Today in History:

330 Series I Volume XLII-II Serial 88 - Richmond-Fort Fisher Part II

Page 330 OPERATIONS IN SE. VA. AND N. C. Chapter LIV.

CITY POINT, August 20, 1864.

(Received 8.15 p. m.)

Captain McENTEE,

Headquarters Army of the Potomac:

We have news from Orange Court-House from our own men up to Wednesday morning last. No troops had passed there from General Lee's army since the division of Longstreet's corps, which passed two weeks ago to-day, except Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry. Both the old men agree that to infantry has passed either way for the past two weeks. Deserters sent in from General Hancock left their lines after sunrise this morning. Late last night Field's division and the two brigades of Anderson's division were still on General Hancock's front. What else they did not know, if any, except that there was still right smart of cavalry on north side. The line of Pickett's division between the two rivers remains unchanged.

SHARPE,

Colonel.

(Same to Lieutenant Davenport.)


HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, OFFICE OF PROVOST-MARSHAL-GENERAL,
In the Field, August 20, 1864.

Colonel SHARPE,

Deputy Provost-Marshal-General, City Point:

Nothing new, save deserters report six regiments of Pickett's division as having left our front and gone to the north side of the James.

JOHN I. DAVENPORT,

Lieutenant, Aide-de-Camp, and Assistant Provost-Marshal.

PLANK ROAD SIGNAL STATION,

August 20, 1864 - 9.15 a. m.

Major FISHER:

All quiet. Camps unchanged.

H. W. FULTON.

PLANK ROAD SIGNAL STATION,

August 20, 1864 - 10 a. m.

Major B. F. FISHER:

Impossible to make observations on account of the unfavorable condition of the atmosphere. Heavy firing on our left on line of Weldon railroad.

H. W. FULTON.

STATION NEAR GIBBON'S HOUSE,

August 20, 1864 - 11.30 a. m.

Major B. F. FISHER,

Chief Signal Officer, Army of the Potomac:

A brigade of about 1,500 rebel infantry moved out of Petersburg at 11 this a. m., moving to the left. The enemy are very busy strengthening the four-gun battery to the left of white house on Cemetery Hill.

A. C. JORDAN.


Page 330 OPERATIONS IN SE. VA. AND N. C. Chapter LIV.