HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, NINTH ARMY CORPS, Lieut. Col. L. RICHMOND, Assistant Adjutant-General, Ninth Army Corps: COLONEL: I have the honor to report everything quiet along my lines during the night. The enemy during the night placed sand-bags along their whole line of works for the protection of their sharpshooters. I would respectfully suggest similar plan, as it is indispensably necessary for the protection of our own men. I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, NINTH ARMY CORPS, Lieut. Col. L. RICHMOND, Assistant Adjutant General, Ninth Army Corps: COLONEL: I have the honor to report that since the early part of the day there has been a truce between my pickets and those of the enemy, and that they have been conversing and exchanging newspapers. There has, however, been firing, both of cannon and mortars, and toward evening it became quite rapid. I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, HEADQUARTERS SECOND DIVISION, NINTH ARMY CORPS, Before Petersburg, Va., July 16, 1864. Lieut. Col. LEWIS RICHMOND, Assistant Adjutant-General, Ninth Army Corps: COLONEL: I have the honor to report that during the day and up to near evening everything remained quiet on my front. Before dark a force of the enemy was seen moving to our right, apparently relieving part of his line, and was opened upon by our batteries, the rebel batteries making little reply. The mine of the Forty-eighth Pennsylvania will be under the enemy's works to-night or by to-morrow morning. I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Lieut. Col. L. RICHMOND, ROBERT B. POTTER, Brigadier-General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, Assistant Adjutant-General : COLONEL: I have the honor to report that a brisk skirmish firing was kept up on Hartranft's front during the night. There is, and has been for some days, no picket-firing in front of Humphrey's brigade, but owing to the situation of the lines his casualties are as great as those of the First Brigade. The enemy threw five discharges of artillery yesterday down the ravine which lies between Humphrey's main and picket lines, which ravine is quite swept by the enemy's guns on our left. We have no guns in position bearing on this ravine. The only place where a gun can be put for the purpose is on the front line where it crosses the hollow near the road, and by no means a good point for a gun for any other purpose than defense against a force which might drive in our pickets and charge down the ravine, and in case of disaster the gun could not be got away; nevertheless, if it be the wish of the majorgeneral commanding, I will put one or two guns in this position. Very respectfully, O. B. WILLCOX, Col. L. RICHMOND, HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, Assistant Adjutant-General, Ninth Corps : COLONEL: I have the honor to report that the mortars are doing such good execution that a greater number could be used to great advantage on my line. I am satisfied that the explosion reported in the rebel redoubt was that of a magazine, as logs were seen to fly up. To avoid the shells this afternoon the rebels in front of Humphrey's line were seen to jump on the outside of the works, there being no picket-firing at that point to prevent. I have ordered the work in the ravine to be thrown up for two guns, also embrasures built for four more guns at Roemer's battery, in order to give us a superiority of guns against the rebel redoubt opposite. Very respectfully, O. B. WILLCOX, HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Brigadier-General GREGG, Commanding Cavalry Division: July 16, 1861-7.45 a. m. The commanding general directs that you withdraw to your former camp at Jordan's Point. You will direct the regiments composing the detachment under Colonel Bryan to report to their respective brigades. You will leave one of your regularly organized brigades to picket and scout on the left of the army. The commander of this brigade will report everything that occurs to these headquarters, as well as to the commander of the corps on the left, Major-General Warren, commanding Fifth Corps. He will picket about the same line on the left that Colonel Bryan picketed, connecting with the infantry picket on his right, and extending around to the plank road near the church. He will patrol well down the plank road, well down the old Norfolk road, and to Lee's Mill, and will also patrol across from the plank road to the Prince George Court-House road. You will see that his supplies of every kind are regularly maintained. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General and Chief of Staff. Scouting parties should be sent out from time to time toward the railroad, to Wyatt's, and toward Reams' Station. HEADQUARTERS SECOND DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS, Brigadier-General DAVIES, Comdg. First Brig., Second Cav. Div.: GENERAL: In compliance with instructions from headquarters Army of the Potomac, you will with your brigade picket and scout on the left of the army in the following manner: You will picket about the same line on the left that Colonel Bryan picketed, connecting with the infantry picket on your right, and extending around the plank road near Gary's Church. You will patrol well down the plank road and well down the old Norfolk road and to Lee's Mill, and will also patrol across from the plank road to the Prince George Court-House road. You will report everything that occurs to the headquarters Army of the Potomac, as well as to Major-General Warren, commanding Fifth Army Corps, on the left of the army. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, D. MCM. GREGG, Commanding Second Cavalry Division. HEADQUARTERS PROVISIONAL BRIGADE, July 16, 1864. Maj. Gen. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff: GENERAL: The negro who has given us valuable information, of whom I spoke, I send by the bearer of this. He has some information, and as General Meade told me he would have him paid should he obtain any valuable information I send him to you. He says the enemy are about to advance their lines on the Gurley house and Gary's Church road. As I cannot have my command relieved before 6 p. m., and Colonel Devin says it took him five hours to come here, with this information from the negro, and the deserter yesterday to the same effect, I will not leave Colonel Devin's camp till early to-morrow morning, unless I receive further orders. Very respectfully, T. M. BRYAN, JR., HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, In the Field, July 16,-1864. Lieutenant-Colonel FULLER, Chief Q. M., Bermuda Hundred: I wish a light barge, suitable for a wharf, for military purposes of the highest importance; ordered by General Grant. Can you furnish one to-morrow? Please answer. PETER S. MICHIE, First Lieutenant, U. S. Engineers. HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, General BROOKS: (To be sent to Captain Smith, in command of the navy on James River.) Communication to Mallory sent. No answer yet. Flag of truce now out. BENJ. F. BUTLER, Major-General, Commanding. HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, General W. T. H. BROOKS, Tenth Corps. Two of your regiments are on the ground Paine is to occupy on the left. Paine's regiment is there waiting for yours to move. The latter refuses to do so till night. It is cool and pleasant enough now. Can't you start them? G. WEITZEL, Brigadier-General and Acting Chief of Staff. General WEITZEL: HEADQUARTERS TENTH ARMY CORPS, July 16, 1864. I will have those regiments moved. Is there any person about your headquarters who wants to buy a fine horse or two? General WEITZEL: W. T. H. BROOKS. HEADQUARTERS TENTH ARMY CORPS, July 16, 1864. I have notice of acceptance of my resignation. Who will relieve me? W. T. H. BROOKS, HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, In the Field, July 16, 1864. General Humphreys will be your successor. The commanding general directs that you turn over your command to General Terry, the next in rank. G. WEITZEL, Brigadier-General and Acting Chief of Staff. HEADQUARTERS TENTH ARMY CORPS, Brig. Gen. A. H. TERRY, In the Field, July 16, 1864. GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs that special vigilance be observed along your lines to-night and to-morrow morning. Respectfully, your obedient servant, [Indorsement.] ED. W. SMITH, Assistant Adjutant-General. In pursuance of instructions from corps headquarters the line of defenses will be manned at taps, the troops to be allowed to sleep in the works and to return to camp half an hour after sunrise to-morrow, that time there is no alarm at the front. if at General FoSTER: HEADQUARTERS TENTH ARMY CORPS, What has been going on in your front this morning? July 16, 1864. W. T. H. BROOKS, Brigadier-General, Commanding. Lieut. Col. E. W. SMITH, HEADQUARTERS, Deep Bottom, July 16, 1864. Assistant Adjutant-General, Tenth Army Corps: The enemy opened early this morning from a battery of four guns (three rifled and one smooth-bore) on the gun-boat Mendota at the pontoon bridge. The gun-boat was struck several times and I think had some casualties. The bridge is unhurt, but escaped narrowly. My headquarters were shelled without any loss, however, except a horse belonging to one of the staff. The battery is situated on Strawberry Plains, just in the edge of the woods, and completely enfilades the river at this point. They have ceased firing, but I think are still in position. The gun-boat has dropped down the river. Respectfully, yours, R. S. FOSTER, W. T. H. BROOKS. HEADQUARTERS TENTH CORPS, Can't your own guns reach the enemy in their present position? W. T. H. BROOKS, Brigadier-General. BROOKS' HEADQUARTERS, July 16, 1864. General BUTLER: At 7 a. m. a rebel battery located in the edge of the woods below Four-Mile Creek opened upon General Foster's camp and the steamer Mendota. Casualties on steamer, 2 killed, 1 officer and 4 men wounded. Firing still going on. SMITH, Captain. |