Field telegrams.
[A deeply interesting volume might be made by collecting together the field telegrams and letters sent by our leading Generals on the eve of or during important battles. Unfortunately the full material for such a volume has been destroyed, or is scattered so widely that it would be almost impossible to collect it. We have in our archives, however, a large amount of such material, and propose, from time to time, to give some specimens of it. We have recently received from Mr. R. M. J. Paynter, of this city, the loan of files of telegrams sent principally from army headquarters on the south side of the James during the summer of 1864. The telegrams themselves (written generally on scraps of Confederate paper, and frequently in the autograph of the officer sending them), possess a curious interest. They are valuable as giving the information received of the movements and intentions of the enemy, and the consequent orders in reference to the movements of our troops. We give the following selections from these telegrams.]headquarters Drewry's Bluff, May 10--1 P. M.
His Excellency Jefferson Davis, President C. S. A., Richmond:
I have just received the following dispatch from General Ransom: “Thus far we are doing well; the fight is progressing.”
This is about all the information I can give you.
Very respectfully, His Excellency Jefferson Davis, President C. S. A., Richmond:
It would be disadvantageous to abandon line between Richmond and Petersburg; but as two-thirds of Butler's force has joined Grant, can you not leave sufficient guard to move with balance of your command to north side of James river and take command of right wing of army?
I have ordered a forced reconnoisance to ascertain more of enemy's position and condition.
Have ordered Ransom's brigade to Bottom's bridge, as requested by General Bragg.
I am willing
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to do anything for our succor, but cannot leave my department without orders of War Department.
General Grant appears to be gradually approaching the York River railroad, whether with the view of touching James river or not, I cannot ascertain.
I am ignorant of the movements of the enemy in your front, or whether it would be in your power to take position north of James river.
R. E. Lee, General.
Just arrived at this point with Pickett's division; have informed General Beauregard.
Direct to me here.
Send a brigade to vicinity of New Market station, intersection of Kingsland and New Market roads.
Please inform me of condition of affairs.
Pickett's division is in vicinity of your lines and front of Bermuda.
Your dispatch of 9.45 receive; it is the first that has come to hand.
I do not know the position of Grant's army; cannot strip north bank of James river; have you not force sufficient?
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Drewry's Bluff, 3 P. M., 16th June.
General-Dispatches 12.45 received.
Pickett had passed this place at date of my first dispatch.
I did not receive your notice of intended evacuation till 2 A. M; troops were then at Malvern Hills, four miles from me. Am glad to hear you can hold Petersburg.
Hope you will drive the enemy.
Have not heard of Grant's crossing James river.
The transports you mentioned have probably returned Butler's troops.
Has Grant been seen crossing James river?
headquarters Drewry's Bluff, 5.30 P. M., 16th June, 1864.
Mr. D. H. Wood, Transportation Office, Richmond, Virginia:
Trains are not wanted at Rice's turnout, about which inquiry was made this morning; do not send them. Mr. D. H. Wood, Transportation Office, Richmond, Virginia:
Dispatches of to-day received.
Our cavalry north and south of Chickahominy have been advised of movements of bearer of dispatches; also to endeavor to ascertain movements of Sheridan, and to unite with you when practicable to crush him. Keep them advised of his movements.
Drewry's Bluff, Midnight, 16th June, 1864.
President or Superintendent Richmond and Petersburg Railroad, Richmond, Virginia:
The line of breastworks across Bermuda Neck is being reoccupied by our troops.
General Anderson reports that the enemy tore up and burned about half a mile of the railroad below Walthall
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junction.
Preparations should be made to repair this portion of the track as soon as it is practicable. President or Superintendent Richmond and Petersburg Railroad, Richmond, Virginia:
Drewry's Bluff, June 17th, 1864, 6 A. M.
E. H. Gill, Superintendent Richmond and Petersburg Railroad, Richmond, Virginia:
About half a mile of railroad at Port Walthall junction was torn up yesterday by enemy during their temporary possession.
Please replace the rails and open the road at once. E. H. Gill, Superintendent Richmond and Petersburg Railroad, Richmond, Virginia:
I am delighted at your repulse of the enemy.
Endeavor to recover your lines.
Can you ascertain any thing of Grant's movements?
I am cut off now from all information.
At 11 P. M. last night we took the original line of breastworks at Howlett's house, and the rest of the fine is being recovered.
I have directed that the battery of heavy artillery be re-established, and the rails at Walthall junction be replaced and the road reopened.
headquarters Clay's House, 10.30 A. M., 17th June, 1864.
His Excellency Jefferson Davis, Richmond, Virginia:
At 11 o'clock last night took breastworks at Howlett's house; other portions of same line were retaken.
Pickett's division now occupies trenches from Howlett's to front of Clay's; Field's division is on the right, but I believe whole of front line not occupied.
Battery at Howlett's is being re-established.
Saw five vessels sunk by enemy in French's reach.
Behind lie the monitors; counted ten (10) steamers within the reach.
Enemy made two attacks last night on Beauregard, but were repulsed with loss; 400 prisoners, including 11 commissioned officers captured.
He has not entirely recovered his original position.
Some fighting has occurred there this morning without result.
Have ordered
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railroad at Port Walthall destroyed by enemy yesterday to be repaired and reopened. His Excellency Jefferson Davis, Richmond, Virginia:
Battery at Howlett's is being re-established; hope your new line will protect the city.
I would recommend it being established sufficiently in advance.
Your line from Howlett's to Clay's is re-occupied.
Enemy still hold some portion on right of Clay's.
Telegrams of 9 A. M. received.
Until I can get more definite information of Grant's movements, I do not think it prudent to draw more troops to this side of the river.
headquarters army of Northern Virginia, June 17th, 1864.
General Wade Hampton, Vernon Church, via Hanover Junction:
Grant's army is chiefly on south side of James river.
Chambliss has been ordered to co-operate with you. Communicate with him. General Wade Hampton, Vernon Church, via Hanover Junction:
Fifth corps (Warren's) crossed Chickahominy at Long bridge on 13th; was driven from Riddel's shop by General Hill, leaving many dead and prisoners on our hands.
That night it marched to Westover.
Some prisoners were taken from it on the 14th; have not heard of it since.
All prisoners taken here are from Tenth corps.
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Clay's House, 3.30 P. M., 17th June, 1864.
Major-General W. H. F. Lee, Malvern Hill, via Meadow Station:
Push after 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:
As soon as you can ascertain that Grant has crossed James river, move up to Chaffin's Bluff, and be prepared to cross.
Have no information of Grant's crossing James river, but upon your report have ordered troops up to Chaffin's Bluff.
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:
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.
