HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA,
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SIGNAL OFFICER,

June 15, 1864-6.35 p.m.

Captain G. S. DANA,

Signal Officer, Headquarters Tenth Army Corps:

Have you or any of your officers observed any of the enemy cross the river at Chaffin's farm or Chaffin's Bluff to the south side? Answer at once.

NORTON,

Captain.

TOWER SIGNAL STATION,

Cobb's Hill, June 15, 1864-6.50 p.m.

Captain NORTON,

Chief Signal Officer:

No troops are visible. Hancock appears to be driving them slowly. The fight has been raging with great violence for half an hour near Harrison's Creek. A train of fourteen cars loaded with troops just passed toward Petersburg. The enemy also appears to be sending troops on the roads west of Petersburg. Another train of twenty-two cars has just passed toward Petersburg loaded with troops.

CRAFT,

Lieutenant, Signal Officer.

[Indorsement.]

Respectfully forwarded for the information of Lieutenant-General Grant.

By command of Major-General Butler:

L. B. NORTON,

Captain and Chief Signal Officer.

RIVER-BANK (SPRING HILL) SIGNAL STATION,

June 15, 1864-7.30 p.m.

Captain NORTON:

A train of thirteen cars has just passed toward Petersburg; also a heavy gun by the turnpike.

GARRETT,

Sergeant, Signal Corps.

The signal officer on the power reports the turnpike full of rising dust.

SIGNAL TOWER, June 15, 1864-8.30 p.m.

Captain NORTON:

Two trains have passed toward Petersburg. Too dark to see what they were loaded with or the number of cars. The line of the last half hour's fight was on the south side of Petersburg. No fighting since dark east of Harrison's Creek. All quiet now except an occasional gun.

CRAFT,

Lieutenant, Signal Officer.