Benjamnin F. Butler, Butler's Book: Autobiography and Personal Reminiscences of Major-General Benjamin Butler

[no. 45. see page 649.]

I have arrived here with my entire command. Have burned the Stony Creek Bridge, the Nottoway Bridge, and Jarratt's Station. I have about one hundred and thirty prisoners. Loss in my command about thirty killed and wounded. I want rations and forage as soon as I can get them.

[no. 46. see page 651.]

Would it not be possible for you to bring up the gunboats, monitors, opposite Dr. Howlett's, so as to cover our flank on the river, and relieve a considerable body of my troops? Both sides of the river there are low and flat, and it is an excellent point for the gunboats to lie.

I think it would be of great public service if you can put your boats so as to cover my landing for supplies at Howlett's House.

Your despatch answered by signal corps. Enemy vigorously intrenching on the heights at Howlett's, under a destructive fire from gunboats. They will doubtless mount guns to-night to command Trent's Reach. Only a land attack can dislodge them. River falling. Careful soundings to-day show [that we] cannot cross this bar.

P. S. 4 P. M. The rebel artillery has appeared on the heights at Dutch Gap.

[no. 47. see page 651.]

Your despatch of yesterday 3.30 has been forwarded to General Grant. A despatch just received from the battle-field reports a general attack by Grant at 6 A. M., in which great success was achieved. Hancock had