over the river by Torbert left their tools in a rifle-pit near the bridge at which they were working. I do not anticipate any serious. obstacle, at least until our troops get in position. I send a newspaper of the 20th. General WILLIAMS, WINF'D S. HANCOCK, Major-General of, Volunteers. HEADQUARTERS SECOND CORPS, Assistant Adjutant-General, Army of the Potomac: GENERAL: The bridge over the Mattapony was preserved by our cavalry, although a good many planks were taken up. The bridge, however, has been repaired. The march has been very trying upon the troops, up all night, and to-day, very hot. Torbert sent cavalry to Burke's and to Bethel Church. I have sent out cavalry to connect with them, watching the road passing in my front. All my troops except Birney are on the other side, and he will be there shortly. I shall pass over everything and leave Torbert to guard the rear. If the enemy passes in my front within sight, I shall attack him. WINF'D S. HANCOCK, Major-General of Volunteers. HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS, Coates' House, near Milford, May 21, 1864—6.15 p. m. Brig. Gen. S. WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant-General, Army of the Potomac: GENERAL: As one of my couriers has been captured to-day, and several others with dispatches have been turned back, and as the parties sent from here report seeing your orderlies fired on when coming this way, I have directed General Torbert to send a force of cavalry to open communication, and send herewith a brief sketch of the dispatches that have failed to reach you. At 9.45 General Torbert reported that he had driven the enemy across the Mattapony at Milford. This force consisted of the Seventh and Eleventh Virginia Regiments, Kemper's old brigade, of Pickett's division, which had just come up (say last evening) from Plymouth, N. C., and Fort Darling. About 100 of them were on the left bank in rifle-pits; of these, 67 privates are captured and 7 commissioned officers. General Torbert did not feel justified in attempting a crossing with cavalry, as the south side is densely wooded. The infantry was, therefore, thrown across, and advancing rapidly, gave the enemy only time to escape from the rifle-pits they were digging, leaving their intrenching tools. The bridge was saved. Some of the planks had to be replaced. At 12 m. Barlow's division was across and Gibbon's was closely following. A pretty good position was at once secured about 1 miles from the river, and it is being intrenched. I am now all over the river with my bridge train and wagon train. One regiment holds the north bank of the river at the bridge. General Torbert sent cavalry in the direction of Burke's and Bethel 4 R R-VOL XXXVI, PT III Church. I shall send out a squadron to picket the roads passing in my front. My headquarters are at the Coates house, near the right of my line. The march has been a fatiguing one. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, WINF'D S. HANCOCK, P. S. About 50 cavalrymen attacked my picket-line at 5.12, but were at once driven away. General [GRANT]: [Indorsement.] The within just received. The officer bringing it says it is 16 miles to Hancock. I have retained him to send orders back. Warren was ordered to hold all he had gotten yesterday and to send support to his cavalry at the Ta. I have not ordered him to move till you shall so direct, and indicate the road. If he does move, he had better have another corps in rear in support. GEO. G. MEADE, Major-General. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, May 21, 1864-8 p. m. (Received 4.15 a. m. 22d.) Major-General HANCOCK, Commanding Second Corps: I am directed to say that the last dispatch received from you was dated 9 a. m. to-day, and to inform you that it has been ascertained from an intercepted dispatch that at any rate one of your notes to these headquarters has fallen into the hands of the enemy. The commanding general considers that with the cavalry force placed at your disposal, you should have kept open communication with him during the day, and he wishes you to use this cavalry force in keeping up frequent communication with these headquarters, and also with General Warren, who is now near Guiney's Bridge. The road is not safe for small parties. It has been necessary to detach a squadron of the provost guard at these headquarters to send this dispatch to you. I am, very respectfully, &c., S. WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS, May 21, 1864-8.20 p. m. (Received 4 a. m. 22d.) Major-General HUMPHREYS: GENERAL: The only incidents occurring since I came here and took position were a few shells thrown into the heavy artillery on my left to-night. This may have come from the troops from Pole Cat Station, as I heard some musketry in that direction, apparently coming from a line of nervous pickets. I have sent out to investigate it. I am very anxious to hear from you, and have ordered General Torbert to send the mail through without fail. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, WINF'D S. HANCOCK, HDQRS. CAVALRY, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Major-General HANCOCK, Commanding Second Corps: I forward to you a negro, who has just come in with 3 others from Pole Cat Station, 5 miles from here. Hoke's division arrived there about 12 m. to-day, and said he was going to clean the party out at Milford Station, supposing it was only cavalry. You may expect them if they come up on your left. I tell him that after you get through questioning him you will let him return to this place, where he lives. Will you be kind enough to send the inclosed letter to army headquarters. when you send a dispatch. Everything is quiet here. Yours, &c., A. T. A. TORBERT, Brigadier-General of Volunteers, Comdg. Cavalry. [Indorsement.] 8 P. M. This division came from Drewry's Bluff to-day, the negro states. Respectfully forwarded. WINF'D S. HANCOCK, Major-General, Commanding. CIRCULAR.] HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS, 66 Some contrabands just brought in state that Hoke's division arrived at 12 o'clock to-day from Drewry's Bluff and may be expected on our left, as believing that but a small force was here, they said they were coming to clear out the place." clear out the place." This is respectfully communicated for the information of Major-General Birney, Brigadier-General Gibbon, and Brigadier-General Tyler. General Birney will please have a picket-line established from General Tyler's left to the river. General Tyler will take such measures by placing his troops in position as may be necessary to repel any attack of this sort with certainty. By order of Major-General Hancock: WM. R. DRIVER, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS, Major-General BIRNEY: The major-general commanding directs that you leave a regiment of infantry on the other side of the river to protect the bridge in case the cavalry should be ordered away or driven in. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, FRANCIS Á. WALKER, Assistant Adjutant-General. [Indorsement.] HDQRS. THIRD DIVISION, SECOND ARMY CORPS, May 21, 1864. Brigadier-General Mott, Third Brigade, will comply with the above order and send a regiment at once. By command of Major-General Birney : F. BIRNEY, Major and Assistant Adjutant-General. Reveille was beat in our front by the enemy at 1.30. The enemy seems unusually busy chopping, &c. Picket-line quiet. Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Outposts, First Division. P. T. HANLEY, G. K. WARREN.` [Indorsement.] Generals Warren and Wright have been ordered to endeavor to drive in the enemy's pickets by advancing theirs. GEO. G. MEADE, HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Major-General WARREN : May 21, 1864-5.15 a. m. The major-general commanding directs that you push forward your pickets, and see if you can drive the enemy's pickets in. A. A. HUMPHREYS, (Same to .eneral Wright.) Major-General. MAY 21, 1864-6 a. m. General WARREN, Commanding Fifth Corps: Has any movement of the enemy been observed in your front this morning? H. G. WRIGHT, BEVERLY HOUSE SIGNAL STATION, May 21, 1864-6 a. m. General HUMPHREYS : It is very smoky this a. m. There is no change in enemy's guns or troops in front of Fifth Corps. Very respectfully, GEO. J. CLARKE, First Lieutenant, Signal Corps, U. S. Army. FIFTH CORPS, May 21, 1864--6.30 a. m. General HUMPHREYS: Just received following: HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, FIFTH CORPS-6.30 a. m. General WARREN: The enemy is in force in my front, his artillery in plain sight, and before I advance my pickets, I desire this fact to be known. picket-line is visible. [Indorsement.] A far stronger force than my CHAS. GRIFFIN, G. K. WARREN, HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Major-General WARREN: The object of advancing your pickets is to ascertain as far as such an operation will admit, the force and position of the enemy. If you are satisfied the enemy is in as full force as he was yesterday, and are positive of this without advancing your pickets, they need not be advanced, although no objection is seen to their being pushed out even under the above condition. MEADE Brigadier-General GRIFFIN: General Warren directs that your pickets fire away occasionally at the enemy's, and ascertain all they can and report. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. S. MARVIN, JR., Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Major-General WARREN, Commanding Fifth Corps: May 21, 1864-7.30 a. m. The major-general commanding directs that if you are not attacked before 10 o'clock this morning you withdraw at that hour and proceed to the Telegraph road at Massaponax Church and follow that road, crossing the Po at Stanard's Mill, and take position on the right bank of the Po. If practicable, you will relieve the portion of the Sixth Corps serving with you before withdrawing. Be careful not to pass across or on the edge of the open fields of Anderson's farm, as they are in full view of the enemy. Upon withdrawing, you will direct Major Forsyth to report to General Wright. At Massaponax Church you will find Lieutenant-Colonel Pope, with a cavalry detachment, who is directed to report to you. You will use him in establishing and keeping up communication between your right and General Burnside's command. General Burnside is in position on the left of Wright. A. A. HUMPHREYS. Major-General and Chief of Staff. |