HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS,
March 30 [31], 1865-8.15 a.m.

General AYRES:

GENERAL: During the night. I received a dispatch of which the inclosed is a copy.* I infer from that the small force of General Merritt, which gained the White Oak road, fell back again a short distance. The point called "Five Forks" alluded to is on the White Oak road, about four miles due west from S. Dabney's. You must therefore have your dispositions made to look out for any force coming against your left flank from the west as well as from the north. General Crawford is to mass at the "negro house" in a field which you passed on your way out. General Griffin is where you camped last night. I send you a tracing.#

G. K. WARREN,

Major-General, Commanding.

FRED. T. LOCKE,

Brevet-Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS,
March 31, 1865-11 p.m

General AYRES:

GENERAL: Instead of halting your command as directed in your last order you will proceed down the plank road to Dinwiddie Court-House, and report to General Sheridan. Send a staff officer to report here at this house when the head of your column gets here.

By command of Major-General Warren:

FRED. T. LOCKE,

Brevet-Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND DIVISION, FIFTH CORPS,
March 31, 1865.

Brevet Brigadier-General WINTHROP,

Commanding First Brigade:

GENERAL: General Ayres directs me to say that if is dark at 5 o'clock you need not move out until you have, in your own opinion, sufficient light. Please send word when you move.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. W. SWAN,

Brevet Major, U. S. Army, and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND DIVISION, FIFTH CORPS,
March 31, 1865.

Colonel R. N. BOWERMAN,

Commanding Second Brigade:

COLONEL: The division picket officer reports that your pickets do not connect with anything on the left. As your brigade is covering the

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*See Webb to Warren, 9.45 p.m., embodying Sheridan to Grant, 7 p.m., March 30, p. 306.

#Not found as an inclosure.

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24 R R-VOL XLVI, PT III