field-works mentioned in my last to be in course of construction, the site for a small redoubt was selected about the center of the line between those at the Clements and Pegram houses, and also the positions of two new batteries located in proximity to them. These, together with the redoubt at Clements' house, are being constructed under the immediate charge of Lieutenant Howell, assisted by the troops of the U. S. Engineer Battalion, with details from the Ninth Corps. The latter work has been completed, and in the former two faces are finished and the other two very nearly so. I subsequently directed that officer to inclose the two batteries, and they have been raised as high as the barbettes. The completion of the line between the Appomattox and Fort Davis has been personally superintended by Lieutenant Benyaurd. That part between Forts Stedman and McGilvery is very nearly finished, and the fraise in its front is being rapidly pushed forward each night. The section between Forts Sedgwick and Davis is about two-thirds advanced. Owing to the extended line occupied by the Second Corps, but small working details can be obtained from it. A deserter having reported that the enemy were driving a gallery for the purpose of mining one of our works, and from his information inferring that it might be Battery 21, adjoining Fort Sedgwick, I made an inspection of the ground to ascertain the practicability of any such effort. From the great distance between the two lines at the point indicated, over 1,800 feet, the intervening space being perfectly level and our picket-line being advanced about 600 feet in the direction of the entrance of the supposed gallery, and no indication of its existence being observed, such as the presence of air shafts, or fires, or other mechanical means to produce ventilation, I was not disposed to credit the story. As a precautionary measure, however, Lieutenant Benyaurd was directed to sink shafts within the battery and run out listening galleries for fifty or sixty feet. Fort Sedgwick had been

* To appear in the Atlas.

previously encircled by several wells, connected by galleries, which had become filled by the late rains. These would necessarily be drained by the construction of any galleries in their immediate neighborhood. At the request of Major-General Barnard, I accompanied him on the 13th along certain parts of the line, visiting Forts Rice, Sedgwick, and Davis.

In addition to the general superintendence of two or three works with which he was charged, Captain Gillespie was directed to make a reconnaissance on our left flank and ascertain, if possible, the position and direction of the enemy's line of works. He was subsequently charged with the direction of some surveys in that locality. Lieutenant Phillips is still temporarily detached on duty with General Benham, assisting in the construction of the line of works in front of City Point. Captain Harwood, in addition to the necessary details connected with the command of the Battalion of Engineers, aided me in some examination of the line between Fort Alexander Hays and the Pegram house, to ascertain whether or not it could be materially advanced and shortened, so as to be held by a less number of men, and should such prove to be the case, would there be any particular advantage gained proportionate to the amount of labor to be expended in intrenching a new line and constructing a new series of field-works. A report, in answer to these questions, was submitted on the 12th to the commanding general of this army. The following extracts from Lieutenant-Colonel Spaulding's weekly report of the operations of the detachment of the Fiftieth New York Volunteer Engineers will furnish a statement of the condition and progress of the works located by me on the 2d and 4th instant, those under the special charge of Lieutenant Howell having been already noticed, and of the advanced stage of the others, Forts Stevenson, Blaisdell, and McMahon, near the Jerusalem plank road. Work upon these had been temporarily suspended during the late movement of the Army of the Potomac, but was resumed by my direction as soon as the officers and men previously engaged in their construction could be spared from the new line west of the Weldon railroad. The length of that line is over six miles, and the greater part has already been strongly intrenched, and either a strong abatis or fraise, together with heavy slashing, forms a serious obstacle in its front. Eleven redoubts have also been located at different points along it [which] for perfection and beauty of finish few field-works can surpass, especially when the short period of time to construct them is taken into consideration. The following form parts of Colonel Spaulding's report:

Captain Pettes has completed the redoubt on the front line at the left of Fort Wadsworth, and it is now occupied by the garrison. At the date of my last weekly report, Lieutenant Van Rensselaer was engaged on the redoubt near the Chappell house, on the Squirrel Level road. This fort was completed on the evening of the 11th instant. On Wednesday I sent Lieutenant Van Rensselaer to report to General Parke for temporary duty on his lines. Since that time he has been engaged with a small detail from the command in cutting roads from General Ayres' headquarters east through the woods, and also in charge of details from the Ninth Corps in making infantry and artillery roads in rear of the lines of that corps. Captain Hine completed the redoubt near the Pegram house on Sunday last, and during Monday forenoon was engaged with two companies of this command in slashing in front of the Ninth Corps. On Monday afternoon I directed him to proceed to Fort Blaisdell and complete the work upon that fort, and also upon Fort McMahon. Fort Blaisdell was completed on Friday evening with a double line of abatis in front. This morning the work was resumed on Fort McMahon. The parapets of this work are complete and the work ready for the guns, but several days will be required to finish the bomb-proof and other interior works. Captain Van Brocklin remained in charge of the redoubt near the Smith house until Monday morning, 10th instant, with two companies of this command and details of infantry.

On the evening of the 9th Captain Van Brocklin reported this work as very nearly completed; the embrasures and gun platforms-eight in number-finished except covering with corduroy; the infantry banquettes nearly finished. The parapet was also nearly completed, but no abatis had been built.

On the morning of the 10th instant I directed Captain Van Brocklin to return with his company to Fort Stevenson, which had been left unfinished at the time of the late move of the army, leaving Captain Schenck to complete the work near the Smith house. Since that time Captain Schenck has completed the work, including a substantial abatis. At noon on Wednesday Captain Folwell reported his redoubt on the Vaughan road complete and ready for artillery and garrison. He had had also the timber in front and on the flanks of the work extensively slashed.

On the evening of the 11th Captain McDonald reported his redoubt on the rear line, south of Fort Dushane, complete except the abatis. This work has five guns en barbette and two in embrasure. A strong abatis has since been placed around the work by Captain McDonald, the woods in front slashed, good arrangements made for drainage, an arrangement of sand-bags made for the protection of the gunners of one barbette gun, and sand-bag protection placed on the parapets with loop-holes for sharpshooters. Since the 10th instant Captain Van Brocklin has been engaged with one company of this command upon Fort Stevenson, but had no infantry detail until this afternoon, when one regiment reported for work upon this fort. Three barbette platforms will be completed this evening and ready for use. Sixteen embrasures are

also finished, but the platforms are not finished. In his report of last evening, Captain Van Brocklin stated that it would require a daily detail of 800 men for five days to complete this work. On the 10th I sent Captain Palmer with one company of this command to complete the work on Battery No. 40. This work was completed on the evening of the 12th. No abatis was placed in front of the work, but the slashing in front and for a considerable distance upon each flank present great obstructions to the movement of troops. On Friday I directed Captain Schenck to proceed to Fort Sedgwick with, his company for the purpose of completing the unfinished work on that fort, and on his way to report to you for instructions. This work was commenced this morning, but I have not yet received a report of the progress made during the day. On Wednesday of this week I directed Major Beers to proceed to the right of the line near Fort McGilvery, taking with him one company of this command, Lieutenant Taylor commanding, and make arrangements for constructing a fraise in front of the new line. He selected the position for the fraise, made arrangements with the assistant adjutant-general Second Corps for teams and details of infantry, and left Lieutenant Taylor in charge. Lieutenant Taylor reports 850 feet of this fraise constructed, and that he will be able to get in about 500 feet each night.

In addition to the operations already enumerated, I have the honor to report that Captain Paine, aide-de-camp, and Lieutenant Lydecker, U. S. Engineers, were directed to make certain examinations and reconnaissances of the present line, and to locate as near as possible that of the enemy's works. The latter officer was also called upon to make an inspection and ascertain the position and space occupied by the different brigades and divisions of the Fifth and Ninth Corps. In the topographical department the assistants have been engaged in making accurate surveys of the country west of the Weldon railroad as far out as the cavalry picket-line and of the newly intrenched lines. Measurements were also made of the different new redoubts. The former are being plotted, and drawings made of the latter. The ground has also been examined between the present terminus of the military railroad, near the Yellow Tavern, and the Pegram house, for the purpose of extending that road. Surveys have been made of the proposed route. A base has been cut in front of Fort Howard along the line of infantry pickets and a triangulation made to locate the position of some points of the main works of the enemy in front of Petersburg. A map of these different surveys is in course of compilation. Tracings are also being made of the detailed drawings of the different field-works recently constructed, and also of those along the first and main line occupied by the enemy in front of Petersburg upon the advance of the army in June, for the purpose of photographing them. The lettering on the Richmond sheet, one of the series of campaign maps, is still progress

ing, but owing to other miscellaneous business requiring the attention of the assistant engaged upon it, will not be completed until the end of the week. The "Copy of section of photograph map captured from the enemy, showing country adjacent to Richmond and lines of defensive works surrounding the city" has been photographed and copies sent during the week for the use of the lieutenant-general. Other sections are being copied, but have been delayed in consequence of the many calls made at different times for the original. Inspections of the different works were frequently made during the week, and it is with great satisfaction that I have to report that all have been constructed in the most satisfactory manner and with great rapidity. I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, N. MICHLER, Major of Engineers, U. S. Army, Acting Chief Engineer. Lieut. Col. T. S. BOWERS, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Hdqrs. Armies of the U. S., City Point, Va.

HDQRS. ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, ENGINEER DEPT.,
October 22, 1864.

COLONEL: The following report of the engineering operations of this army during the week ending to-day is respectfully submitted for the information of Lieutenant-General Grant:

On the 16th, accompanied by Captain Gillespie and Lieutenant Benyaurd, U. S. Engineers, I passed over the ground between Fort McGilvery and the Rushmore house for the purpose of making a critical examination of the enemy's line, to ascertain whether he had lately constructed any new works between Petersburg and Fort Clifton, and also to select sites for any additional works that might be needed between the Avery house and Point of Rocks to strengthen our line. The latter duty was performed and several localities were designated as important points along a second or rear line, namely, in close proximity to the Avery, Dunn, and Jordan houses, and one also near Battery No. 3, and another between Batteries Nos. 1 and 2. In regard to the enemy's works, although repairs had apparently been made to some of them, small details being observed at work, still but one new one was in course of construction. The one referred to is in front of Fort McGilvery and on the banks of the Appomattox, apparently a small redoubt forming part of his line around Petersburg. During the week inspections were frequently made of the progress of the works to the west of the Weldon railroad; on the 21st accompanying Generals Grant and Meade along the whole line. On the 20th, by direction of the commanding general, I visited City Point with the medical director of the army for the purpose of choosing the ground for a general field hospital, upon which the necessary winter barracks are to be built. A beautiful place was found between the railroad and Bailey's Creek, on the bluff overlooking the James River. Besides the convenience of the locality to the river, it possesses the advantages of retirement and security as well as those of health. Fine springs here and there burst forth from the banks, sufficient to supply every want. The officers attached .to the Engineer Battalion, in addition to their company duties, have continued their labors of last week. Lieutenant Howell has had charge of Forts Cummings, Sampson, Gregg, and Conahey, all of which are occupied by the required garrisons with the necessary armament, except the last; this, too, is now very nearly completed. Lieutenant Ben