Today in History:

1056 Series I Volume XLII-III Serial 89 - Richmond-Fort Fisher Part III

Page 1056 OPERATIONS IN SE. VA. AND N. C. Chapter LIV.

The Enquirer says: "Some thirty-five vessels have appeared off New Inlet, below Wilmington, and among them are reorganized the Colorado and Wabash, and it is inferable that this point is the object of the great expedition which recently left Fort Monroe under Butler and Porter. An official report from General Bragg yesterday states that owing to the severe state of the weather, the enemy off New Inlet have been unable to make any demonstration. He states that he is fully able to hold the city of Wilmington."

E. O. C. ORD,

Major-General, Commanding.

Just received and respectfully forwarded.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.


HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
December 22, 1864-12 m.

Lieutenant-General GRANT:

Six deserters are reported as coming in yesterday. No information of any movement of the enemy has been obtained from them. Two men deserted from the Second Corps picket-line to the enemy last night. There is nothing else of any consequence to communicate from this army.

GEO. G. MEADE,

Major-General, Commanding.


HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
BUREAU OF INFORMATION,

December 22, 1864.

Major General G. G. MEADE, Commanding Army of the Potomac:

GENERAL: The following deserters from the enemy came in on General Miles' front this a.m.: Two from Twelfth Virginia Infantry, Weisiger's brigade, Mahone's division; one from Seventh Tennessee Infantry, Archer's brigade, Heth's division. No information of any changes or movements of troops; position of Hill's corps unchanged; Gordon's and Pegram's divisions near Burgess' Mill; nothing known of Rodes' division. The following deserters came in on the Ninth Corps front last evening: Six from Forty-sixth Virginia, Wise's brigade, Johnson's division; four from Fifty-ninth Virginia, Wise's brigade, Johnson's division. Report no change on Johnson's line.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JNumbers C. BABCOCK.


HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
BUREAU OF INFORMATION,

December 22, 1864.

Major General G. G. MEADE, Commanding Army of the Potomac:

GENERAL: Following telegram just received from City Point:

Information from Richmond this a.m. to the effect that Hoke's division is now moving by the Danville railroad. The last of it will be off to-morrow, and it is supposed it is bound for Wilmington. The report of Rodes's division having come from the Valley is confirmed. They may have gone south, if they are not in your front.

J. McENTEE,

Lieutenant-Colonel, &c.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JNumbers C. BABCOCK.


Page 1056 OPERATIONS IN SE. VA. AND N. C. Chapter LIV.