Today in History:

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

Page 523 Chapter LIV. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-UNION.


HDQRS. ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, SIGNAL DEPARTMENT,
August 26, 1864.

Major-General HUMPHREYS,

Chief of Staff:

GENERAL: The following dispatch should have been received some time since, but just came from plank road station:

At 4.40 p. m. a squadron of cavalry and brigade of infantry came from the left on line of the Weldon railroad and disappeared near lead-works, moving toward Petersburg. Immediately after another column of infantry and one of cavalry appeared coming from the left on line of Weldon railroad, and took the roads running westward parallel with each other from southeast corner of large fort. The infantry occupied thirteen minutes in passing, and the cavalry eleven minutes. The presence of a large force in the vicinity of the fort is supposed from seeing many men in scattered parties through the day, lounging about.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

B. F. FISHER,

Major and Chief Signal Officer.


HDQRS. ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, SIGNAL DEPARTMENT,
August 26, 1864-5.40 p. m.

Major-General HUMPHREYS,

Chief of Staff:

GENERAL: The following dispatch received from the signal station near the Weldon railroad under charge of the officer with General Warren:

A column of enemy's infantry, say one division, followed by two army wagons and some pack-mules, has just passed to our right on Squirrel Level road. They were twenty-five minutes passing.

STRYKER.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

B. F. FISHER,

Major and Chief Signal Officer.

PLANK ROAD SIGNAL STATION,

August 26, 1864-6 p. m.

Major B. F. FISHER:

At 5.30 a column of infantry, about a mile in length, came from our left on line of Weldon railroad and disappeared near lead-works, moving in direction of Petersburg. Another column of infantry, apparently coming from woods in rear of large fort, is halted on road west of new work. I can't see the end of the column.

H. W. FULTON,

Sergeant.

AUGUST 26, 1864.

Major B. F. FISHER,

Chief Signal Officer, Army of the Potomac:

Everything very quiet in enemy's lines all day. Nothing of any nature worthy of report noticed.

A. C. JORDAN,

Sergeant.


Page 523 Chapter LIV. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-UNION.