HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
August 15, 1864-12.36 a. m.

Major General C. W. FIELD,

Chaffin's Bluff:

Your telegram of 9 p. m. received. Two brigades of infantry and W. H. F. Lee's division of cavalry are on their way to you. The infantry left by rail at 7.30 and 9.30 p. m. The cavalry will move right on. Send an officer to meet it with instructions to General W. H. F. Lee where he is most required. Hampton is moving down from other side.

W. H. TAYLOR,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

Keep Richmond advised of movements of enemy's cavalry.

W. H. T.

CHAFFIN'S FLUFF, August 16, 1864-10.35 a. m.

President DAVIS:

General Field, on the Darbytown road, reports that General Lee's pickets at the swamp have been driven back, and that the enemy in heavy force are advancing up the Charles City road and are nearly at White's Tavern. Enemy is in rear of Field's force, and it will be thrown over on the left to attack enemy in flank. I recommend the works at Richmond to be manned. If Hampton's force is accessible, please order it at once down Charles City road.

R. E. LEE.

[Indorsement.]

General G. W. C. LEE:

To man the works as advised, haves the local defense troops called out and notify General Pemberton so that he may gives the needful orders in regard to the artillery of the Richmond defenses.

JEFF' DAVIS.

RICHMOND, August 16, 1864.

General. R. E. LEE,

Chaffin's Bluff:

Your dispatch of this day received. General G. W. C. Lee will put his brigade in the city defenses, and General Pemberton will make the needful disposition of the artillery along the same lines. General Hampton's division passed down the Charles City road this morning.

JEFF'S DAVIS.

CHAFFIN'S BLUFF, August 16, 1864-4 p. m.

SECRETARY OF WAR:

The enemy has made a determined attack on our line between the Darbytown and Charles City roads. At one time he broke through, but was repulsed, and we now occupy our original positions.

R. E. LEE.