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[291]

Correspondence concerning the campaign of 1864.

So many of the official reports, letters, telegrams, &c., concerning Lee's masterly campaign of 1864 were destroyed, that the records of that year are very imperfect, and even fragments are of great value. We shall, therefore, continue from time to time to give such letters, reports, telegrams, &c., as we have or may be able to procure. The following have never been published, and are worthy of going into the record:


Letter from General Wade Hampton.

Seth Campbell's, May 21st, 1864-9.30 P. M.
To Major-General Breckinridge:
General — I met the enemy near Wright's tavern, two and one half miles from Milford, where they showed themselves in some force. I think about five regiments were seen. At the Poorhouse I drove them back, but they are still on this side of the river. I shall occupy the road from Milford to the Junction tonight, and will advise you of any movement. General------is near Panola, his left resting on this road. Scouts just in say that only six of Sheridan's men crossed the Pamunkey, and that they went to Fredericksburg. The raiding party who burned Hanover Courthouse went down towards Charles City. This party between here and Milford could be cut off, unless they are much larger than I suppose. I am sure that I could burn the bridge behind them, and an attack in front would destroy them. Could you send any more troops up to effect this? I know this county thoroughly, and I think that a good blow might be struck. I shall be here to-night. If any of the cavalry come to the Junction, let them know that I am here.

Yours, very respectfully,

Wade Hampton, Major-General.

headquarters Longstreet's corps, 8 P. M.--May 30, 1864.
Major-General J. A. Early, Commanding Second Corps:
General--General Field reports having come upon an entrenched line of the enemy, and owing to that circumstance, and the approach of darkness, I have suspended his movement and have drawn my whole line back to the left again, so as to connect with General Breckinridge, between whom and the left of my line a very wide gap had been made.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. H. Anderson, Major-General.


[292]

Letter from General R. E. Lee.

headquarters army of Northern Virginia, 2d June, 1864--8 P. M.
Honorable Secretary of war, Richmond, Va.:
Sir — Yesterday afternoon the enemy's cavalry were reported to be advancing by the left of our line toward Hanover Courthouse and Ashland. General Hampton, with Rosser's brigade, proceeded to meet them. Rosser fell upon their rear, charged down the road towards Ashland, bearing every thing before him. His progress was arrested at Ashland by the entrenchments of the enemy, when he changed his direction, and advanced up the Fredericksburg railroad.

General W. H. F. Lee came up at this time with a part of his division, and a joint attack was made. The enemy was quickly driven from the place and pursued toward Hanover Courthouse till dark.

During the afternoon, General Fitz. Lee was forced to retire from Old Cold Harbor, on our extreme right, and as it was evident that the enemy was moving in that direction, our own line was extended accordingly--General Hoke occupying the extreme right.

The enemy attacked in heavy force and succeeded in penetrating between Hoke and Anderson, where there was an interval in our line, causing the right of Anderson and the left of Hoke to fall back a short distance. General Hoke subsequently recovered his position, and General Anderson's right assumed one a short distance in rear of that it first occupied.

This morning the enemy's movement to our right continuing, corresponding changes were made in our line, Breckinridge's command and two divisions of General Hill being placed on the right. General Early, with Ewell's corps and Heth's division, occupied our left, and was directed to endeavor to get upon the enemy's right flank and drive down in front of our line. General Early made the movement in the afternoon, and drove the enemy from his entrenchments, following him until dark. While this attack was progressing, General Hill reinforced Breckinridge with two brigades of Wilcox's division, and dislodged the enemy from Turkey Hill, in front of our extreme right.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. E. Lee, General. Official: C. Marshall, Lieutenant-Colonel and Aid-de-Camp.

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