troops to you. I have taken therefore the liberty to halt the column now filing past your late headquarters. Can we not get out better by the head of Three-Mile Creek; of course, this is but a suggestion, not an order, as you are under Hancock's orders. I will order forward the column as soon as the officer who takes this returns, if you desire it.

B. F. BUTLER,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS,
August 14, 1864-3.30 p. m.

General BIRNEY:

The only dispatch received for you was that the junction of Four-Mile Creek and New Market Creek* was the position he desired you to take. I replied to General Hancock that you understood it and was about to make the advance if practicable. The dispatch of General Hancock was received at 3 o'clock, dated 1.15 p. m.

B. F. BUTLER.

HEADQUARTERS,
August 14, 1864.

Major-General BIRNEY,

Commanding Tenth Corps:

Dispatch received.+ All honor to the brave Tenth Corps. These six guns and the two mortars will make a gap in the enemy's lines by which I trust you will go through. You have done more that was expected of you by the lieutenant-general.

BENJ. F. BUTLER,

Major-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS TENTH ARMY CORPS,
August 14, 1864-1 p. m.

Captain NICHOLS,

U. S. Navy:

CAPTAIN: If you can take such a position as will enable you to shell the junction of the Kingsland and Varina roads, I shall be obliged it you will do it. General Hancock says you have the range.

Respectfully, &c.,

D. B. BIRNEY,

Major-General.

Major-General HANCOCK:

Which junction on the New Market road do you refer to in your note?

D. B. BIRNEY,

Major-General.

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*So in original, but see Walker to Birney, 1.15 p. m., p. 185,

where it reads New Market road.

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+See 5.05 p. m., Part I, p. 677.