Today in History:

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

Page 451 Chapter XLVIII. CORRESPONDENCE,ETC.-UNION.

MAY 6, 1864-8.15 a.m.

Major-General HUMPHREYS,

Chief of Staff:

Signal officer reports about a brigade of enemy at point where General Crawford was yesterday (Turner's house). They are intrenching there. The following dispatch just received, date 7.40:

Wadsdworth has been slowly pushed back, but in contesting every inch of ground. The head of Burnside's column has reached the cross-roads.

Reported by Captain Cope, aide-de-camp.

Respectfully,

E. R. PLATT,

Major,&c.


HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, May 6, 1864.

Major PLAT:

I send you a dispatch* from General Hancock to read. The enemy should not be permitted to come in on us. Warren's troops should be disposed at once to prevent it.

A. A. HUMPHREYS,
Major-General and Chief of Staff.

MAY 6, 1864-9.05 a.m.

Major-General HUMPHREYS:

General Cutler's brigade has fallen back out of the woods pretty well disorganized. He reports heavy losses, and the enemy's skirmishers within three-eights of a mile from the crest to the right and front of General Warren's headquarters. General Warren is not here, but word has been sent him.

Very respectfully,

E. R. PLATT.

MAY 6, 1864-9.30 a.m.

COMMANDING OFFICER FIFTH CORPS:

The major-general commanding directs that you suspend your operations on the right, and send some force to prevent the enemy from pushing past your left, near your headquarters. They have driven in Cutler in disorder and are following him.

A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.


HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, May 6, 1864-10.35 a.m.

Major-General WARREN,
Commanding Fifth Corps:

The major-general commanding directs that under existing circumstances your attack and that of General Sedgwick be suspended. You will at once throw up defensive to enable you to hold

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*Not found, but see Hancock to Humphreys, May 6,7,10 a.m., p.440.

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Page 451 Chapter XLVIII. CORRESPONDENCE,ETC.-UNION.