HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES,
City Point, June 17, 1864-10.45 p.m.

Major-General BUTLER:

Commanding Department of Virginia and North Carolina:

GENERAL: The following dispatch* just received from General Meade, and in consequence the order relieving Smith has been suspended. He may probably be sent to you to-morrow.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

JUNE 17, 1864-11.30 p.m.

Lieutenant-General GRANT:

I am sorry to say nothing has been done, or even a vigorous attempt made. I gave the following order+ at the times indicated, and after waiting a long time I sent out my aide to learn why they were not executed, and received the following reply,++ which is sent for the information of the lieutenant-general. To that I answered as follows:

It is impossible to get on if orders are not obeyed.

BENJ. F. BUTLER,

Major-General, Commanding.

BERMUDA, June 17, 1864-1 a.m.

Colonel SHAFFER:

I notified you immediately on arrival of steamer John Brooks that General Wright had arrived on her with 1,500 troops. The steamers that go up to Point of Rocks are ordered up there from City Point by orders from General Grant. I have advise of them here.

C. E. BUTLER,

Lieutenant-Colonel and Quartermaster.

BERMUDA, June 17, 1864.

Colonel SHAFFER:

The boats that brought up Wright's troops have returned unless there are some small boats now up in the Appomattox. Shall I send the Greyhound down for transportation? How many men are there in the three 100-days' regiment?

C. E. FULLER,

Lieutenant-Colonel and Quartermaster.

BERMUDA, June 17, 1864.

Colonel SHAFFER:

The Albany has arrived with troops. Have ordered them to the front.

C. E. FULLER,

Lieutenant-Colonel and Quartermaster.

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

* See Meade to Grant, 9 p.m., p.118.

+ See Butler to Terry, 7 p.m., p.151; and Butler to Wright, 7.10 p.m., p.131.

++ See Wright to Butler, 10.20 p.m., p.131.

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