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

Hearing nothing from General Smith, early in the afternoon I despatched Lieutenant Davenport of my staff to General Smith to ascertain and report to me why he had not attacked the works in front of Petersburg, and with directions to give to General Smith in person my order for an immediate attack.

Davenport reported to me about 7 P. M. that he had found General Smith on his picket line and had delivered to him in person my orders for an immediate attack, and that General Smith had replied that he had been employed in reconnoitring the enemy's position and had just satisfied himself in that regard and would at once make the attack as ordered. Davenport also reported that in the neighborhood of half past 5, he had passed a division of Hancock's corps (Birney's) some four miles from Smith and on the march.

About 8.30 P. M., General Smith's aid reported to me that at 7.25 P. M. General Smith had carried the line of defences near Jordan's and was pushing forward toward the river.

Shortly after General Smith's aid had gone I became anxious lest Smith should cease his movement, and therefore, about 9 P. M. I sent Lieutenant Davenport back to see General Smith and to say to that officer that I desired there should be no question as to his continuing his movement upon the enemy and his attack upon his works.

Lieutenant Davenport reported to me between eleven and twelve that night that he found nothing being done; that General Hancock was up with two of his divisions; that he found General Smith at General Hancock's headquarters; that he delivered to General Smith my orders and received from him the reply that he had determined to make no further attack that night; that General Smith, while not saying that General Hancock,--who was his senior in rank but my junior, and who had been ordered by me, by General Grant's directions, to support General Smith,--claimed to be the ranking officer, did say to him (Davenport) for the evident purpose of creating the impression that such claim was made by Hancock, that Hancock's arrival had left him (Smith) the junior officer; that he had, however, before leaving to return to me, ascertained the fact that Hancock had made no claim to command the movement by reason of his greater rank, but on the contrary had waived his rank and was relieving Smith's troops in the line with his own men.