Major-General HUMPHREYS, HEADQUARTERS SECOND CORPS, Chief of Staff: GENERAL: Following my instructions to take the "nearest and most direct route to Petersburg," I have arrived at a point four miles from the Court-House. The point marked Graysville or Gaysville [Garysville] on the map I cannot hear of, except that I am told that Gays or Gray's Tavern, which I find on this road, is meant. Bailey's Creek is much out of place on the map. To get to the position assigned me I turn to the right two miles this side of the Court-House and go by way of Old CourtHouse. My rear division (General Barlow) I have turned to the right beyond Powell's Creek, to take the interior road and meet me at Old Court-House. My trains will also take this road. I have found some guides and have ceased traveling by the map. Firing of two or three hours' duration has been heard since we started. A negro with us thinks it is on the Prince George Court-House road, one mile and a half this side. I hear of no enemy near Prince George Court-House or Old Court-House. Your obedient servant, WINF'D S. HANCOCK, HEADQUARTERS EIGHTEENTH CORPS, June 15, 1864. Major-General HANCOCK or GIBBON: GENERAL: General Grant has authorized me to call on you to hurry forward to Petersburg to aid in its capture. I do not suppose at present there is much infantry over there, but the wide open spaces along my entire front, and the heavy artillery fire, of the enemy, have prevented me from attempting any assault and also preventing me from getting any artillery into position to do any service. If the Second Corps can come up in time to make an assault to-night after dark in vicinity of Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad I think we may be suc cessful. But to-night is the last night, as General Lee is reported crossing at Chaffin's Bluff. Please inform me by bearer when the head of your column may be expected here. My left is on the Jordan's Point road. Respectfully, WM. F. SMITH, Major-General, Commanding HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, Major-General HANCOCK, In the Field, June 15, 1864-7 p. m. Commanding Second Army Corps: General Smith is before Petersburg near the City Point road attacking the enemy's works, of which he has carried one line. I fear reenforcements from Richmond at about this time, as they have had the day in which to do it and are beginning to pass them over, one trail having already gone by. Will you send three divisions of your corps to the aid of General Smith, or as many as you may deem necessary, and hold the balance so as to support him. He is five or six miles in advance of you. BENJ. F. BUTLER, Major-General, Commanding. (By Major Ludlow of my staff. Not delivered. B. F. B.) HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES, Major-General HANCOCK, Commanding Second Army Corps: GENERAL: If requested by General Butler or Smith to move up to where Smith now is do so. The enemy are now seen to be re-enforcing Petersburg by rail and by troops marching. So far, however, but two regiments and eleven car-loads have been reported. Your rations have gone up. Hope they have reached you by this time. General Butler says he understands you have halted at a creek short of the one (Harrison's Creek) to which you were to go. Respectfully, U. S. GRANT, HEADQUARTERS, Near Point of Rocks, June 15, 1864-8.30 p. m. Major-General HANCOCK: General Smith has carried the outer line of works and the only defensive line of Petersburg. They are crowding down troops from Richmond. General Grant supposes that you will move out and aid General Smith. Please move up at once to the aid of Smith and put the Appomattox between you and Lee's army. This is important. I have already forwarded you the same suggestion by Major Ludlow. Provisions are on the way to you. More will be started during the night. I will see you supplied. I can send you if needed a couple of batteries of artillery. BENJ. F. BUTLER, Major-General, Commanding. P. S.-While writing the above have received the following dispatch* from General Grant which is inclosed. General Grant directs me to order you up. Respectfully, BENJ. F. BUTLER, Major-General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS, Maj. Gen. B. F. BUTLER, Commanding, &c.: June 15, 1864. GENERAL: My leading division connected with General Smith about 5 p. m. I now have two divisions in line. They are now formed on his *See Grant to Butler, 8.15 p. m. 15th, p. 75. left. I have another division to place in reserve as soon as it arrives, it having found difficulty in finding its way on account of the darkness. The night is of that nature, and my having arrived at this point after dark; I can determine little about the features of the country, and I cannot tell what the morning will bring forth; but I think we cover all of the commanding points in front of Petersburg. I am now at the Bryant house, but am going to move to the vicinity of General Smith's headquarters in a short time. I will be glad if the provisions arrive early in the morning. I am much obliged for your offer of artillery, and if my reserve artillery does not come up I may apply to you for some; but at present I think I have enough to place in position, as I know the country. I received a communication from General Grant this afternoon, but have not had time to reply to it. You will oblige me by sending a copy of this communication to him. General Smith and myself have examined the country, but cannot determine the exact position of the enemy. Your obedient servant, WINF'D S. HANCOCK, Forwarded to General Grant, by request of General Hancock, by telegraph. BENJ. F. BUTLER, CIRCULAR. HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS, The following movements are ordered for to-day: At 10 a. m., or as soon thereafter as rations have been issued to his command, MajorGeneral Birney will move with his division, accompanied by such of his ammunition wagons, ambulances, &c., as may have been ferried over the river, on the direct road to Petersburg, taking post near where the City Point railroad crosses Harrison's Creek. The Second and First Divisions will follow in the order named, with such part of their transportation as may be across the river, taking position to the right as they come up, extending toward the mouth of Harrison's Creek, where we have a work. Two batteries of those now on the south side will accompany each division. The battalions Fourth New York Heavy Artillery will remain until the transportation of the corps has crossed, and will escort it to the corps to-night. By command of Major-General Hancock: WM. R. DRIVER, Assistant Adjutant-General. WILCOX'S LANDING, June 15, 1864-8.20 a. m. General BARLOW and How are you getting along with issuing rations? HANCOCK, General, General BARLOW: WILCOX'S LANDING, June 15, 1864-9 a. m. How long will it take to have your rations issued? General. (Same to Generals Birney and Gibbon.) JUNE 15, 1864-9.08 a. m. General HANCOCK: No rations have yet arrived. GIBBON, Brigadier-General. WILCOX'S LANDING, June 15, 1864-9.15 a. m. General BIRNEY: Recall your ration details at once if they are out. HANCOCK, General. General BIRNEY: WILCOX'S LANDING, June 15, 1864-9.15 a. m. If it is true that no rations have arrived, put your column in motion at once. HANCOCK, General. JUNE 15, 1864-10 a. m. General HANCOCK: Shall the column take the Graysville [Garysville] or Old Court-House road as shown on Captain Abbot's map of 1862? My ration detail and guard are at the dock. Shall I recall them? How long shall I wait for rations before starting? BIRNEY, General. General BIRNEY: WILCOX'S LANDING, June 15, 1864-10.20 a. m. I sent a signal dispatch at 9.15 a. m. directing the ration details to be recalled. I have sent Colonel Morgan to you concerning the road. General BARLOW HANCOCK, General. WILCOX'S LANDING, June 15, 1864-9.15 a. m. General Birney has been ordered to start. Have your troops ready to follow in order of movement. Ration details will be recalled. (Same to General Gibbon.) HANCOCK, General. Major-General GIBBON: JUNE 15, 1864. (Received 5.25 p. m.) Some of my staff who came up from Fort Powhatan report not having seen the Second Corps marching as they passed. Orders were sent for the corps to march early this morning and General Hancock reported that the orders were sent at 6 a. m. Use all haste in getting up. Smith carried the outer works at Petersburg to-day and may need your assistance. This order is intended for the whole Second Corps and is directed to you, supposing you to have the advance. Communicate it to all the division commanders and to General Hancock, and push forward as rapidly as possible. Commissary stores are now being loaded in wagons here for you and will reach you some time to-night on the road. U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General. General WARREN: HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, June 15, 1864-8.30 p. m. (Sent 8.40 p. m.) Orders will be sent you to move your corps at daylight to-morrow. Two divisions now near Clarke's to be ferried from Wilcox's Wharf; the other two from a ferry near the bridge. Your artillery and trains to be assembled near the bridge, and when all together, to cross the bridge. Please make arrangements accordingly. All information tends to the belief the enemy are crossing by a bridge at Drewry's Bluff to the south side. It is not probable, therefore, our movements here will be disturbed, but should the cavalry report any advance of the enemy you will have to withdraw from Clarke's to where you now are, and, in conjunction with Wright and the cavalry, cover our trains till they are all inside of Wright's line, when you will cross by the bridge and bridge ferry. GEO. G. MEADE, OFFICE CHIEF QUARTERMASTER, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Near Pontoon Bridge, James River, June 15, 1864-10.30 p.m. Major-General WARREN, Commanding Fifth Corps: GENERAL: The Second Corps train is now moving over the road by which you will move two divisions of your troops to the ferry, near the bridge. All the wagons of the corps should be in park near this point, and the road clear by 1 o'clock. If you wish use of the road before that will you have the kindness to send an officer to stop the trains, and direct them to go into park. The Fifth Corps train is parked on the right-hand side of the road, one mile from the bridge. There is a road on the right of the train, to the ferry, by Douthat's house. If your troops move on that road the main road to the bridge can be used by the trains of your corps at the same time. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, L. H. PEIRCE, Assistant Chief Quartermaster, Army of the Potomac. |