HEADQUARTERS SECOND CORPS,
May 12, 1864 - 5.45 p. m.

Major-General BURNSIDE:

GENERAL: Your right does not connect with my left. Do you intend to connect your line of battle with me to-night? I am afraid the enemy may break through.

Your obedient servant,

WINF'D S. HANCOCK,

Major-General.

MAY 12, 1864 - 6.10 p. m.

Major-General BURNSIDE,

Ninth Army Corps:

You will strengthen your position so as to hold it against any attack of the enemy, and give your men as much rest as you can consistent with your work in fortifying your position. Act on the offensive with your artillery during to-morrow and annoy the enemy all you can. Send all the prisoners you have to Tabernacle Church that they may go to Fredericksburg to-night by the same escort that accompanies the prisoners being sent by General Meade from here.

By command of Lieutenant-General Grant:

JNO. A. RAWLINS,

Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.

MAY 12, 1864 - 6.20 p. m.

Major-General BURNSIDE:

Do you not think there may be danger of the enemy moving on your position and attacking you in the morning? If so, would you not be strengthened by throwing your left back on to the Ny River and removing your artillery to the east side? I want you make your position secure. Answer as soon as possible. Let the regiment whose time is up go as escort to your prisoners.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,
May 12, 1864 - 8 p. m.

Lieutenant-General GRANT:

I have the honor to report that my troops occupy their old line of works. We had withdraw to this side of Ny, but on receipt of order have re-established our former line without opposition.

A. E. Burnside,

Major-General, Commanding Ninth Corps.

MAY 12, 1864 - 8.15 p. m.

Major-General BURNSIDE:

The prisoner will not be sent from here until to-morrow morning. Have yours meet them at Tabernacle Church.

By command of Lieutenant-General Grant:

JNO. A. RAWLINS,

Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.