ing the cavalry at the bridge and take up as strong a position as you can find, with your whole force in the vicinity of Catlett's, withdrawing Crawford as far back as necessary for that purpose, but leaving some mounted men or infantry where he is. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General and Chief of Staff. ORDERS.] HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS, May 21, 1864. The command will be prepared to move to-morrow by 4 a. m., the object being to take up at that time a defensive position in this vicinity to receive an attack of the enemy should he advance in this direction. Further instructions will be sent at the time as regards the position to be taken. This is rendered necessary by difficulties having been met by General Burnside in getting to the position assigned him. By command of Major-General Warren: A. S. MARVIN, JR., Assistant Adjutant-General. [General WARREN :] HDQRS. THIRD DIVISION, FIFTH CORPS, Saturday, May 21, 1864. GENERAL: From the information I have received the enemy are intrenched at Stanard's Mill, on the road turning to the right at the Mud Tavern, about 3 miles from here. Very respectfully, [General WARREN :] S. W. CRAWFORD, Brigadier-General. SATURDAY, May 21, 1864-5 p. m. GENERAL: I have the ridge; do you wish me to go farther? S. W. CRAWFORD, HEADQUARTERS SEVENTH INDIANA VOLUNTEERS, Captain WOOD, May 21, 1864. Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., 1st Brig., 4th Div., 5th Army Corps: CAPTAIN: The flag of the Fiftieth Virginia was captured in the first day's battle by Private John N. Opel, of G Company, Seventh Indiana. I regret that it has not been forwarded before this, but it was sent to the rear and only brought up this morning. I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Regiment. HEADQUARTERS BRIGADE HEAVY ARTILLERY, [General WARREN :] GENERAL: I have the honor to report that I have reached this place with my command, and have taken up my position as below. My force is quite insufficient to hold the position against a determined attack, as this country is entirely open. I am throwing up a rail barricade (having no tools), and will hold on as long as possible. I would ask, general, that when it can be done with propriety, my command be allowed some time to rest, as we have been doing picket duty so constantly that officers and men are completely exhausted. If I can find any cattle here I will appropriate them as you suggest. Respectfully, J. HOWARD KITCHING.. At 2 a. m. the rebel bugles in front of the Third Division were blown. At 3 their drums beat and they began moving toward their right, apparently moving artillery, wagons, and cattle. The sound of the movement passed first along the line from their left toward the right, and then appeared to be toward their rear. They were chopping during the night in front of our extreme left. This is the report of the officer in charge of the Third Division pickets. He says he would have reported earlier, but that he did not ascertain the facts definitely for some time, as the sounds were a good deal confused. General HUMPHREYS: H. G. WRIGHT, SIXTH CORPS, May 21, 1864-7.10 a. m. The general officer of the day reports that since sending report this morning he had discovered that the rebel picket-line in front of Third Division is protected by works of such heights that they have shelter-tents behind them almost concealed, and they have as strong a line in men as I have. About 400 yards in rear of them are some works with two embankments that look as if intended for guns. Between their picket-line and these works is a perfectly clear field. I have suspended the advance until the relieving of the pickets, which is now commencing, is completed. H. G. WRIGHT, HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Major-General WRIGHT, Commanding Sixth Corps : A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General and Chief of Staff. SIXTH CORPS, May 21, 1864-7.45 a. m. Major-General HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff: I shall be ready to occupy my new line on the withdrawal of General Warren. I have made no arrangements for occupying position at Anderson's house, understanding from the major-general commanding that it was not important to hold it. Is this right? If desired, I could occupy it with a couple of brigades and a battery, but doubt the propriety of doing so. H. G. WRIGHT, HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, May 21, 1864-8.10 a. m. Major-General WRIGHT, Comdg. Sixth Army Corps: Your dispatch of 7.45 a. m. received. The commanding general directs that you use your own judgment in relation to occupying the Anderson house. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Mnjor-General and Chief of Staff. HEADQUARTERS SIXTH CORPS, Major-General HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff: If you can spare an engineer officer to remain with me, I shall be glad to have him. Lieutenant Benyaurd, who has been with me all night, but who has gone back to camp, has been of great service. H. G. WRIGHT, Major-General, Commanding. Major-General WRIGHT: MAY 21, 1864. Lieutenant Benyaurd is ordered to join you. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General and Chief of Staff. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Major-General WRIGHT: The major-general commanding directs me to say that you will probably move to-night and follow Hancock's route via Massaponax Church, Guiney's Station, and Bowling Green to Milford Station and over the Mattapony. General Burnside would move at the same time as yourself, taking the route between the Ny and the Po, crossing the latter at Stanard's Mill, following Warren. Major-General HUMPHREYS : A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General and Chief of Staff. SIXTH CORPS, May 21, 1864-8.25 a. m. Can you tell me about how many cavalry in Major Forsyth's command? H. G. WRIGHT, HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Major-General WRIGHT, Commanding Sixth Corps: May 21, 1864. The cavalry detachment consists of 450 men. They can only be used for pickets, vedettes, and scouts. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General and Chief of Staff. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Major-General WRIGHT, Commanding Sixth Corps: May 21, 1864-9 a. m. General Warren reports that he will be able to withdraw his pickets. at 11 o'clock. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General and Chief of Staff. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, May 21, 1864-8.30 p. m. Major-General WRIGHT, Commanding Sixth Corps: No dispatches have been received from you since the movement of to-day commenced. The commanding general desires that you will report by Captain Bates the condition of affairs with yourself, as also with General Burnside. A detachment of cavalry is watching the roads from the vicinity of Massaponax Church to Hamilton's Crossing. The commanding general wishes you to keep up frequent communication with these headquarters. Captain Bates will indicate to you the locality of headquarters. Very respectfully, &c., S. WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant-General. ORDERS.] HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, SIXTH CORPS, This division will move this afternoon, following the Second Division, in the following order: First Brigade, Third Brigade, Second Brigade, Fourth Brigade. The infantry will give the road as much as possible to the artillery and trains moving on the right of the road. By command of Brigadier-General Russell: HENRY R. DALTON, Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES, Major-General BURNSIDE, Ninth Army Corps: The Thirteenth Pennsylvania and Fifth New York Cavalry, under Colonel Hammond, are now on your left. I know nothing of Captain Pike's company, no orders having been given it from these headquarters. U. S. GRANT, HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Major-General BURNSIDE : May 21, 1864–7 a. m. I will order the tools to meet us at our next camp. There were enough at Fredericksburg and Belle Plain, but all our trains move to-day to Guiney's Station. I have not seen Captain Morris lately, though I have made every effort. RUFUS INGALLS, Brigadier-General and Chief Quartermaster. General RAWLINS, Chief of Staff: Have you any news that you can communicate this morning from. Sheridan or other armies? A. E. BURNSIDE, Major-General. |