Mill with the Second Corps, and post the Fifth Corps from the Vaughan road crossing back forward the Halifax road, prepared to meet a flank movement of the enemy or to support any point threatened in front.

GEO. G. MEADE,

Major-General.

Lieutenant-General GRANT>

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
February 8, 1865 - 12.30 p. m. (Sent 1.25 p. m.)

Yesterday Major-General Warren again advanced from his position on the right bank of hatcher's Run, and, encountering the enemy, carried the line of rifle-pits occupied by the enemy's skirmish line, and continued the advance till the fire of the artillery in the enemy's works near Dabney's Mill was drawn, and till he (Warren) jaw passed over most of the ground he had occupied the day before. This operation was performed during the prevalence of a violent hail-storm. The resistance offered by the enemy outside his works was not, however, so great as the day before. Having accomplished all that was practicable, and the enemy declining battle outside his works, I directed the withdrawal of the troops to Hatcher's Run, which was effected soon after night-fall. I forward Major-General Warren's report, just received.* The casualties of the three days' operations will not now, as far as I can judge in the absence of official returns, exceed 1,500, which is about double the number of wounded brought to the rear. The prisoners will exceed 200. The cavalry on the 5th captured twenty-five wagons, instead of eighteen, as previously reported. I am now preparating an entrenched line from Fort Cummings, our old left, to Armstrong's Mill. This line will be held by the Second Corps, and the Fifth will be massed to defend our left and rear. The cavalry and the reserves of the Sixth Corps have been returned to their former positions. The reserves of the Ninth will be returned so soon as the condition of the new line justifies.

GEO. G. MEADE,

Major-General.

Lieutenant-General GRANT.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
February 8, 1865 - 4 p. m. (Sent 4.20 p. m.)

Official returns of casualties received show: Fifth Corps, 1,400; Second Corps, 140; cavalry, 150; in all 1,690, which includes over 600 missing, of whom the greater portion will turn up, being stragglers. I send a notice found by Gregg posted up in Dinwiddie Court-House. If the enemy does no attack us to-day I think you can leave with security to-morrow.

GEO. G. MEADE,

Major-General.

Lieutenant-General GRANT.

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* See Part II, P. 487.

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