Today in History:

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

Page 518 OPERATIONS IN SE. VA. AND N. C. Chapter LIV.


HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS,
August 26, 1864-1 p. m.

Lieutenant-General GRANT:

Since sending my last dispatch I have conversed with the safeguard referred to. He did not leave the field till after sunrise. At that time nearly all the enemy had left, moving toward Petersburg. He says they abandoned not only their dead, but their wounded also. He has seen a great many battle-fields, but never saw such a sight. Very few of our dead; nearly all of the enemy. All of our wounded are brought off, but our dead unburied. I have instructed Gregg to make an effort to send a party to the field and bury our dead. I should judge, from all accounts, the enemy will most likely be quiet for some time.

GEO. G. MEADE,

Major-General.

GENERAL BUTLER'S HEADQUARTERS,

August 26, 1864.

Colonel BOWERS,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

Following rebel signal message was intercepted by our signal officer at the Miles house lookout at 11 a. m.:

AUGUST 26, 1864.

General PICKETT:

Hoke's mine failed to explode from some nameless cause in the gallery. It will be tried again soon. have your re-enforcements arrived?

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

[J. W. SHAFFER.]

[Indorsement.]

1 P. M.

Forward to General Meade at General Hancock's headquarters or at headquarters of Ninth or Fifth Corps.

A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.

CITY POINT, VA., August 26, 1864.

General MEADE:

The signal dispatch intercepted is evidently a hoax, as was the one intercepted yesterday, to blind us from some really intended attack. To-day suspect it will be against Warren.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

CITY POINT, VA., August 26, 1864.

Major-General MEADE:

I think the chances are that Warren will be attacked in rear this afternoon by the same force that attacked Hancock yesterday. There will be probably a demonstration on his front by all the force now occupying the lines in his front. If Warren can prepare for both a front


Page 518 OPERATIONS IN SE. VA. AND N. C. Chapter LIV.