dier-General Benham, in charge of the bridge, and defer to his wishes in their movement across. Hold your command ready to move over to-morrow. GEO. G.-MEADE, P. S.-Please acknowledge receipt. CIRCULAR.] HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS, In accordance with the inclosed order,† you will at once get in readiness all your artillery trains and wagons, except three ammunition wagons and four ambulances to each division, to move across the bridge over the James River, under the direction of General Benham. General Ledlie will detail Colonel Marshall's brigade as guard to the trains. Colonel Marshall will report to General Benham immediately on his arrival at the bridge and receive his instructions. After crossing the bridge he will park his trains at least a mile from the river, so as not to interfere with the passage of troops. The officers in charge of artillery and wagons and Captain Marsh, chief of ambulance corps, will report to Colonel Marshall for instructions at once. This order should be carried out as promptly as possible. (To division commanders.) A. E. BURNSIDE, HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS, Maj. Gen. A. A. HUMPHREYS, June 14, 1864-11.50 a. m. Chief of Staff, Army of the Potomac: Your dispatches of 9.30 and 10 a. m. are just received. Chapman's brigade engaged with the enemy all day yesterday; have exhausted their supply of ammunition, and I have but three wagon-loads in reserve for them. As soon as this is issued and McIntosh joins I shall proceed to carry out your instructions. I have already directed your cavalry to be relieved. Last night my skirmishers took two prisoners from Wilcox's division, of Hill's corps, near the cross-roads at which we were stationed. They said they had left their intrenchments near Bottom's Bridge about 10 a. m., and had marched to the Charles City CrossRoads, near Riddell's, where late in the afternoon they were engaged in throwing up intrenchments. Some time before sunset they moved toward Malvern Hill, though it is not known that they were intending to go there. From the fact that about half an hour before sundown we were sharply attacked by cavalry and infantry, and although driven back were not pursued, it may be that the enemy were simply engaged in establishing a line from White Oak Swamp to Malvern Hill or that direction, and were feeling us for the purpose of divining our intention. This view of the case is strengthened by the fact that while no part of the enemy succeeded in crossing White Oak bridge they were observed from about noon passing in considerable force along the north bank of the swamp. I reported in the morning that Chapman had + See next, ante. *Or June 15, 12.30 a. m. reached the junction of the Charles City and New Market roads and pushed parties some distance upon them, the force opposing him there being a brigade of mounted infantry. I supposed that the fact in this communication would have been made known to you by General Warren. My losses yesterday were not less than 50 killed and wounded. I have just heard that a portion of General Crawford's pickets not relieved last night came in from vicinity of White Oak crossing since daylight and report no signs of the enemy there. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. H. WILSON, Brigadier-General, Commanding Division. HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS, Major-General HUMPHREYS: Captain Beaumont, of my staff, has just returned from Colonel McIntosh's advance on the road to Saint Mary's Church, and reports that his advance had met the enemy about four miles from here. The strength of the enemy had not been determined. Our cavalry was still advancing. Colonel McIntosh has been directed to report his progress. J. H. WILSON, Brigadier-General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS, Maj. Gen. A. A. HUMPHREYS, June 14, 1864-6.30 p. m. Chief of Staff, Army of the Potomac : GENERAL: Col. George H. Chapman has marched with his brigade as far as Phillips' without any serious resistance, and is endeavoring to communicate with Colonel McIntosh, on the road to Saint Mary's Church. I have sent him 50,000 rounds of ammunition this evening, and hope to be able to supply him fully by to-morrow morning. Your very obedient servant, Brigadier-General, J. H. WILSON, Commanding Division. HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE, THIRD DIVISION, Capt. L. SIEBERT, Assistant Adjutant-General: June 14, 1864, Your dispatch received. I am now at Saint Mary's Church, arriving at 8 p. m., with a reserve at Smith's, picketing the road toward Nancy's so far as a stream, and also the right-hand road toward the Long Bridge. Will shove out on both those roads to-morrow morning. One hour and a half ago I sent a squadron to communicate with Colonel Chapman at Phillips' house. The patrol sent to communicate with Colonel Chapma has just returned, and I will keep the communication open by picke and by patrolling. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. B. MCINTOSH, Colonel, Commanding Brigade. P. S.-The only party I met coming out here was a scouting party about fifty to seventy-five men who had gone out from this point. I hav taken one prisoner, who is a mounted infantryman. He states he belong to Hampton Legion, and is under Colonel Gary, who commands his bi gade. Colonel Gary's brigade is not yet raised. This prisoner state that they were sent out by General Ransom, of Richmond; that the had mounted themselves a short time since. Ambulances arrived a right. Respectfully, [Indorsement.] J. B. MCINTOSH, HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS, Respectfully forwarded, from which it will be seen that our front now well out. J. H. WILSON, IN CAMP NEAR CHARLES CITY COURT-HOUSE, VA., Maj. Gen. B. F. BUTLER, Commanding Department of Virginia and North Carolina: The cavalry commander, General Wilson, reports that Ewell's an Hill's corps have taken up the line from Malvern Hill to White Oa Swamp. I inclose you the evidence he has of this, in addition to ou cavalry having encountered infantry on this line.* This looks favorabl for the success of your attack on Petersburg to-night. General Han cock's corps, numbering about 28,000 men, will be all over to the sout side of James River at Wind-Mill Point before daylight, and will march in the morning direct for Petersburg, with directions, however, to hal at the point on that road nearest City Point, unless he receives furthe orders. If the force going into Petersburg find re-enforcements neces sary, by sending back to General Hancock he will push forward The rations of the Second Corps (Hancock's) will be sent to-morrow morning. It will be impossible to supply him from here earlier tha that. To have this corps ready for service you will please direct your commissary to send down by boat to Wind-Mill Point to-nigh 60,000 rations to issue to them. Without this precaution the serv ices of this corps cannot be had for an emergency to-morrow. Please direct one of the army gun-boats to move down to Fort Powhatan at once, to remain there until the crossing of the army is completed. I you can communicate with Admiral Lee I would be pleased if you would request him to send a gun-boat to remain in this same way. U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General. *See Wilson to Humphreys, 11.50 a, m., p, 34, Colonel SHAFFER, Chief of Staff: BERMUDA, June 14, 1864. The gun-boat Eutaw is shelling rebel cavalry, about a company of them, just above Haxall's, at Turkey Bend. Colonel SHAFFER: C. E. FULLER. BERMUDA, June 14, 1864. The Tenth New Hampshire and One hundred and eighteenth New York have arrived in the John Tucker. What shall I do with the steamer after she is unloaded? General Burnham is in command. No other troops in sight, although he says that General Smith left White House before him. He left there at 12 m. yesterday. C. E. FULLER, Lieutenant-Colonel and Quartermaster. BERMUDA, June 14, 1864. Colonel SHAFFER: The steamers Webster, Albany, Nellie Pentz, and Claymont have arrived with troops. They draw too much water to go up the Appomattox. The troops are disembarking here and marching to the front. The General Hooker has arrived and has been ordered up the Appomattox. Will hurry up matters all I can. C. E. FULLER, Lieutenant-Colonel, &c. HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, Captain NORTON, Chief Signal Officer: You will signal General Graham the first thing in the morning to order his gun-boats to open on Fort Clifton whenever Fort Clifton opens on any one or anything, and not until then. Ask General Graham to ask the navy boats to do the same. Also signal the commanding officer at Spring Hill to do the same thing at the same time, and not until then. BENJ. F. BUTLER, Major-General, Commanding. HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, Maj. R. S. DAVIS, June 14, 1864. MAJOR: I have the honor to state that the signal officer at the riverbank station (Spring Hill) reports that Three empty trains passed toward Petersburg yesterday afternoon and one loaded freight train toward Richmond. To-day two empty trains passed toward Richmond. No troops were observed on any. Respectfully, your obedient servant, L. B. NORTON, Captain and Chief Signal Officer. HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, Col. J. W. SHAFFER, Chief of Staff: COLONEL: The following message has just been received and is respectfully forwarded: Captain NORTON: A train partly loaded with troops has just passed toward Richmond. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, GARRETT, Sergeant, Signal Corps. L. B. NORTON, Captain and Chief Signal Officer. HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, Col. J. W. SHAFFER, Chief of Staff: June 14, 1864. COLONEL: The signal officer on the tower reports that he Observed just before dark a column of dust about half a mile long on the turnpike north of the railroad junction one mile, and another to the west of the junction one mile. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, L. B. NORTON, Captain and Chief Signal Officer. WALKER'S POINT SIGNAL STATION, June 14, 1864. Lieutenant STRYKER: Three Nine steamers have passed up the river laden with troops. vessels have passed down, one the S. R. Spaulding. The others a steamer and steam tug. THOS. H. FEAREY, Second Lieutenant, Signal Corps, U. S. Army. GILLMORE'S HEADQUARTERS, Colonel SHAFFER, Chief of Staff: The detail of 600 men has been ordered again. No movements indicating an increase of the enemy's forces in my front have been observed. Everything has been quiet. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Q. A. GILLMORE, Major-General. |