"The first general order issued by the Father of his Country after the Declaration of Independence indicates the spirit in which our institutions were founded and should ever be defended."

CHAPTER XLVIII.

OPERATIONS IN SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA.

May 1-June 12, 1864.

PART I.

SUMMARY OF THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS.

May 4-June 12, 1864. - Campaign from the Rapidan to the James River, Va.

May 4-6, 1864. - Operations about New Berne and in Albermarle Sound, N. C., including skirmishers on the Trent road, and on the south side of the Trent River, engagement with the Confederate ram Albemarle, and surrender of Union outpost at Croatan.

May 4-June 2, 1864. - Operations on the south side of the James River, Va.

May 24, 1864. - Action at Wilson's Wharf, Va.

June 9, 1864. - Engagement at Petersburg, Va.

GENERAL REPORTS.

No. 1. - Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant, U. S. Army, commanding Armies of the United States, including operations March, 1864-May, 1865.

No. 2. - Dispatches of Charles A. Dana, Assistant Secretary of War.

No. 1. Reports of Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant, U. S. Army, commanding Armies of the United States, including operations March, 1864 -May, 1865.

GERMAN FORD, May 4, 1864.

(Received 1.50 p. m.)

The crossing of Rapidan effected. Forty-eight hours now will demonstrate whether the enemy intends giving battle this side of Richmond. Telegraph Butler that we have crossed the Rapidan.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

Chief of Staff.

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