General,—The following instructions for battle to-morrow are communicated for your information and action.
The purpose of the movement is to cut off the enemy from his base of operations at Bermuda Hundreds, and capture or destroy him in his present position.
To this end we shall attack and turn, by the river road, his right flank, now resting on
James River, while his centre and left flank are kept engaged, to prevent him from reinforcing his right flank.
Major-General Ransom's division will, to-night, take position the most favorable for attack on the enemy's right flank, to be made by him at daybreak to-morrow morning.
His skirmishers will drive back vigorously those of the enemy in his front, and will be followed closely by his line of battle, which will, at the proper time, pivot on its right flank, so as to take the enemy in flank and rear.
He will form in two lines of battle, and will use his battalion of artillery to the best advantage.
Colonel Dunnovant's regiment of cavalry will move with this division, under the direction of
General Ransom.
Major-General Hoke's division, now in the trenches, on the right of the position herein assigned to
General Ransom, will, at daylight, engage the enemy with a heavy line of skirmishers, and will hold the rest of his forces in hand, ready to attack with vigor the enemy's line in his front as soon as he shall find it wavering before his skirmishers, or so soon as
Ransom's line of battle shall have become fairly engaged with the enemy.
General Hoke will form in two lines of battle, four hundred yards apart, in front of his trenches, at the proper time, and in such manner as not to delay his forward movement.
He will use his battalion of artillery to the best advantage.
Colonel Boyken's regiment of cavalry will move in conjunction with
Hoke's division, so as to protect his left flank.
He will receive more definite instructions from
Major-General Hoke.
Colonel Shingler's regiment of cavalry will move with the reserve division.
The division commanded by
Brigadier-General Colquitt will constitute the reserve, and will to-night form in column, by brigades, in rear of
Hoke's
