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woods south of the Jones house, it will do for us. To-morrow I shall have a large force chopping wood and clearing away for our artillery, and then we can shorten our line if needed. Please relieve so much of General Hancock's picket to-night.

Respectfully,

[Inclosure.]

G. K. WARREN, Major-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS,
July 12, 1864.

Major-General WARREN:

I wish you would relieve my picket-line up to the point where you propose to break to the left to connect with Ferrero. I will keep the remainder of my line on as long as I am here, but it will assist me, in case I am ordered to move suddenly, if you will relieve the right of my line.

WINF'D S. HANCOCK,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS NINTH CORPS,

July 12, 1864–9 a. m.

Major-General HUMPHREYS:

I have the honor to report nothing of special importance occurred on my line during the night. The noise of railroad trains and steamwhistles was quite plain during most of the night.

Major-General BURNSIDE,

[Indorsement.]

A. E. BURNSIDE,

Major-General.

Commanding Ninth Corps:

The commanding general asks if the noise of railroad trains came from the Richmond and Petersburg or Weldon and Petersburg road? A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General and Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,
July 12, 1864. (Received 2.15 p. m.)

Major-General HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff:

A brigade officer of the day of General Willcox's division reports that he thought trains were moving on the Richmond-road, coming and going all night.

A. E. BURNSIDE,
Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,
July 12, 1864. (Received 2.30 p. m.)

Major-General HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff:

As far as ascertained the trains were on the Weldon road, this side the river. Further information will be forwarded when received.

A. E. BURNSIDE,
Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,
July 12, 1864. (Received 3 p. m.)

Major-General HUMPHREYS:

I regret that the last dispatch proved to be incorrect. All the noise of the running of trains I am now informed was heard from roads running to the south of Petersburg. The cars were running from 10 p. m. till daylight.

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General HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff:

It has been pretty quiet on my line to-day. To-night there is some little firing, and probably will be more when my working party building a battery get at work.

A. E. BURNSIDE,
Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, NINTH CORPS,

July 12 1864—8 a. m.

Major-General BURNSIDE, Commanding Corps:

As

GENERAL: Just before midnight several bright lights were shown from different points on the enemy's line, but the night passed with the usual picket-firing. The noise of the railway trains attracted general attention. This morning there was a ringing of bells in the town. the cars pass, for the most part, in the night would it not be well to instruct certain batteries to open. I would also call attention to the necessity of a system of signaling on the lines.

Very respectfully,

O. B. WILLCOX,
Brigadier-General.

[JULY 12, 1864.]

Colonel LORING:

COLONEL: It is difficult to distinguish which road the trains were running on. The train heard by myself was apparently coming up on the Weldon road. The sound passed from south to north. But the Second Brigade officer of the day reported the fact, and before answering your note fully it will be necessary to send down on the lines where he is. As soon as possible I will report again.

Very respectfully,

O. B. WILLCOX.

JULY 12, 1864-12.30 p. m.

Colonel LORING:

COLONEL: Captain Alberger, Twenty-fourth New York Cavalry, brigade officer of the day, who reported the noise of the trains, says he thinks it was on the Petersburg and Richmond road; that trains appeared to be coming and going all night.

Very respectfully,

O. B. WILLCOX.

[General A. E. BURNSIDE:]

HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION,
July 12, 1864—1.50 p. m.

GENERAL: I am provoked to find that Lieutenant Spencer incorrectly reported the statement of Captain Alberger with reference to the cars. Fearing a mistake, I sent for the captain, who says the cars were running below Petersburg-that is, on the south side, and going and coming continually from about 10 o'clock till after daylight.

Very respectfully,

O. B. WILLCOX,
Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
July 12, 1864-7.45 a. m.

Brigadier-General FERRERO, Commanding Division, Ninth Corps:
The major-general commanding directs that you report to Major-
General Warren, commanding Fifth Corps, for instructions in your
present position and be under his orders.

A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General and Chief of Staff.

HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,

July 12, 1864.

General D. McM. GREGG, Comdg. Second Division, Cavalry Corps:

MY DEAR GREGG: I learned last night that the object in calling on one division of cavalry was to make a reconnaissance to ascertain the whereabouts of Hill's corps, and that you would not be out for more than two or three days. I send O'Keeffe out with this; if he joins you write me the news; also, if any water can be obtained on the left of the infantry, except at Lee's Mill.

Yours, truly,

P. H. SHERIDAN,
Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS,
July 12, 1864–7.30 a. m.

Maj. Gen. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff, Army of the Potomac : GENERAL: My command is massing at this point on the plank road, where Colonel Bryan's regiments are. The dam at Sturdivant's Mill is entirely dry, and I am not able to find any water for my horses. I will water my artillery horses here. I do not learn that any water for a large number of horses can be found but at Lee's Mill.

Yours, respectfully,

D. McM. GREGG,
Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,

July 12, 1864–7.45 a. m.

Brigadier-General GREGG, Commanding Cavalry Division:

Deserters and scouts report this morning that Hill's corps or a part of it moved down the Weldon railroad yesterday, and that one division

went to Proctor's Tavern and some part was at Reams' Station. The commanding general directs that you move your division to those places and ascertain what force of the enemy occupies them.

A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General and Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,

Brigadier-General GREGG,

Commanding Cavalry Division:

July 12, 1864.

The commanding general expects frequent reports from your command, as it is important to know everything that may throw light upon the position of the enemy and of his detachments. That the enemy is not at certain points may be as important to know as that he is at others.

A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General and Chief of Staff.

P. S.-The signal officer reports that 2,000 infantry went into the intrenchments from the Weldon railroad this morning. It is probable that you will find the cavalry at Reams' Station, supported by infantry. Colonel Wyatt's, a few miles above Reams' Station, is the point where the infantry brigade picketing the railroad is said to be posted.

A. A. HI..

HEADQUARTERS SECOND CAVALRY DIVISION,
Near Gary's Church, Va., July 12, 1864-12 m.

Maj. Gen. A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Chief of Staff :

GENERAL: I have sent six regiments and a battery to Reams' Station, distant three miles and a half; toward and to Proctor's, if possible, 900 men. These commands have just started. I have two regiments and a battery at this point to support either command if necessary. At the bridge over Warwick Swamp three mounted pickets only have been seen. I will hear from my commands frequently and will report as required.

Yours, respectfully,

D. MCM. GREGG, Brigadier-General of Volunteers.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
July 12, 1864—1.30 p. m.

Brigadier-General GREGG,

Commanding Cavalry Division:

The major-general commanding directs that you make your reports to Major-General Hancock, commanding Second Corps, whose headquarters are on the plank road not far from the Williams house. He has telegraphic communication with general headquarters. You will also receive your orders from General Hancock and in every respect consider yourself under his command.

A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General and Chief of Staff.

JULY 12,

Captain WEIR, Assistant Adjutant-General:

1864-1.45 p. m.

CAPTAIN: I am within one mile and a half of the railroad station, having driven the enemy's pickets about two miles. They now make a stand with, I should judge, a regiment. The country is very thickly wooded, the road very narrow and hilly, also obstructed with felled trees we have had to clear away. I have not yet seen any place where artillery could be used. The enemy's force, as far as seen, is cavalry. Respectfully,

H. E. DAVIES, JR.,
Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE,
July 12, 1864—3.30 p. m.

Capt. H. C. WEIR, Assistant Adjutant-General :

CAPTAIN: I have been skirmishing and feeling the enemy since last report. He has a very good position, protected by breast-works and secure on both flanks, about one mile in extent. I have found them too strong to venture an attack on every part of their line. I opened on them with one piece, to which they did not reply. I could only throw into their skirmish line, as there is no position where a gun can reach their main force. They are very quiet, behaving much as they did at Saint Mary's Church, evidently waiting for a development of my force and seeking information, as small bodies of mounted men are continually riding off on both their flanks. I can also see behind their lines dust, indicating the movement of a large force. I have not engaged my whole command, as I have not deemed it prudent to place them in this position, where there is but one narrow road through a bad swamp in my rear. The First New Jersey and First Pennsylvania have both been and are now in action. I do not believe that this command can reach Reams' Station, or even the division.

Respectfully,

H. E. DAVIES, JR., Brigadier General, Commanding.

P. S.--Major Wing reports to me hearing from a woman living here that Wickham's brigade is in my front, and that Hill's corps is at the station. Two of his men were at her house last night. Several other citizens corroborate this.

H. E. DAVIES, JR.,
Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND CORPS,
July 12, 1864—5.15 p. m.

Brigadier-General GREGG, Commanding Cavalry Division:

GENERAL: 1 sent word by Captain Weir a few minutes since that I would send a division of infantry to the point where the Reams' Station road intersects the plank road. The order* has already gone to the division commander.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

WINF'D S. HANCOCK,
Major-General, Commanding.

* See Morgan to Barlow, 5.15 p. m., p. 189.

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