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

[1064] Lee is dangerously wounded; Pickett also; Jones and Jenkins killed. We have no news from General Grant. If he has been in any degree successful there, can we not have here ten thousand of the reserves? They can be here in three days after the lieutenant-general gives the order. Transportation is at Annapolis for them. If the Army of the Potomac is unsuccessful, then we want them here for the safety of the country. Please send them forward. Beauregard is in command in person. In three days our line will be perfect. We have to strongly garrison the point on the river to save our transportation, which weakens us a good deal for a movable column. All is submitted to your judgment.

[Cipher.]

Your despatch of the 7th has just reached me. We have, as yet, no official reports from Grant. Nothing is known of his condition except from newspaper reports, which represent two days hard fighting on Thursday and Friday; from six to eight thousand wounded are sent back, and Ingalls telegraphs yesterday at noon to General Meigs that “It is said the enemy are retiring.” In respect to the reserves mentioned in your telegram, there are none now at the disposal of the department. General Grant has with him all the troops, and you will have to depend only upon such as may have been provided in your programme with him. Your despatch will be forwarded to him, to apprise him of your condition and for his instructions. Your success thus far is extremely gratifying to the President and this department, and we hope your skill and good luck may accomplish all your wishes.

[no. 33. Seepage 644.]
[Confidential.]

My Dear Sir:--I must take the responsibility of asking you to bring before the Senate at once the name of General Gillmore, and have his name rejected by your body. General Gillmore may be a very good engineer officer, but he is wholly useless in the movement of troops. He has been behind in every movement. He has lost twenty-four hours here in putting his line in a state of defence; but, above all, he has refused to move when ordered. I directed him to co-operate with General Smith when he went to make demonstrations on the Petersburg Railroad, and he failed to do so, and then sent me word that he did not obey the order for reasons that seemed good to himself, and has not deigned to give me the reasons, although he has sent me a report of his operations, or rather want of operations. I have known General Gillmore only since he came here, but I find many of his troops are desirous of getting away from him. I have a good corps commander here in his place. I write only for the good of the service. We have made demonstrations