under General Wright, have gone to help Butler in front of Bermuda Hundred, where he holds the position abandoned by the enemy yesterday. He reports three miles of the Richmoud railroad torn up. C. A. DANA. Hon. E. M. STANTON. FORT MONROE, VA., June 17, 1864. Add the following to Dana's report of 9 a. m. 17th to the Secretary of War: CIPHER CLERK. General Grant is now there to see if anything can be done toward taking in the rear the rebel force at Petersburg. It does not appear that that force includes any considerable part of Lee's army. Prisoners say that Hoke's command, Bushrod Johnson's division, and Wise's Legion are there, some say also a part of Longstreet's corps. Admiral Lee reports having seen yesterday afternoon a column of troops, 40,000 to 50,000 in number, from Malvern Hill across Deep Bottom in the direction of Richmond, whether to go to the city or to cross the James River at a pontoon bridge they have near Drewry's Bluff it was impossible to judge. This is the only light we have upon the mystery of Lee's whereabouts. The crossing of our trains and troops at Fort Powhatan has gone on prosperously. Wilson's cavalry got over last night, and the last of the wagons, with Wright's remaining division and Ferrero's colored division, will be on this side by noon. The bridge is to be brought up to Bermuda Hundred, and thrown across the James River near Dove's [Jones'] Neck. The heat is very intense. C. A. DANA. CITY POINT, June 17, 1864-5.30 p.m. (Received 8.50 a. m. 18th.) On the 14th instant General Butler relieved General Gillmore from command of the Tenth Army Corps and ordered him to Fort Monroe to await a court of inquiry concerning his disgraceful failure to capture Petersburg after he had volunteered for the duty. On hearing Gillmore's explanation, Grant has modified the order so that Gillmore is relieved at his own request and ordered to Washington to report to the Adjutant-General for orders. Hon. E. M. STANTON. C. A. DANA. FORT MONROE, VA., June 18, 1864-12.30 a. m. Add to Dana's report of the 17th, 5.30 p. m., to the Secretary of War the following: CIPHER CLERK. General Butler reports at 5.17 p. m. that the enemy have formed in line of battle, driven in his pickets, and occupies the powerful lines in front of Bermuda Hundred which they abandoned to him yesterday; all this notwithstanding he had with him two divisions of the Sixth Corps, in addition to his own force. I was misinformed respecting Wilson's cavalry. It has not yet crossed the bridge at Fort Powhatan. It remains north of the river to guard the great herd of cattle, which is not yet up, but will be there before dark. The cattle will be swum over and then the remaining troops will cross. I got my information, erroneous information, from General Grant, who had received it from some officer of General Meade's. No news from Petersburg since morning. General Grant is now there. CITY POINT, VA., June 18, 1864-8-a. m. General Burnside attacked at 3 p. m. yesterday with Willcox's division and gained ground. He attacked again at 8 p. m. with Ledlie's (late Crittenden's) division, carrying what prisoners and deserters reported to be the enemy's last and main line on that part of the defenses of Petersburg. Ledlie suffered severely, but no figures are yet reported, either of loss or captures. In the night Ledlie was driven back, but at 2 a. m. the rebels evacuated the line. Deserters report that they have taken up a shorter one, enveloping the railroad bridge. General Meade reported at 5.30 this morning that he was moving forward to find and feel them, but that his men were so worn out with marching, fighting, and digging that they must have rest, unless some great opportunity should present itself. No report from General Butler since my last dispatch. He was ordered to retake the position which the enemy had reoccupied, after leaving it open to him for thirty hours, but no sounds of his guns have been heard to indicate an attempt, though the two divisions of the Sixth Corps had been sent him expressly to secure the position. He had not even a line of battle or a cannon placed up the heights. With regard to the two French officers who wish to come here, General Grant now desires me to say that he will be glad to have them, but wishes them to understand that the campaign is carried on under the greatest inconveniences as respect personal comfort. Everything is across the river at Powhatan. The bridge was taken up at 3. a. m. to-day. Hon. E. M. STANTON, C. A. DANA. Secretary of War. · CITY POINT, VA., June 19, 1864-9 a. m. General Meade advanced his forces yesterday morning until he found enemy occupying a new and shorter line of intrenchments, about a mile. in front of Petersburg. Believing from the unanimous statement of prisoners that there was no force in his front except Beauregard's three divisions he determined by a vigorous effort to push them over the Appomattox. A general assault was ordered at noon, and Martindale, having two divisions of the Eighteenth and one of the Sixth Corps, attacked promptly and successfully, occupying enemy's line, and taking some 40 prisoners. Birney attacked at the same time, but made no progress. About 2 p. m., Warren and Burnside having got ready, advanced for considerable distance without reaching enemy's main line. About 4 p. m. Birney again assaulted with nine brigades, but was not able to force the enemy's line. Martindale also again attempted to advance farther, but failed. Both Birney and Martindale report the enemy before them in very strong force, with heavy reserves masked in the rear, from which General Meade infers that main body of Lee's army has re-enforced Beauregard. General Meade says that these assaults were well made, and that all men could do under the circumstances was done. At 7 p. m. Willcox, of the Ninth Corps, and Warren again assaulted, but in vain, and with that the day's operations closed. Our advance lines are held and intrenched. The result of the three days' operations since Meade took command there is the driving the enemy from two lines of intrenchments, the capture of 4 guns, 4 colors, and about 500 prisoners. I have not been able to witness the fighting of the last two days, having been kept in camp by sickness, but Comstock, of General Grant's staff, tells me that it has not been equal to our previous fighting, owing to our heavy loss in superior officers. The men fight as well, but are not directed with the same skill and enthusiasm. General Meade gives no statement of casualties, but says they are no heavier than was to be expected from the numbers engaged. General Grant has directed that no more assaults shall be made. He will now maneuver. I presume that Sheridan's report, telegraphed here last night from West Point, was at the same time telegraphed to you. His success in the great purpose of destroying the railroad seems to have been incomplete. Butler, with Grant's assent, has assigned Brooks to command the Tenth Army Corps. Prisoners report that Ewell's corps has gone to Lynchburg. Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War. C. A. DANA. CITY POINT, VA., June 19, 1864-11 p. m. Richmond Examiner of yesterday says General Hunter, Thursday last, was at Forest Depot, on Virginia and Tennessee Railroad, destroying that road. Forest Depot supposed to be where the railroad crosses Forest Creek, some eight or ten miles southwest from Lynchburg, and appears to be on a road from Lexington. General Meade reports his casualties of Thursday, Friday, and Saturday to be about 7,000. Attacks of Thursday were made by General Grant's orders, those of Friday and Saturday were made by General Meade himself. C. A. DANA. Hon. E. M. STANTON. CITY POINT, VA., June 20, 1864-5 p. m. Meade is ordered to devote himself to swinging his army around upon the south and southwest of Petersburg. He reports that his cavalry is already upon the Jerusalem road, and thinks that by fortifying as he extends to his left he can soon and safely reach the Appomattox on that side. This will give him possession of the railroad from Petersburg to Weldon and that to Lynchburg. He will be supported in this movement by a similar extension to the left on the part of the troops of General Butler. Position of Meade's forces are now as follows: On right, Sixth Corps holds works captured Wednesday by the Eighteenth Corps, which last corps has returned within General Butler's lines. Next to Sixth is the Ninth, forming Meade's present center, and next the Fifth, forming his left. The Second Corps is in reserve in the rear. The movement begins by putting Second Corps upon left of the Fifth, and drawing back Sixth as a reserve, its place in the lines being taken by Eighteenth. These operations, I suppose, will be performed to-night. Next the Ninth Corps will be similarly withdrawn, and its place in the lines taken by all of the Tenth Corps which can be spared from Bermuda Hundred, where the works are so strong as to be safe with a small garrison, say of 5,000 men. As the object is to get possession of the railroad and inclose the enemy fighting will not be sought for, though, of course, it will not be avoided. Once extended to the Appomattox, the railroad will be thoroughly destroyed as far south as may be practicable, then if necessary Army of the Potomac may take ten days' rations and move upon the Danville road, leaving its base of supplies here to be guarded by its fortifications and the forces of General Butler. A bridge is to be thrown across the James River to-night, and a bridge-head on the north shore fortified on Jones' Neck. General Weitzel has charge of the operation. The bridge-head will require a garrison of 200 men. It will allow us to send cavalry over into Charles City County, where the teeming crops already need our attention, and it will also menace Richmond with attack on that side. Sheridan is ordered to come here, crossing the Chickahominy at Long Bridge or Jones' Bridge, and striking the James River either at Wilcox's and be ferried, or at the new bridge above spoken of. Wilson moves on a raid to-morrow night with his division, and half of Kautz's. He has general instructions to do all the harm he can, especially to the railroad. Richmond Examiner of Sunday mentions safe arrival of a train by that road, as if it were something to be thankful for. General Meade notified Warren this morning that he must either ask to be relieved, or else he (Meade) would prefer charges against him. For past three days Hancock has been so far disabled by his old wound that Birney has commanded the Second Corps. General Grant has just sent Hancock ten days' leave unasked. C. A. DANA. Hon. E. M. STANTON. CITY POINT, VA., June 21, 1864-9 a. m. All quiet at Petersburg during night. The pontoon bridge at Jones' Neck was successfully thrown last night. One of Butler's brigades under Foster passed over, and has constructed a bridge-head at Deep Bottom. Meade did not move the Second Corps last night, it being impracticable to get the Sixth and Eighteenth Corps ready to move simultaneously. It will be done to-night. Richmond papers publish Forrest's official report of his fight with Sturgis. Forrest claims that he killed, wounded, and captured more men than he had in his own command. C. A. DANA. CITY POINT, VA., June 21, 1864-10 a. m. General Meade reports that his former report of casualties on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday last was erroneous. Instead of 7,000 it should have been 9,500. Hon. EDWIN M. STANTON, C. A. DANA. Secretary of War. sance. HEADQUARTERS U. S. ARMIES, June 21, 1864. (Received 11 a. m. 22d.) The Petersburg Express of this morning contains a report that General Hunter attacked Lynchburg on Saturday last and was repulsed. He approached the town by the Salem road. The report gives no account of casualties on either side or other circumstances, and I judge from its statement that the attack was nothing more than a reconnaisThe Express says that a great battle was expected at Lynchburg on Sunday. All has been quiet at Petersburg during the day, except that the enemy threw a good many shells at the right of our lines this morning, doing no damage. The President arrived here about noon and has just returned from visiting the lines before Petersburg. As he came back, he passed through the division of colored troops commanded by General Hinks, which so greatly distinguished itself on Wednesday last. They were drawn up in double lines on each side of the road and welcomed him with hearty shouts. It was a memorable thing to behold the President, whose fortune it is to represent the principle of emancipation, passing bareheaded through the enthusiastic ranks of those negroes armed to defend the integrity of the American nation. 7 Hon. E. M. STANTON, C. A. DANA. Secretary of War. FORT MONROE, VA., June 22, 1864-11.30 a. m. Insert in Dana's of 21st, sent this morning, between "doing no damage" and "the President arrived," the following: CIPHER CLERK. I was at Petersburg at 6 p. m. One division (Barlow's) of the Second Corps had already taken up its position on the left of the Fifth, and the other two divisions were moving in the same direction. The Sixth Corps was all ready to withdraw from the lines on our right, and move to the left of the Second, or in case the Second should be attacked in the morning to support it. The Eighteenth Corps was in the rear, waiting to occupy the lines in place of the Sixth. General Foster reports from Deep Bottom that his cavalry scouts had fallen in with a considerable infantry force of the enemy. A woman in the neighborhood had also informed him that a whole division under a General Lee was about to attack him, but as he received this information this morning, and no sound of battle has yet been heard from that direction, it is probable that his anxiety was groundless." C. A. DANA. |