Today in History:

473 Series I Volume XL-II Serial 81 - Richmond, Petersburg Part II

Page 473 Chapter LII. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-UNION.

Court-House, to Old Court-House; the dismounted cavalry holding the crossing of Bailey's Creek at the Old Court-House. The left of the army covers the Jerusalem plank road as far as four miles from Petersburg. The commanding general desires you to join the army as soon as practicable, and be prepared for active co-operation with General Wilson to aid his return.

A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.


HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Douthat's House, Va., June 27, 1864-3.15 p. m.

Major General A. A. HUMPHREYS,
Chief of Staff:

GENERAL: Your dispatch has just been received. I will make every effort to cross the river rapidly. The wagons and ambulances will all be over to-night and the whole command to-morrow night. I will cross one brigade of Gregg's division over the river this evening.

P. H. SHERIDAN,

Major-General, Commanding.


HEADQUARTERS U. S. CAVALRY EXPEDITION, June 27, 1864.

Major-General HUMPHREYS,
Chief of Staff, Army of the Potomac:

My command struck South Side Railroad about fifteen miles from Petersburg, and at Ford's captured two trains with two good engines and sixteen cars. Tore up and burned the track at many places between that point and Blacks and Whites. At 4 p. m. 23rd Kautz reached Burkeville, burned depot and track, and pushed on toward Meherrin Station. The Third Division moved slowly, tearing up the track effectually. In the afternoon, near the Nottoway River, between Nottoway Station and Blacks and Whites, the Third Division met a division of rebel cavalry, W. H. F. Lee's, and after a sharp fight of several hours defeated them. The next day the whole command was reunited at Meherrin Station, from which place to Roanoke Station the railroad was completely destroyed. We could not get the Roanoke bridge, although a severe loss was experienced in the attempt. I think the road cannot be repaired in less than four weeks. The bearer will give you more details.

JAS. H. WILSON.


HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SIGNAL OFFICER, June 27, 1864.

Colonel J. W. SHAFFER,
Chief of Staff:

COLONEL: Signal communications with Broadway will be open soon. An officer was sent to open a station at that point about 10 o'clock this a. m. Message to Colonel Abbot has been sent to the tower and will be forwarded as soon as possible.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. N. ROGERS,

Lieutenant and Signal Officer.


Page 473 Chapter LII. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-UNION.