Today in History:

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

Page 529 Chapter XLVIII. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. - UNION.

A canvas pontoon train will be sent to the Second Corps and one to the Sixth Corps this evening, and will be placed at the head of the trains of these corps on to-morrow's march.

By command of Major-General Meade:

CHAS. E. PEASE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

ORDERS.] HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,

May 8, 1864-4.10 p.m.

The movements of troops for to-morrow, May 9, if any are made, will be as follows: First, the Second Corps, followed by the Fifth Corps, via Block house, Penny's Tavern, Mount Pleasant, Three Cornered Handkerchief; Waller's Church to Dabney's Mills. Second, the Sixth Corps, followed by the Artillery Reserve, and such ammunition trains as are not taken with the corps, via Spotsylvania Court-House, Mattapony Church, Green Branch, and New Market, to Davenport's Ford. Third, the leading columns will march at daylight, and be followed by the other columns as soon as the roads are cleared by the advance. Fourth, the main wagon trains, to be followed by the Ninth Corps, will move via Alsop's, Gate, Anderson's, Smith's Mill, Stanard's Mill, Mud Tavern, Round Oak Church, to Chilesburg. Fifth, each column will have a pontoon train. Sixth, no guards will accompany main wagon trains from corps but disabled and extra duty men. Seventh, the cavalry will be concentrated as already ordered to move against the enemy's cavalry, and thence to James River. Eighth, the five days' subsistence ordered this morning to be provided to-day, must be issued to the troops to-night at all hazards.

By command of Major-General Meade:

S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

ORDERS.] HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,

May 8, 1864-11.05 p.m.

I. The army will remain quiet to-morrow, 9th instant, to give the men rest and to distribute ammunition and rations.

II. Corps commanders will strengthen their positions by intrenchments. The chief engineer and his assistants will aid in making the necessary examinations and in throwing up the works.

III. Corps commanders will return to their proper commands troops of other corps temporarily assigned to them.

IV. They will make field returns of the number present for duty.

V. Will send an estimate of casualties during the recent operations.

VI. Every effort will be made to bring up stragglers.

By command of Major-General Meade:

S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

34 R R-VOL XXXVI, PT II


Page 529 Chapter XLVIII. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. - UNION.