HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,
Alsop's House, May 10, 1864.

General WILLCOX,

Commanding Third Division:

GENERAL: I am very much gratified with the management of your command and desire to express my thanks for the service already performed. I sincerely hope the wound of General Stevenson may not prove fatal. It is reported that the main road from Spotsylvania Court-House to Fredericksburg crosses the road to your position and is only lightly blockaded. If such is the case, it is very necessary a strict watch should be kept up on that road. I will send you one or two regiments at once.

Very truly, yours,

A. E. BURNSIDE,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS,
Ny River, May 10, 1864-9 a. m.

General BURNSIDE:

GENERAL: It is with deep sorrow I have to report that the gallant commander of your Second Division, General Stevenson, is killed. He was, at his headquarters in front, hit by some chance shot. Colonel Leasure takes his command. Will send his body to you. Please make immediate arrangements, if possible, to forward it to Aquia Creek.

Very respectfully,

O. B. WILLCOX,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,
Alsop's, May 10, 1864-9.45 a. m.

Brigadier-General WILLCOX,

Commanding Third Division:

GENERAL: I am pained beyond measure to hear of the death of General Stevenson. We will send for his body at once. Please consider well the warning inn the note of General Grant, and unless you are pretty certain of connecting and maintaining your connection with Second Corps, you had better quietly fall back to the forks of the main road to Fredericksburg with this road and report your position. Please return the original of the note of General Grant sent you by Captain Pike.

Very truly, yours,

A. E. BURNSIDE,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,
May 10, 1864-4 p. m.

General WILLCOX,

Commanding Third Division:

The general commanding directs that you open with your artillery promptly at 5 o'clock this p. m., and have your command ready to