Major-General MEADE: HEADQUARTERS SIXTH ARMY CORPS, The head of my column arrived about ten minutes since, and is massing on the north bank of the Chickahominy, preparatory to crossing when the bridge is completed. Have just heard that head of General Burnside's column was at Olivet Church, five miles from here, I think, at 2.20 p. m. I propose crossing to-night, and starting at 4 a. m. tomorrow for Charles City Court-House. My men are much exhausted, as the march has been a long one, much longer than I had supposed from the maps. ORDERS.] H. G. WRIGHT, Major-General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS SIXTH CORPS, The corps will resume its march for Charles City Court-House tomorrow at 4 a. m., in the following order: First, Second Division, with two batteries; second, headquarters and intrenching wagons; third, Third Division; fourth, Artillery Brigade; fifth, First Division, one battery; sixth, ambulances and wagons. Brigadier-General Russell will designate a strong brigade to act as rear guard, and the medical director will assign such ambulances to the Second and Third Divisions as he considers necessary to accompany them. The pickets will be withdrawn under direction of their respective division commanders in time to join their divisions on the march. By command of Major-General Wright: General HUMPHREYS, C. H. WHITTELSEY, HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS, Chief of Staff: We arrived here this morning at daybreak and found that Captain Peirce had ordered the general trains of the Second, Sixth, and Fifth Corps over the road by Saint Peter's Church, which was the route we were ordered to take instead of ordering them by New Kent Court-House, as was the distinct understanding with me. The delay would not have. been so great had these trains traveled all night as our troops did, but instead of that they hauled out by side of the road and took a good night's rest. They were just starting out as I arrived here, and the last of the Second Corps ambulances are just now leaving this place. The road is very narrow and completely blocked, so that my command cannot pass until they are out of the way. I have just returned from the road, where I have been endeavoring to urge the trains along. I hope to make Jones' Bridge some time this afternoon. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant. A. E. BURNSIDE, Major-General of Volunteers. P. S.-Our command and pickets were withdrawn without the knowledge of the enemy. The last reports make the enemy firing at one of our battery epaulements after our pickets were a mile off. HEADQUARTERS SIXTH ARMY CORPS, Major-General BURNSIDE: I have in part crossed the Chickahominy and shall finish crossing and get into position, I hope, by dark, bringing everything across the river so as to leave the bridge free for you in the morning. At 4 a. m. tomorrow this corps will resume its march for Charles City (distant about seven miles from the river); and as you take the same road as myself you can decide when to start so as not to be delayed by me. Three hours is not too much time to allow me for drawing out on the road. Very respectfully, H. G. WRIGHT, Major-General, Commanding. CIRCULAR.] HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS, The following will be the order of march to-morrow morning: General Willcox will have the advance, and will start from his present position at 4 a. m.; General Ledlie will be in readiness to follow General Willcox, and General Potter will bring up the rear. The wagons, herds of cattle, and ambulances will be arranged in the march as they were to-day. Engineer troops will be in advance under charge of Major Morton. By command of Major-General Burnside: D. R. LARNED, Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS SECOND DIVISION, NINTH ARMY CORPS, General A. E. BURNSIDE, Ninth Army Corps: June 13, 1864-8.15 a. m. GENERAL: I halted in pursuance of your order after closing up on the First Division, and am waiting for the First Division to move on again, as the order said nothing about changing our position in line of march. I am ready to move at any time at once. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, ROBERT B. POTTER, HDQRS. THIRD DIVISION, NINTH ARMY CORPS, GENERAL: General Hartranft has come in with the pickets. They were withdrawn without suspicion. The latest advices of the enemy are that they were keeping up a brisk fire on Redoubt Fletcher after our people left. I have picketed both roads in my immediate rear. The devil or something got into my forage train last night, and it incontinently skedaddled. I have sent an officer to the White House post haste, with orders to bring forage on after us to Jones' Bridge. you honor me by informing me the cause of the present halt. Will Very respectfully, HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS, Major-General HUMPHREYS: My advance is within a mile of the crossing of White Oak Swamp. So far has met no serious opposition, though it has been skirmishing all the way from Long Bridge with a part of Gordon's brigade. The road is barricaded at many points. We are, therefore, delayed considerably. We hear nothing of the enemy's movements. Warren's corps is close behind me. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. H. WILSON, Brigadier-General. HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS, Near White Oak Swamp Bridge, June 13, 1864—8.30 a. m. Maj. Gen. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff: GENERAL: We have driven the enemy's cavalry across White Oak Swamp and hold the ridge commanding the crossing. One of General Crawford's brigades is now relieving my cavalry in holding this position. I have directed Colonel Chapman to move out on the New Market road, and to watch well the Charles City, Central, Quaker, and Malvern Hill roads. Your dispatch of 7.45 a. m. just received. The enemy has a battery on the north side of White Oak Swamp, occupying one of McClellan's old works, which shows some evidence of having been recently repaired. The battery was not in front of us this morning till we reached White Oak, where it may have been previously placed in position, but I observed at least one piece coming into position from the direction of Bottom's Bridge. If White Oak Swamp is impracticable this position can be held by one corps against almost any force. Its only danger would be from the roads toward Richmond. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. H. WILSON, Brigadier-General, Commanding Division. HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS, Near White Oak Swamp Bridge, June 13, 1864—11 a. m. Major-General HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff: GENERAL: Colonel Chapman's brigade met about an hour ago Gary's brigade of cavalry, consisting of Hampton's (old) Legion, Seventh South Carolina, Third and Forty-second Virginia Regiments, who have been stationed at or near the junction of New Market and Charles City road for some time. Prisoners state they know nothing of any of the enemy's movements. Chapman is still advancing. We have lost 15 to 20 men. General Crawford's division occupies the cross-roads and holds the crossing over White Oak Swamp. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. H. WILSON, Brigadier-General, Commanding Division. HDQRS. ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES, Clarke's House, two miles west of Charles City Court-House, Maj. Gen. B. F. BUTLER, Bermuda Hundred, Va.: June 13, 1864-4.20 p.m. Head of column has just reached this place. Will be at Fort Powhatan to commence crossing by 10 a. m. to-morrow. Communicate with me if infantry can be transferred rapidly from Wilcox's Wharf. If so, please direct quartermaster to make all necessary preparations immediately. U. S. GRANT, HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, Lieutenant-General GRANT, Commanding Armies of the United States: GENERAL: Major Babcock has reported to me with your dispatch. Owing to the burning of the wharves it may take a little time to be ready to transfer troops from Wilcox's Wharf to Wind-Mill Point, which is directly opposite; but I have ordered barges, landing material, and water transportation down there. You will then land about fourteen miles from Petersburg. There were this morning but about 2,000 men in Petersburg, partly militia. I can, by 3 o'clock to-morrow, have 3,000 well mounted cavalry ready to co-operate with you against Petersburg. General Weitzel is at Fort Powhatan, and will have a bridge ready there, I think, by 10 a. m. to-morrow. General Benham's pontoon train will also be at Fort Powhatan to-night. I should be very happy to meet you at my headquarters. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES, Maj. Gen. B. F. BUTLER, Comdg. Dept. of Va. and N. C., Bermuda Hundred, Va.: GENERAL: You will please turn over to such officers of the quartermaster's and engineer departments as Maj. Gen. George G. Meade, commanding Army of the Potomac, may designate, all the ferry-boats and other transportation available, including the pontoon-boats and bridging material you have at your command, to be used in crossing the army to the south side of the James River. This is not intended to interfere with any bridge you may have laid absolutely necessary for your operations. Also immediately cause the boats you have loaded with stone to be sunk so as to obstruct navigation at a point in the James River above where our gun-boats run, but within reach of their protection, that they may prevent the enemy's removing them should he attempt to do so. By command of Lieutenant-General Grant: JNO. A. RAWLINS, Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff. Colonel SHAFFER, Chief of Staff: FORT MONROE, June 13, 1864. By order of General Grant I send all ferry-boats and bridging material to Fort Powhatan, to remain there subject to orders of General Grant, through General Butler or General Meade. I have placed the boats in charge of Captain Lubey, Fifteenth New York Engineers, and Captain Robbins, Fiftieth New York Engineers. Am sending nails, spikes, rope, and lumber. Of the latter hope to get about 200,000 feet off to-day. HERMAN BIGGS, Lieutenant-Colonel and Quartermaster. Colonel SHAFFER: BERMUDA, June 13, 1864. We have ready dispatch-boats Winants and Hancox, mail-boat Thomas Powell, steamer Emily, and at City Point Lady Lincoln and Sylvan Shore. Everything else has gone. We have only the barges that make the docks. General BUTLER: C. E. FULLER, Lieutenant-Colonel, &c. BERMUDA, June 13, 1864. Colonel Dent, of General Grant's staff, is on his way out to see you on very important business. C. E. FULLER, HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, Col. J. W. SHAFFER, Chief of Staff: June 13, 1864. COLONEL: The following dispatch has just been received, and is respectfully forwarded for the information of the commanding general: SPRING HILL SIGNAL STATION, June 13, 1864-2.10 p. m. Captain NORTON: Heavy clouds of dust are seen rising on the road from Petersburg to Spring Hill, apparently caused by the marching of troops. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, GARRETT, Sergeant, Signal Corps. L. B. NORTON, Captain and Chief Signal Officer. |