Field telegrams from Headquarters A. N. V.
[continued from our June no.]
Clay's House, 3:30 P. M., 17th June, 1864.
Major-General W. H. F. Lee, Malvern Hill via Meadow Station:
Push after the enemy and endeavor to ascertain what has become of Grant's army.
Inform General Hill.
Major-General W. H. F. Lee, Malvern Hill via Meadow Station:
Riddel's Shop via Meadow Station, Y. R. R. R'd:
As soon as you can ascertain that Grant has crossed James river move up to Chaffin's Bluff, and be prepared to cross.
R. E. Lee. Official: W. H. Taylor, A. A. G.
Have no information of Grant's crossing James river, but upon your report have ordered troops up to Chaffin's Bluff.
R. E. Lee, General. Official: W. H. Taylor, A. A. G.
Clay's House, 4:30 P. M., 17th June, 1864.
Lieutenant-General A. P. Hill, Riddel's Shop via Meadow Station:
General Beauregard reports large number of Grant's troops crossed James river above Fort Powhatan yesterday.
If you have nothing contradictory of this, move to Chaffin's Bluff.
Lieutenant-General A. P. Hill, Riddel's Shop via Meadow Station:
R. E. Lee, General. Official: W. H. Taylor, A. A. G.
At 4 P. M. assaulted that portion of our front line held by enemy and drove him from it. We again have the entire line from Howlett's to Dunn's Mill.
R. E. Lee, General. Official: W. H. Taylor, A. A. G.
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At 4 P. M. was compelled to assault center of our former line held by enemy.
We now hold entire line from Howlett's to Dunn's Mill.
All prisoners from Tenth corps.
R. E. Lee, General. Official: W. H. Taylor, A. A. G.
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.
Please notify me when railroad is again in running order.
R. E. Lee, General.
Headquarters Drewry's Bluff, 10 P. M., 17th June, 1864.
Lieutenant-General Hill, Riddle's Shop via Meadow Station, Y. R. R. R'd:
Move your command promptly at 3 A. M. to-morrow for Chffin's Bluff.
Cross the river and move to the Petersburg turnpike.
There await further orders.
Send to examine about bridges.
Lieutenant-General Hill, Riddle's Shop via Meadow Station, Y. R. R. R'd:
R. E. Lee, General. Official: W. H. Taylor, A. A. G.
Headquarters Army N. Va., June 18th, 1864.
General Wade Hampton, Vernon Church via Hanover Junction:
If Sheridan escapes you and gets to his transports at the White House you must lose no time in moving your command to our right near Petersburg.
Keep yourself thoroughly advised of his movements and intentions as far as practicable.
General Wade Hampton, Vernon Church via Hanover Junction:
R. E. Lee, General.
[191]
Drewry's Bluff, 3:30 A. M., 18th June, 1864.
Superintendent Richmond and Petersburg R. Rd., Richmond:
Can trains run through to Petersburg?
If so, send all cars available to Rice's Turnout.
If they cannot run through, can any be sent from Petersburg to the point where the road is broken?
It is important to get troops to Petersburg without delay.
Superintendent Richmond and Petersburg R. Rd., Richmond:
R. E. Lee, General. Official: W. H. Taylor, A. A. G.
Grant is in front of Petersburg.
Will be opposed there.
Strike as quick as you can, and, if circumstances authorize, carry out the original plan, or move upon Petersburg without delay.
10:34 A. M.-What is supposed strength of enemy's force reported on Kingsland road, and of what composed?
Cooke's brigade is at Clay's House available, to be sent if you need assistance, and directed to be prepared to move, if ordered, either by rail or march by land.
In absence of General Lee,
W. H. Taylor, A. A. G.
Inform me of the state of affairs in your front, and whether Cook's and Davis' brigades are needed on that side of the river.
R. E. Lee, General.
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