Corps and will relieve Wright. I will send him word that as soon as he will send up Martindale's division I will send down one of Wright's, but this may interfere with the moving out, if to be done to-night.

B. F. BUTLER,

Major-General.

JUNE 17, 1864-5.15 p.m.

Lieutenant-General GRANT:

The enemy have formed in line of battle and driven in our picket-line in front of our center, and advanced up to their former line. Shall we attack them in force? Our artillery will open at once upon their line.

BENJ. F. BUTLER,

Major-General, Commanding.

GENERAL GRANT'S HEADQUARTERS,

June 17, 1864-6 p.m.

General BUTLER:

General Grant is at the front in vicinity of General Meade's headquarters. Have sent your dispatches to him.

Respectfully,

T. S. BOWERS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

CITY POINT, June 17, 1864-6.45 p.m.

Major-General BUTLER:

Your dispatch was received some miles out on the Petersburg road, hence the delay in answering. Smith has been ordered to join you to-night. You need not send Wright back till I direct. if possible the enemy should be driven back and the elevated point occupied by you this morning fortified and held. If Wright is no longer required you can relieve him to-morrow.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES,
June 17, 1864-9.45 p.m.

Major-General BUTLER:

Has anything been done this evening toward reoccupying the ground held this morning? I was in hopes after gaining the railroad you would be able to fortify a position that would command and render it useless to the enemy. If this is yet within your power I want it done.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

[Indorsement.]

Forwarded for the information of General Wright.

B. F. BUTLER,

Major-General, Commanding.