Today in History:

442 Series I Volume XXXVI-II Serial 68 - Wilderness-Cold Harbor Part II

Page 442 OPERATIONS IN SE. VA. AND N.C. Chapter XLVIII.


HDQRS. SECOND CORPS, May 6, 1864-8.40 a.m.

Major-General MEADE, Hdqrs. Army of the Potomac:

GENERAL: General Wadsworth has now only about 2,000 for duty. General Stevens is moving along the plank road to support, &c. General Hancock has ordered the attack to be at once pressed, especially on the right and center. He thinks the enemy either drawing off or else massing on, perhaps his left. There is a lull. Two squads of prisoners from Longstreet have been recently taken. Troops behave steadily; no straggling.

T. LYMAN,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Volunteer Aide-de-Camp.


HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,

May 6, 1864-8.45 a.m.

Major-General HANCOCK, Commanding Second Corps:

The major-general commanding directs me to inform you that General Sheridan has been directed to make an attack with a division of cavalry on Longstreet's flank and rear by the Brock road. General Sheridan received the order at Chancellorsville at 8 o'clock.

A. A. HUMPHREYS.

Major-General and Chief of Staff.


HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
May 6, 1864-9 a.m. (Received 9.15 a.m.)

Major-General HANCOCK, Commanding Second Corps:

The major-general commanding directs me to inform you that Colonel Comstock has gone out to General Burnside to point out to him where to attack the enemy on or near the plank road. He directs that you attack at the same time with Burnside.

A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.

MAY 6, 1864-9.30 a.m.

Major-General MEADE:

GENERAL: General Bartlett's brigade is close in now. We are heavily engaged on the right; Bartlett will go in on right. A few of Mott's men have come back; not many.

T. LYMAN,

Volunteer Aide-de-Camp.

MAY 6, 1864-9.30 a.m.

(Received 9.45 a.m.)

COMMANDING OFFICER SECOND CORPS:

I send you a dispatch just received from Major Platt.* The major-general commanding directs that you make immediate disposition to check this movement of the enemy across and through General Warren's left.

A. A. HUMPHREYS,.

Major-General and Chief of Staff.

P. S.- We have no troops to spare here.

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*See Platt to Humphreys, 9.05 a.m., p. 451.

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Page 442 OPERATIONS IN SE. VA. AND N.C. Chapter XLVIII.