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SPECIAL ORDERS, { WAR DEPT., ADJT. GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, July 27, 1864.

No. 251.

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46. Capt. John E. Parsons, assistant adjutant-general of volunteers, will report in person without delay to the commanding general Army of the Potomac, for assignment to duty with the First Brigade, First Division, Fifth Army Corps.

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4. General Bartlett will relieve as much of General Ayres' line to-night as he has men to do it with. These latter, on being relieved, will be assembled with the remainder of his reserve. General Ayres will also withdraw to the reserve all his troops not necessary to connect a full line of battle from General Bartlett's to General Cutler's command, leaving, however, his artillery until relieved by other artillery.

By command of Major-General Warren:

General BARTLETT:

FRED. T. LOCKE, Assistant Adjutant-General. ̧

HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS,
July 27, 1864—10.30 a. m.

The enemy are reported to show infantry in front of our cavalry pickets to the south and southwest of us, either prepared to prevent a movement by us in that direction or, possibly, to make a demonstration against us. I wish you would have everything in readiness throughout the day that can be moved without being observed by the enemy on our front. We may have to re-enforce our left and rear. I propose to make some changes in the disposition of your troops on the front line to-night (if nothing alters my plans during the day) so as to have General Ayres in reserve.

Respectfully,

(Same to General Ayres.]

General CRAWFORD:

G. K. WARREN,
Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS,
July 27, 1864-10.30 a. m.

The cavalry officer reports the enemy's infantry on the plank road near the junction of the road from Reams' Station, and that they were numerous in front of our pickets near the Gurley house. The Reams' Station road is about six miles south of General Baxter. The Gurley

house is very near the railroad itself, about four miles and a half southwest from the Jones house. General Meade thinks the enemy have mistaken the direction of the route of General Hancock, and are preparing to meet a raid on the railroad, but that when he discovers his mistake he may endeavor to push in our left. He has sent two brigades from the Ninth Corps to picket to your left and hold the intrenchments. I shall have two other brigades support you, if necessary. Have everything in readiness to give the rebels a good reception if they pay us a visit.

Respectfully,

General CRAWFORD:

G. K. WARREN, Major-General of Volunteers.

HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS,
July 27, 1864–12 m.

More recent information renders it probable that there is no force of the enemy's infantry on the plank road, as reported.

Respectfully,

G. K. WARREN,
Major-General,

[General WARREN:]

PICKET-LINE THIRD DIVISION,
July 27, 1864—2.10 p. m.

GENERAL: The cavalry command has been changed within the last three days. McIntosh's brigade is now in our front, having replaced Alger's, and came on duty yesterday morning. Everything is quiet along my line. The enemy's patrols are moving as usual. It is possible that the new commander of the cavalry, not having been informed that there was infantry near the Gurley house when he came on duty, has made a special report. Everything, however, is in readiness. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. W. CRAWFORD,
Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,
July 27, 1864-9 a. m.

General WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

I have the honor to report that nothing unusual occurred during the night with the exception of more than ordinary firing. We suffered nothing to speak of.

A. E. BURNSIDE,
Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,

Major-General BURNSIDE:

July 27, 1864—9.30 a. m.

I think it extremely probable the effect of Hancock's movement may produce an attempt on the part of the enemy to turn and attack our left

flank. I therefore desire you keep in view the contingency of holding your intrenchments with the minimum force, and being prepared to send any available movable force to the left and rear.

GEO. G. MEADE, Major-General, Commanding.

All

Sent to division commanders for their information and guidance. the troops not in the advance line will be held in readiness to move at short notice, including batteries not in position.

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HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
July 27, 1864—10 a. m.

Major-General BURNSIDE:

What is the reason the powder cannot be carried to the mine at once? It is of great importance the mine should be loaded without delay. GEO. G. MEADE, Major-General.

General MEADE:

HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,
July 27, 1864—10 a. m.

We will endeavor to get the powder in to-day. The only reason for waiting till night is to avoid discovery as the enemy throws shells at all working parties that are seen and it would be a little dangerous to have a party carrying powder shelled. By making the men walk low we can probably escape detection.

A. E. BURNSIDE,
Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
July 27, 1864—10.15 a. m.

Major-General BURNSIDE,

Commanding Ninth Corps:

The cavalry picketing on the left report the enemy's infantry on the plank road this side of the fork of the road leading to Reams' Station. The major-general commanding directs that you send the brigade of Willcox's division not in the trenches, or other brigade of white troops not in the trenches, and the brigade of Ferrero's division not in the trenches to occupy the redoubt on the Norfolk road and the line of intrenchments formerly occupied by Ferrero, joining Warren's corps at or near the last redoubt on the plank road. These two brigades will picket the line from which Hancock's troops were withdrawn yesterday.

A. A. HUMPHREYS,
Chief of Staff.

The above order is sent to General Willcox and General White for their information. The brigade of General Willcox's division out of the trenches (Humphrey's) will report to General White, who will be in

command of that part of the line lately occupied by General Hancock, and will be governed by the above instructions. The brigade of the Fourth Division should be started at once to occupy the line, under command of an officer acquainted with the line.

By command, &c.:

J. L. VAN BUREN.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
July 27, 1864—10.30 a. m.

Major-General BURNSIDE, Commanding Ninth Corps:

Please report what officer will command the two brigades ordered to occupy the intrenchments from the plank road to the Norfolk road, and direct him to report where his headquarters will be established, as well as everything important that occurs, to these headquarters, and also to Major-General Warren, commanding Fifth Corps.

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

[Indorsement.]

Forwarded for the information and guidance of General White.
By command, &c.:

J. L. VAN BUREN,
Major and Aide-de-Camp.

HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,
July 27, 1864. (Received 11.40 a. m.)

Major-General HUMPHREYS:

All the movements ordered by your dispatch have been ordered. General White will command the troops taking Hancock's line. A. E. BURNSIDE, Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
July 27, 1864—2.45 p. m.

Major-General BURNSIDE, Commanding Ninth Corps:

The major-general commanding directs me to say that if you desire to relieve any brigade now in the trenches in your front by the colored brigade on the left, you can do so, sending the relieved brigade to the trenches commanded by General White in lieu of the black brigade. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General and Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,
July 27, 1864-9 p. m. (Received 10 p. m.)

General WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant-General:

Colonel Pleasants reports the right lateral gallery of the mine charged, that the left gallery will be charged by 11 o'clock and the tamping completed by 4 a. m. I would not like to guarantee this, but believe it will be finished by daylight. Nothing further of importance on my line. A. E. BURNSIDE, Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
July 27, 1864—10 p. m.

Major-General BURNSIDE:

Hancock will remain across the James to-morrow, so that the mine will probably not be sprung till after to-morrow. Under the circumstances it would perhaps be better not to tamp the main gallery or so completely finish the loading as to endanger the efficacy of the mine in case of delay; at any rate there is no immediate hurry. Hancock found the enemy in considerable force in his front to-day, and has not made much progress since morning, but he is going to try it again to

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Your dispatch received. I have sent to the mine and will soon have

a report, which I will forward.

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The wagon-master in charge of the train expected from City Point reported with it at the reserve ammunition train early this morning. What instructions shall be given?

Respectfully,

E. R. WARNER,

Lieutenant-Colonel and Inspector of Artillery.

HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,
July 27, 1864.

Colonel WARNER:

I will have a guard placed over it at once. The wagon-master can report to Captain Wright, in charge of our reserve train. It cannot be carried to the mine until after dark.

A. E. BURNSIDE,
Major-General.

HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., FIRST DIV., NINTH ARMY CORPS,

Lieut. Col. LEWIS RICHMOND,

Before Petersburg, Va., July 27, 1861.

Assistant Adjutant-General:

COLONEL: I have the honor to report as general of the trenches for the twenty-four hours ending at 8 a. m. to-day as follows: In the lines of the First Division the policing is very thoroughly done. The work

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