[Major-General MEADE:] JUNE 13, 1864-10.30 a. m. I have been here for some time. Have seen no pontoon train at Jones' Bridge; no troops. Captain Mendell is here with his battalion. There are a few cavalry pickets here. F. M. BACHE, Captain and Aide-de-Camp. NEAR JONES' BRIDGE, June 13, 1864-2.30 p. m. [Major-General MEADE:] The head of General Wright's column is within a couple of miles of Jones' Bridge. General W. says he has come along without any obstruction and saw nothing of General Burnside's column near the church (Emmaus). The pontoons are by this time being laid. F. M. BACHE, Captain and Aide-de-Camp. WESTOVER CHURCH, June 13, 1864-6.45 p. m. General WILLIAMS, SIR: I have the honor to report that I have made a reconnaissance to this place without meeting any of the enemy. I have sent forward two picketing parties-one in the direction of Malvern Hill, the other toward Saint Mary's Church-with directions to send a scouting party as far as practicable before dark. Captain Adams, First Massachusetts, thought he could reach Malvern Hill before dark. The works of General Franklin's corps I find in good condition and quite extensive. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, EWD. S. JONES, Lieutenant-Colonel Third Pennsylvania Cavalry. P. S.-A man by the name of Folkes, living in this neighborhood, tells me that yesterday there was an encampment of South Carolina cavalry on Crew's plantation at Malvern Hill. They picketed at Salem Church, but their pickets were withdrawn last evening. E. S. J. CHARLES CITY COURT-HOUSE, June 13, 1864-9 p. m. Brigadier-General BENHAM: The major-general commanding directs that all pontoons and other bridge material in your possession be brought immediately to Fort Powhatan. HEADQUARTERS ENGINEER BRIGADE, Maj. Gen. B. F. BUTLER, Bermuda Hundred: In consequence of the orders of General Grant, received through Lieutenant-Colonel Biggs, chief quartermaster here, I this day send back to Fort Powhatan the bridging material brought down yesterday from Bermuda Hundred. The commanding officer of the trains, Captain Lubey, is directed to report to you by letter for orders on his arrival at Fort Powhatan. H. W. BENHAM, Brigadier-General. GENERAL BUTLER'S HEADQUARTERS, June 13, 1864-3.40 p. m. (Received 10.10 a. m. 14th.) General BENHAM, Of Engineers: Send all your pontoons and bridge material to Fort Powhatan in the quickest possible form and time, and come to that point yourself. B. F. BUTLER, Major-General, Commanding. General S. WILLIAMS, HEADQUARTERS ENGINEER BRIGADE, Assistant Adjutant-General, Headquarters Army of the Potomac: In consequence of the directions of General Grant in a letter to Lieutenant-Colonel Biggs, chief quartermaster here, I am now sending up to Fort Powhatan the 155 pontoons and bridge material which reached here yesterday from Bermuda Hundred, and have so advised General Butler. H. W. BENHAM, FLAG-SHIP AGAWAM, Farrar's Island, June 13, 1864-10 p. m. (Via Fortress Monroe.) Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Deserters from rebel iron-clads confirm previous information. Rebel tug from bend above fired a shot or two in this direction this afternoon. S. P. LEE, Actg. Rear-Admiral, Comdg. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. Major-General HANCOCK: HEADQUARTERS SECOND DIVISION, GENERAL: The rear guard has crossed, and they are now taking up the bridge. Respectfully, No appearance of an enemy. JOHN GIBBON, Brigadier-General. J. G. Major-General HUMPHREYS: JUNE 13, 1864-5 a. m. General Wilson got some men across at 10 p. m. last night. The bridge was not so that he could cross in force till 1 a. m. He has been opposed by a little cavalry. I am on the high bluff about one mile and a half from the bridge, where the road from Turner's Ford comes in, and have two divisions up here. The others are following. The cavalry are a little way out and advancing. We hear a little skirmishing, which stops occasionally, and is heard again more distant. I have little news to give you now. Will write again soon. Yours, respectfully, G. K. WARREN, Major-General HUMPHREYS: JUNE 13, 1864-8.30 a. m. This map is from reconnaissance, one inch to a mile, and if laid on the printed one inch map, fitting it on at Moody's house (top of map), will give you our present positions. I have two brigades out where the road comes from White Oak Swamp. The cavalry is in advance of that, and I hear artillery firing a little. I have no information from Wilson. The main portion of my corps is near my headquarters. General Wilson just sends me word he has driven their cavalry over the White Oak Swamp bridge, and that he and the enemy both fire artillery across. G. K. WARREN, HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Major-General WARREN, Commanding Fifth Corps: A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General and Chief of Staff. Colonel LOCKE, Assistant Adjutant-General: HEADQUARTERS, June 13, 1864-8.40 a. m. The troops of the Second Corps are passing ahead of their trains, and two brigades of the First Division have already passed. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. P. WARREN. Lieutenant and Aide-de-Camp. The headquarters Army of the Potomac trains fall in behind the First Division of General Hancock's corps. SPECIAL ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS, } June 13, 1864. The following movements will take place at 8 p. m. to-day: General Ayres, to be followed by General Griffin, will set out for Saint Mary's Church, withdrawing the pickets as the rear of their column leaves the present position. Guide will be furnished over the route, and they will take with them the artillery, ambulances, and other wagons they have with them now. The same will be done by General Crawford, followed by General Wilson's cavalry, over a route that a guide will be furnished for. On arriving at Saint Mary's Church, if the road farther on is found obstructed with troops or trains, the troops will be massed at that point until the road is clear. Divisions will have precedence of road in the following order, after leaving Saint Mary's Church: General Cutler, General Ayres, General Griffin, and General Crawford, and General Wilson. Each division commander will take every precaution to drive up stragglers, and troops must be given to understand that all left behind will undoubtedly fall into the hands of the enemy. Headquarters of the corps will be at Saint Mary's Church until the corps passes that point. Division commanders will report their arrival at the church. By command of Major-General Warren: A. S. MARVIN, JR., Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS, Brigadier-General GRIFFIN, Commanding First Division: GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs me to say that you will probably move about dusk. More definite instructions will be sent you. Have everything hitched up and ready to move. It will be time enough to withdraw the men on picket when the column begins to move. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, FRED. T. LOCKE, Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS, Brigadier-General CUTLER, Commanding Fourth Division: June 13, 1864-1.45 p. m.. GENERAL: Your division, accompanied by four batteries from Colonel Wainwright's brigade, will follow immediately after the wagon trains to protect them. You will take the road from Long Bridge to Saint Mary's (or Salem) Church, Walker's, Taylor's, &c., following after the Second Corps. You will leave one brigade to watch the Chickahominy till the last of the trains is well on the road and out of sight, then follow it. Leave an officer at Salem Church to inform me when I get there when the last of the trains has passed. By command of Major-General Warren: FRED. T. LOCKE, Lieutenant-Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General. The Second Corps have all crossed. |