captured. He has not entirely recovered his original position. Some fighting has occurred there this morning without result. Have ordered railroad at Port Walthall, destroyed by enemy yesterday, to be repaired and reopened.

R. E. LEE,

General.

CLAY'S HOUSE, June 17, 1864 - 5 p. m.

His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS,

Richmond, Va.:

At 4 p. m. assaulted that portion of our front line held by enemy and forced him from it. We again have the entire line from Howlett's to Dunn's Hill.

R. E. LEE,

General.

SPECIAL ORDERS, ADJT. AND INSP. GENERAL'S OFFICE,

Numbers 141. Richmond, June 17, 1864.

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VII. Colonel George William Brent, assistant adjutant-general, will report to General Robert E. Lee for assignment to duty of the staff of General G. T. Beauregard.

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XXIII. Major B. F. Jones, quartermaster, will proceed, under detailed instructions from General B. Bragg, to inspect and report on all depot and post quartermasters and commissaries and other officers and agents of those departments not serving with the armies in the field.

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XXVI. Major General A. Elzey will proceed without delay to Lynchburg, and report to the commanding general for assignment to duty.

By command of the Secretary of War:

JNumbers WITHERS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

CLAY'S HOUSE, June 17, 1864-4.30 p. m.

Lieutenant General A. P. HILL,

Riddell's Shop, via Meadow Station:

General Beauregard reports large number of Grant's troops crossed James River above Fort Powhatan yesterday. If you have nothing contradictory of this move to Chaffin's Bluff.

R. E. LEE.

CLAY'S HOUSE, June 17, 1864.

Lieutenant General A. P. HILL,

Riddell's Shop, via Meadow Station:

As soon as you can ascertain that Grant has crossed James River move up to Chaffin's Bluff and be prepared to cross.

R. E. LEE.