Today in History:

520 Series I Volume XLII-II Serial 88 - Richmond-Fort Fisher Part II

Page 520 OPERATIONS IN SE. VA. AND N. C. Chapter LIV.

CITY POINT, August 26, 1864.

Major-General MEADE:

You are authorized at all times, until further orders, to assume command and direct the movements of all troops operating against Petersburg south of the Appomattox.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

(Copy to General Ord.)


HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
August 26, 1864-1 p. m.

Major-General MEADE,

Commanding Army of the Potomac:

I send you part of McEntee's report of statement of prisoners as to the force of the enemy against Hancock yesterday.* The cavalry on the enemy's right is W. H. F. Lee's division, composed of Chambliss' (old), Barringer's, and Dearing's brigades, and Butler's division (Hampton's old), composed of Young's, Rosser's, and Butler's brigades. There is, besides, a small brigade commanded by Colonel Gary. Some two or three regiments of cavalry have been left off on north side of James. Hampton commands all the cavalry, and has been promoted to be lieutenant-general.

A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.


HEADQUARTERS SECOND CORPS,
August 26, 1864-2 p. m.

Major-General HUMPHREYS:

Ask General Hunt if he cannot spare one or two batteries for Hancock to use near the Williams house. I think there are some of the Ninth Corps which are available; if he takes them let him notify Parke of it.

GEO. G. MEADE,

Major-General.


HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, PROVOST-MARSHAL-GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT, August 26, 1864.

Major-General HUMPHREYS,
Chief of Staff:

GENERAL: On examination of about thirty prisoners of war I find the troops in front of General Hancock yesterday to have been as follows: Wilcox's division entire. Thomas' brigade, of Wilcox's division, has been exchanged for Anderson's brigade, of Field's division (said to be on account of some disagreement between Generals Field and Anderson). Kirkland's and Cooke's brigades, of Heth's division, and Sanders' and Mahone's brigades, of Mahone's division. The balance of two

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*See McEntee to Humphreys, second, post.

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Page 520 OPERATIONS IN SE. VA. AND N. C. Chapter LIV.