MY DEAR WILSON: You do not seem to have received my letter of May 7. letter of May 7. I therefore, inclose a copy of it.* After very considerable experience with General Gillmore I see no cause to alter any suggestion in it. You will allow me to say that there is not a word of truth in the report about Gillmore's supposed advice to me in regard to fortifying our lines before Drewry's Bluff, I have his written contradiction of it, which I have forwarded to the Evening Post, where the story was started by an officer of his command for his own self-glorification. I am convinced, and I think it is the judgment of any well judging officer, that General Gillmore is not fit for the command he exercises. I take leave to inclose to you also a copy of our correspondence and a copy of the newspaper article, which you may not have seen. I am, truly, yours, BENJ. F. BUTLER, Maj. Gen., Comdg. Dept. of Virginia and N. Carolina. WASHINGTON, May 28, 1864-12 noon. Generals BUTLER and GILLMORE: The Richmond and Danville and the Richmond and Gordonsville Railroads are 5 feet gauge, and the other roads west of Richmond are 4 feet 8 inches gauge. The roads in North Carolina are 4 feet 8 inches. If you can keep the road between Richmond and Hicksford cut anywhere, it will prevent the rebels from. withdrawing the rolling-stock on the Virginia railroad. In the removal of this rolling-stock they can afford to make a desperate struggle, and it is worth much to prevent their success. M. C. MEIGS, Quartermaster-General. FORT MONROE, VA., May 28, 1864-11 a. m. Your dispatch in cipher received. You are mistaken. We have no forage afloat at this place, and but three or four days' supply in store for animals in vicinity. Lieutenant Webster reports forage afloat at the front, and the requisitions of General Butler for reserve supply, about which I telegraphed you and Quartermaster-General, are but partially filled, and Colonel Shaffer, chief of staff, is writing daily to hurry up the remainder. Am sure General Butler will not consent to withdrawal of any forage from Bermuda, and General Meigs informed me in conversation that large reserve supplies should be held there. Therefore, no supply for Army of the Potomac should be expected from here, unless sent additional to my estimates. I have but one York and Pamunkey River pilot now here. The rest are up the James. They and the water transportation are *See Butler to Wilson, Part II, p. 518. engaged in movement now taking place. I will collect as many as possible at Yorktown and place them under charge of the quartermaster there, to be ready when called for. HERMAN BIGGS, Chief Quartermaster. FORT MONROE, VA., May 28, 1864-5 p. m. QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL U. S. ARMY: All our water transportation is up James River, and I presume our troops are aboard. Sent the Helen Getty, with 2 pilots, to Captain Pitkin, and the stern-wheel General Howard to General Rucker. I will send more to General Rucker as soon as they arrive. H. BIGGS, Chief Quartermaster. Colonel SHAFFER, Chief of Staff: BERMUDA, May 28, 1864. Transportation for about 20,000 men is now in the river; about thirty steamers and twenty barges, all told. C. E. FULLER, Lieutenant-Colonel and Chief Quartermaster. Colonel SHAFFER, Chief of Staff: BERMUDA, May 28, 1864. I am prepared to turn over to General Smith's quartermaster water transportation for his command as soon as he is here to receive it. General Ames' division is ready to embark. GEO. S. DODGE, Captain and Assistant Quartermaster. BERMUDA, May 28, 1864. Col. J. W. SHAFFER, Chief of Staff: In addition to the twenty-nine steamers just reported, I have twenty-three single-deck barges and one double-deck ready for service. Colonel SHAFFER: BERMUDA, May 28, 1864. The dispatch boats were not included in the estimate forwarded The Pamunkey is navigable for vessels of 5 to 5 feet draught as far up as New Castle. A. S. KIMBALL, Captain, Assistant Quartermaster. Maj. Gen. B. F. BUTLER: FORT MONROE, May 28, 1864. We must run telegraph to reach Grant. Two routes are in view by the old road from Williamsburg direct to White House, thence up north side of Pamunkey River, or across at Yorktown and up north side York River, crossing the Mattapony to West Point and thence up that peninsula. Will the commanding general indicate which route he can best protect; and, also, give the necessary orders for the protection and assistance in the work? It must be done as soon as possible. G. D. SHELDON. FORT MONROE, May 28, 1864. Major-General BUTLER: Since sending my dispatch General Halleck has given his opinion that the north side of York River is best route, as it can be guarded by small force. G. D. SHELDON. [Major ECKERT :] FORT MONROE, VA., May 28, 1864. On consulting General Carr, commanding at Yorktown and Williamsburg, he says: "It would be practicable to run a telegraph from Gloucester to West Point if the country was occupied by our forces. I think the old road from Williamsburg to West Point the best." I fear we will be troubled to get guards by either road, as everything appears to be absorbed by present movements. G. D. SHELDON. GILLMORE'S, May 28, 1864. Major-General BUTLER: I have not seen Colonel Serrell since you issued the order to him to report to General Wild. The order was sent to him at once and Major Graef was in command of regiment yesterday and is to-day. I presume the colonel obeyed the order at once and is now with General Wild. Shall I send and ascertain? Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Q. A. GILLMORE, P. S.-I have just heard that Colonel Serrell did go to General Wild yesterday. Lieut. Col. G. A. KENSEL, Assistant Inspector-General: Q. A. G. GILLMORE'S, May 28, 1864. There are in position on the line of defense eight light batteries. Seven batteries are in reserve and six 12-pounder mountain howitzers. R. H. JACKSON, Lieutenant-Colonel and Chief of Artillery. General TERRY: FLAG-SHIP SIGNAL STATION, May 28, 1864-11.30 a. m. Cavalry and wagons in considerable number have passed during the last hour or two from about Cox's toward your front. LEE, 12.40 P. M. Respectfully forwarded for General Butler's information. Q. A. GILLMORE, Colonel SHAFFER, Chief of Staff: GILLMORE'S, May 28, 1864. How many men, roughly estimated, are here to hold the line from James River to Appomattox? I merely want the round numbers. Q.. A. GILLMORE, Major-General. Major-General BUTLER : GILLMORE'S, The reorganization of Ames' and Turner's divisions, Tenth Corps, under strange commanders, will materially diminish the efficiency of those divisions. On this ground, and this only, I earnestly request that no steps of the kind be taken or allowed. Generals Ames and Turner are educated, accomplished, and efficient soldiers, and have the entire confidence and the most zealous and enthusiastic cooperation of the officers and men of their commands at all times. This frequent change of general officers is ruinous to all efficiency. Q. A. GILLMORE, Major-General, Commanding. Major-General GILLMORE: MAY 28, 1864-5.45 p. m. You will cause two 30-pounder Parrotts from the line and 200 rounds of ammunition therefor to be at abutment of pontoon bridge across the Appomattox on this side at 8 to-morrow morning. BENJ. F. BUTLER, Major-General, Commanding. SPECIAL ORDERS,} In the Field, near Hatcher's, Va., May 28, 1864. HEADQUARTERS TENTH ARMY CORPS, * * * * * * * III. The following-named light batteries are hereby organized into brigades to be commanded as follows: Battery M, First U. S. Artillery; Battery C, Third Rhode Island Artillery, and the Thirtythird New York Light Battery, to be commanded by Capt. L. L. Langdon, of the First U. S. Artillery. Battery B, First U. S. Artillery; Battery D, First U. S. Artillery, and the Fourth, New Jersey Light Battery, to be commanded by Capt. S. S. Elder, of the First U. S. Artillery. The brigade commanders above designated will report at once to Brigadier-General Terry. By command of Maj. Gen. Q. A. Gillmore: ISRAEL R. SEALY, Capt., 47th New York Vols., Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen. SPECIAL ORDERS, In the Field, near Hatcher's, Va., May 28, 1864. HEADQUARTERS TENTH ARMY CORPS, No. 28. 1. In obedience to instructions from department headquarters, the following batteries are hereby ordered to report immediately for duty to Maj. Gen. W. F. Smith, commanding Eighteenth Army Corps Battery B, First U. S. Artillery; Battery L, Fourth U. S. Artillery; Battery A, Fifth U. S. Artillery. By command of Maj. Gen. Q. A. Gillmore: ED. W. SMITH, Lieutenant-Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General. HDQRS. FIRST NEW YORK VOL. ENGINEERS, In the Field, near Hatcher's, Va., May 28, 1864. Maj. Gen. Q. A. GILLMORE, Commanding Tenth Army Corps: GENERAL: I have the honor to report that one line of wire entanglement along the intrenchments from Batteries No. 1 to No. 6, was |