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[236] had been forwarded, at that time, from the Army of Northern Virginia is shown by the following despatch:

Drury's Bluff, June 16th, 1864:10.30 A. M.
To General Beauregard:
Your despatch of 9.45 received. It is the first that has come to hand.1 I do not know the position of Grant's army. Cannot strip north bank of James River. Have you not force sufficient?

R. E. Lee, General.

Kershaw's division of Anderson's corps, the first of General Lee's forces that arrived at Petersburg, only reached that place on the morning of the 18th of June, as is established by the following telegrams, to which is also added a letter of General Kershaw himself:

1.

Headquarters, Drury's Bluff, June 17th, 1864:10 P. M.
General G. T. Beauregard, Petersburg, Va.:
General Kershaw's division, which will camp to-night on Redwater Creek, is ordered to continue its march to-morrow to Petersburg.

R. E. Lee, General.
Official. W. H. Taylor, A. A. G.

2.

Occupied last night my new lines without impediment. Kershaw's division arrived about half-past 7, and Field's at about half-past 9 o'clock. They are being placed in position. All comparatively quiet this morning. General Lee has just arrived.


3.

Extract from a letter of General Kershaw to General Beauregard.

Camden, S. C., July 22d, 1876.
My dear General,—* * * I have been induced to think over the matter more carefully, and am now reminded that my position, when first in line of battle at Petersburg, was, as you remember, with my right on or near the Jerusalem plank-road, extending across the open field, and bending back towards the front of the Cemetery. * * * The first of my division that arrived took the cars sent for them, and marched through the city while I was at your quarters. The sun was just up when I arrived there. I was at your headquarters not more than an hour. I think within another hour my troops were in position. * * * I am quite sure that the battle commenced within an hour after my troops were in position. * * *

I am, dear General, sincerely your friend and admirer,


1 General Lee evidently meant the first despatch received that day; otherwise his statement would have been altogether erroneous. See the telegrams already submitted to the reader, and Colonel Sam. Paul's report, to be found in Appendix.

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