with four batteries of artillery, rationed for six days, was sent to destroy the Weldon railroad and interrupt the enemy's communications. By night-fall of the 7th Major-General Warren reached Sussex Court-House, having crossed the Nottoway at Freeman's Ford. On the 8th General Warren moved on the railroad, striking it at the crossing of the Nottoway, where he destroyed the bridge, 100 yards in length. Keeping his command well in hand, General Warren then moved down the road, effectually and completely destroying it as far as Belfield, on the Meherrin River, a distance of over sixteen miles. At Hicksford, opposite Belfield, where General Warren arrived on the 10th, he found the enemy strongly posted, with artillery in position, prepared to defend the bridge over the Meherrin, and dispute the passage of the river. His supplies not justifying any delay, General Warren made no attempt to dislodge the enemy, but returned to camp through Sussex Court-House, arriving here on the 12th, sending his cavalry on his left up the railroad as far as Jarratt's Station. These movements of General Warren were unopposed by the enemy, except by his cavalry, which hovered around Warren's command, and with whom Gregg had several skirmishes. The day after General Warren moved, on the 8th, I dispatched a small command of cavalry down the Vaughan road to endeavor to ascertain the movements of the enemy. On arriving at Hatcher's Run the crossing was found obstructed and strongly guarded. On the 9th a division of infantry, under General Miles, was sent to Hatcher's Run, who succeeded by noon in forcing the passage and permitting the cavalry to cross; who were then thrown forward as far as the intersection of the Vaughan and Quaker roads. From prisoners and the contents of a mail captured on its way from Stony Creek it was satisfactorily ascertained that the enemy's cavalry had followed Warren, and that on the 7th Hill's corps had moved to Dinwiddie Court-House. On the 10th the cavalry on the left reported hearing continuous artillery firing in the direction of Warren, and on the presumption of his being engaged Brevet Major-General Potter, commanding division, Ninth Corps, was sent in the direction of Sussex Court-House to communicate with and be in support of Warren. General Potter reached the Nottoway at Freeman's Ford by daylight on the 11th, and soon afterward, receiving intelligence of the return of Warren's column, returned to camp. During the progress of these operations the weather was extremely unfavorable. A violent hail storm occurring on the 9th, and the weather being extremely cold, caused much suffering to the inen, and necessarily interrupted the progress of the expedition. The march of General Potter's command during the night of the 10th, and in a heavy rain, was conducted in a most creditable manner. The result of the expedition was the complete destruction of sixteen miles of the railroad, preventing its use beyond Hicksford, which, unless the damages are repaired, is in effect depriving the enemy from using it beyond Weldon. The whole expedition was well managed, and reflects credit on Major-General Warren and his command. GEO. G. MEADE, Major-General, Commanding. Lieut. Gen. U. S. GRANT. ADDENDA. Abstract from tri-monthly returns showing the "present for duty equipped," or effective strength of the armies operating against Richmond, under Lieut. Gen. U. S. Grant, for August 31, September 30, October 31, November 30, and December 31, 1864. Command. Abstract from tri-monthly returns showing the "present for duty equipped,” &c.—Cont'd. OCTOBER 31. ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. Provost guard (Patrick) 38 742 10 308 48 Guards and orderlies.. 1 28 1 1, 050 Artillery (Hunt). Second Army Corps (Hancock). 1,098 29 1, 336 Fifth Army Corps (Warren) 27 1,320 Ninth Army Corps (Parke) Second Cavalry Division (Gregg) 15, 586 Abstract from tri-monthly returns showing the "present for duty equipped," &c.—Cont'd. DECEMBER 31-Continued. Officers. ARMY OF THE JAMES. Twenty-fourth Army Corps (Terry) Defenses of Bermuda Hundred Fort Pocahontas (Carr) 4th Massachusetts Cavalry (Rand) Total....... Grand aggregate. 420 10,991 Arm. 532 14,074 11 85 11 74 Itinerary of the Army of the Potomac and Army of the James.* ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. Volunteer Engineer Brigade. August 1 to 9.-Troops at work on the defenses and policing the river-bank. August 10.-Bridge at Broadway Landing, on the Appomattox, taken up and brought down to City Point. August 13.-Sent a bridge of thirty-six boats with Captain Henderson to Deep Bottom. August 20.-Eight boats, with material, sent to Captain Lubey, at Jones' Neck. Raft of thirty-six boats, under Captain Slosson, sent to Broadway Landing, and bridge laid. August 21.-Captain Henderson, with his bridge of thirty-six boats, returned from Deep Bottom. August 22.-Captain Slosson returned to City Point from Broadway Landing with his bridge of thirty-six boats. During the remainder of the month several experiments were made which showed the practicability of towing pontoon bridges ready laid even against strong tides. From returns of the commands indicated for August to December, 1864. Aggregate. September 19.-Two brigades of infantry from the Eighteenth Corps reported to General Benham, and were stationed near Old CourtHouse. September 27.-The two brigades of infantry belonging to the Eighteenth Corps broke camp and marched to join General Butler's command, leaving two regiments of Pennsylvania volunteer infantry at Old Court-House. December 1 to 10.-Details at work at quartermaster's department, hospital department, and cattle herd. December 10.-The whole command ordered to the lines in front of Petersburg, to report to Major-General Parke, commanding Ninth Corps; troops bivouacked near Avery's house and at Meade's Station. December 11.-Whole command moved to near Avery's house. December 12.-Ordered to return to City Point. December 13 to 16.-Details sent to the hospital, &c., for fatigue. December 16.-Ordered to send 1,000 men to report to General Ferrero, Bermuda Hundred Defenses. Lieutenant-Colonel Clough sent. SECOND ARMY CORPS.* August 1.-In camp before Petersburg, Va.; corps headquarters at Deserted House. August 12.-Broke camp at 3 p. m. and moved to City Point, Va. August 13.-Embarked on transports and sailed for Deep Bottom, Va. August 14.-Disembarked at Deep Bottom at 9 a. m.; Third Division sent forward, with one brigade thrown out as skirmishers; slight skirmishing, the enemy falling back to their intrenched line. August 15.-Slight skirmishing all day. August 16.-Held position of day previous, the First Division having advanced their line by carrying position of the enemy's works. August 17.-Held same position. August 18.-Third Division ordered to relieve a division of the Ninth Corps in works in front of Petersburg. August 20.-Held same position; commenced recrossing the James River at 7.30 p. m., and reached camp near Deserted House at 6.30 a. m. [21st.] August 21.-At 1 p. m. First and Second Divisions of corps moved toward Weldon railroad; encamped near Aiken's house. August 22.-First Division sent to destroy railroad and support the cavalry. August 23 and 24.-Destroying railroad. August 25.-The Second Division ordered to make a reconnaissance and to destroy railroad; skirmishing during the morning and heavy attack during afternoon; withdrew at dark, the First and Second Divisions taking position near Williams' house. August 26.-Held same position. August 27.-Moved two divisions near Jones' house, where they remained, supporting different parts of the line and furnishing fatigue details for the completion of the different works. September 1.-The Third Division was holding intrenched line from the Strong house to Norfolk railroad. The First and Second Divisions in reserve, engaged in completing defensive works, especially the rear line, from Norfolk railroad to Jerusalem plank road. September 24.-At night the First and Second Divisions relieved the Tenth Corps from line of works. *Commanded by Maj. Gen. Winfield S. Hancock to November 26, 1864, then by Maj. Gen. Andrew A. Humphreys. |