JUNE 16, 1864-11.40 a.m.

Captain NORTON:

Our troops are deploying into the woods about one mile up and to the south of the Port Walthall railroad. They have met no enemy as yet.

CRAFT,

Lieutenant, Signal Officer.

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

June 16, 1864-3 p.m.

Colonel J. W. SHAFFER,

Chief of Staff:

COLONEL: The signal officer on the tower reports that our cavalry have reached Port Walthall Junction.

Respectfully, &c.,

L. B. NORTON,

Captain and Chief Signal Officer.

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

June 16, 1864-8.50 p.m.

Colonel SHAFFER,

Chief of Staff:

COLONEL: The signal officer on the tower reports that the fight has commenced south of Petersburg.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

L. B. NORTON,

Captain and Chief Signal Officer.

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

June 16, 1864-10.15 p.m.

Colonel J. W. SHAFFER,

Chief of Staff:

COLONEL: The signal officer on the tower reports that he now sees "No indication of fighting going on to the south of Petersburg. All is quiet in that direction. Too smoky for reliable observations."

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

L. B. NORTON,

Captain and Chief Signal Officer.

ORDERS.] JUNE 16, 1864-8.30 a.m.

Two regiments of the Ohio Volunteers will be at once ordered to Wilson's Wharf, under command of Colonel-, to hold that point and relieve General Wild, who will report with his command at City Point on the same steamers which convey the Ohio troops. Another