HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
June 18, 1864.

General J. A. EARLY,

Lynchburg, Va.:

Grant is in front of Petersburg. Will be opposed there. Strike as quick as you can, and, if circumstances authorize, carry out the original plan, or move upon Petersburg without delay.

R. E. LEE.

PETERSBURG, June 19, 1864.

Honorable SECRETARY OF WAR:

A dispatch just received from New London* states that an assault was made on our lines at Lynchburg last night and repulsed by troops that had arrived. When rest of our force came up, preparations were made to attack this morning, but enemy retreated in confusion. Our troops in pursuit.

R. E. LEE,

General.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS, &C., Numbers -. Liberty, Va., June 20, 1864.

Major General John C. Breckinridge will resume command of the troops heretofore commanded by him, the infantry being under command of Major-General Elzey, and the cavalry under Major-General Ransom.

By order of Lieutenant-General Early:

A. S. PENDLETON,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS, &c.,

June 23, 1864.

Major-General BRECKINRIDGE:

GENERAL: Lieutenant-General Early directs that you start in the morning promptly at 3 o'clock, your trains moving as to-day. Come toward Buchanan, following General Rodes.

I am, general, respectfully,

A. S. PENDLETON,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

(Same to General Elzey.)

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
June 26, 1864.

His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS,

President Confederate States:

Mr. PRESIDENT: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 25th instant. General Hunter has escaped Early, and will make good his retreat, as far as I can understand, to Lewisburg. Although his expedition has been partially interrupted, I fear he has not been much punished, except by the demoralization

---------------

* See p. 160.

---------------