PART III.-VOL. XLII.

CORRESPONDENCE ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, FROM OCTOBER 1, 1864, TO DECEMBER 31, 1864.*

UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.

WAR DEPARTMENT, October 1, 1864-2 p. m.

Lieutenant General U. S. GRANT,

Commanding Armies of the United States, City Point:

The following has been received at the War Department from the Quartermaster-General:

QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL'S OFFICE, September 27, 1864.

Honorable EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

SIR: A large quantity of steam and other water transportation has been collected in the waters of the Chesapeake in order to be ready for any sudden general movement of troops. The expense is great, and I have therefore to ask whether, in view of the late successes in the Shenandoah Valley, it will be prudent to reduce this transportation to what may be necessary for current wants and supplies of the troops operating on the James River.

I am, &c.,

M. C. MEIGS,

Quartermaster-General.

The Secretary of War has directed me to refer this communication to you for your advice to the Department thereupon.

JAS. A. HARDIE,

Colonel, Inspector-General U. S. Army.

CITY POINT, October 1, 1864-10 a. m. (Received 6 p. m.)

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

Washington, D. C.:

The enemy assaulted General Butler's line north of the James River three times yesterday afternoon, and were repulsed each time, General Butler reports, with heavy loss. Late in the evening Potter's division, Ninth Corps, whilst moving to get to the left of Warren, near Poplar Spring Church, was vigorously assaulted by a superior force and driven back until re-enforced by Griffin's division, when the enemy were checked, General Meade thinks, with heavy loss. Potter lost from his

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*For Correspondence, etc., from August 1, 1864, to September 30, 1864, see Part II.

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