Today in History:

203 Series I Volume XLVI-III Serial 97 - Appomattox Campaign Part III

Page 203 Chapter LVIII. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-UNION.

ORDERS.] HEADQUARTERS SIXTH CORPS, March 27, 1865.

With a view to probable movements of the corps, all surplus baggage, material, stores, &c., will be sent to the rear to-morrow and the troops kept in condition to move at a moment's notice. Four days' rations will be issued to the troops and eight days' rations kept in the wagons, in accordance with instructions contained in circular from headquarters Army of the Potomac, March 14, 1865. The troops will also be provided with the amount of ammunition specified in said circular. When the corps moves, but five batteries of four guns each will be taken, of which three will be smooth-bore and two rifled, and these will be provided with 270 rounds of ammunition per gun. The batteries to be taken will be designated by the chief of artillery, and the remainder will be sent to City Point. The wagons with entrenching tools will be assigned to the respective divisions and accompany them. One-half of the ambulances, one medicine wagon, and one army wagon with hospital supplies to each brigade, and one wagon with forage to each division ambulance train will accompany the troops, and the remainder of the ambulance and hospital trains will be held subject to further orders.

By command of Major-General Wright:

C. H. WHITTELSEY,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

ORDERS.] HEADQUARTERS SIXTH CORPS, March 27, 1865.

Division commanders will have their troops under arms at 4 a. m. to-morrow, and will remain so until one hour after daylight. Also at 4 a. m. the picket-lines of the respective divisions will be supported by two regiments (or more, if the division commanders should deem it advisable), at least equal in strength to the present picket detail, to remain in position until this light enough to plainly distinguish the enemy's position. The artillery will also be held in readiness as above. There are certain indications on the part of the enemy that lead the major-general commanding to suspect that an attack may be made upon the lines of this corps to-morrow morning.

By command of Major-General Wright:

C. H. WHITTELSEY,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

OFFICIAL.] HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, SIXTH CORPS, March 27, 1865.

In compliance with the above instructions, brigade commanders will each detail a regiment, at least 250 strong, as a support to the picket-line. The regiments of the Third Brigade will be posted on or near the line of the Weldon railroad, and each regimental commander of the regiments thus detailed, when in position, will report in person to Lieutenant-Colonel Rhodes, division officer of the day. The details from the First and Second Brigades will in like manner be so posted as best to support any attack that may be made upon their respective brigade picket-lines.

By command of Brevet Major-General Wheaton:

A. M. TYLER,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.


Page 203 Chapter LVIII. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-UNION.