[Inclosure.]

NEAR BOTTOM'S BRIDGE, June 4, 1864.

Brigadier General L. L. LOMAX:

GENERAL: General Lee directs that you picket Crouch's Ford hereafter with a regiment instead of the picket you now have there. Major Breathed has been ordered to send two pieces of artillery to that point.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. D. FERGUSON,

Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.

[36.]

CAMP FIRST ENGINEER REGIMENT,

Garnett's Farm, June 4, 1864--12 m.

Lieutenant Colonel C. S. VENABLE,

Aide-de-camp to General R. E. Lee:

COLONEL: Your dispatch of this morning is received. We have repaired the causeway at McClellan's Bridge (the second Federal bridge below New Bridge), and will lay the pontoon there at once. I have a large force at work on the causeway at the bridge on Golding's farm, and will continue the work. By using the material of the old causeway that remains, and such parts of it as are still standing, I hope to make a crossing for wagons by to-morrow. The material is not as sound as I would like, but it will be better to risk it.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

T. M. R. TALCOTT,

Colonel.

P. S.--I inclose a sketch* designating the bridges.

T. M. R. T.

[36.]

HEADQUARTERS, &C.,
Near Bottom's Bridge, June 4 [1864]--5.30 p. m.

Colonel TAYLOR,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

General Fitz. Lee has just reported to me that 400 enemy's cavalry had crossed, a mile below Long Bridge. He had sent to meet the movement. He has had information that enemy has pontoons at Shirley. Ransom's brigade will be here some time to-night.

Very respectfully,

R. RANSOM, Jr.,

Major-General.

[36.]

WILLIAMSBURG ROAD,

Two Miles from Bottom's Bridge, June 4, 1864--8.30 p. m.

General BRAGG:

Colonel Gary reports that the enemy's cavalry have crossed the Chickahominy below Long Bridge 400 strong, and that more are crossing. I will inform you of any further movements. A scout reports that the enemy have brought up thirty-six pontoons to Shirley.

R. RANSOM, Jr.,

Major-General.

[36.]

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*Not found.

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