Today in History:

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

Page 336 OPERATIONS IN SE. VA. AND N. C. Chapter LIV.

CITY POINT, VA., August 20, 1864 - 4.20 p. m.

Major-General HANCOCK:

There will be a bridge for you at Broadway, on the Appomattox, and the old bridge at Point of Rocks, giving you two lines to move on.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.


HEADQUARTERS,
August 20, 1864.

General GRANT:

Richmond Sentinel of 20th says:

About 3 o'clock this evening, 19th the arrangements being completed, our forces attacked in front and flank Warren's Yankee corps which had made a temporary lodgment on the Weldon railroad two miles below here, driving them two miles, capturing over 2,000 prisoners, including General Hayes and a number of stand of colors. No news from any other sources.

WINF'D S. HANCOCK,

Major-General.


HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS,
August 20, 1864 - 9.30 p. m.

Lieutenant-General GRANT:

My chief of staff, who is at General Butler's headquarters, informs me that the roads are three feet in water in some places. He says that the troops cannot be over before morning; therefore I have directed them to proceed under the orders to their destination. The night is very dark, and, of course, there will be a great deal of difficulty on that account. One division complete is over and the other is crossing, as is the cavalry. General Birney will cross to-night. The Second Corps and the cavalry will be over at 11 o'clock.

WINF'D S. HANCOCK,

Major-General.

(Same to General Meade.)


HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS,
August 20, 1864. (Received 5.10 p. m.)

General BUTLER:

Will you oblige me once more by picketing the road to your bridge with cavalry at points where a column might to astray? I will not trouble you to build fires. The infantry will go by your bridge. General Gregg takes the left-hand road to Broadway, and will send a party of his own cavalry to picket that road.

WINF'D S. HANCOCK,

Major-General.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA,

In the Field, August 20, 1864. (Received 9.30 p. m.)

General HANCOCK,

Deep Bottom:

I have come over the road this far. The train is getting along very well, though some of the wagons are overturned. The troops cannot


Page 336 OPERATIONS IN SE. VA. AND N. C. Chapter LIV.