JUNE 14, 1864.

Colonel SHAFFER:

In the special order of to-day relieving General Gillmore from command is the expression, "Brigadier-General Terry, the senior officer, commanding the line of defenses." Is it intended that I shall assume command of the whole line and of the troops within the line?

ALF. H. TERRY,

Brigadier-General.

GENERAL BUTLER'S HEADQUARTERS, June 14, 1864-3.40 p.m.

General TERRY:

Your being senior officer, the intention is for you to assume command of entire line for the present.

J. W. SHAFFER,

Colonel and Chief of Staff.

GENERAL ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS LINE OF DEFENSES,

No. 1. Near Ware Bottom Church, June 14, 1864.

I. In pursuance of instruction from department headquarters the undersigned assumes command of the intrenchments and of the troops assigned to their defense.

II. Official communication from the command will be addressed to Captain Adrian Terry, assistant adjutant-general.

ALF. H. TERRY,

Brigadier-General, U. S. Volunteers.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, June 14, 1864.

General TERRY,
Commanding:

GENERAL: Detail four field batteries from your command to report to Major-General Smith to-night in the vicinity of Point of Rocks, two of them to be regular.

By command of General Butler:

J. W. SHAFFER,

Colonel and Chief of Staff.

Colonel Jackson has been directed to detail two from Tenth Corps.

Please detail the two from the Eighteenth Corps.

S.

GENERAL BUTLER'S HEADQUARTERS, June 14, 1864-8.50 p.m.

General TERRY:

It will be necessary to take General Kautz and 3,000 cavalry on expedition under Smith to-night. We will arrange to leave part of Smith's infantry as a reserve. I will detain your aide until everything is settled,