I will order Hoke's division to hold itself ready to move at a moment's notice.

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

[Repeated by Bragg to Lee, 12.15 p. m., May 30.]

[36.]

HANCOCK'S HOUSE, May 30, 1864--11.25 a. m.

General BRAXTON BRAGG:

Captain Lane, commanding picket-posts toward lower Appomattox and City Point, reports enemy evacuating Broadway or at least withdrawing from there great body of this troops over pontoon bridge on Appomattox.

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

[36.]

HANCOCK'S HOUSE, May 30, 1864--5 p. m.

General BRAXTON BRAGG,

Commanding General:

Lieutenant Woodley, Signal Corps, reports from Fort Boykin several transports went down last night; and more to-day, heavily loaded with troops, are coming down as far as he can see. I have ordered a demonstration made to ascertain position of enemy's forces in our front.

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

[36.]

HANCOCK'S HOUSE, May 30, 1864--11.45 p. m.

General B. BRAGG:

Dispatch 11.30 received. The division is now moving by shortest route to Chester Station to take the cars. Please order the cars to that point, as it will greatly accelerate the move. Have ordered my force to that point to aid in the shipment of the troops. Artillery moves by highway.

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

[36.]

CONFEDERATE STATES IRON-CLAD VIRGINIA,

FLAG-SHIP JAMES RIVER SQUADRON,

Off Chaffin's Bluff, May 30, 1864.

General G. T. BEAUREGARD,

Commanding Department North Carolina and Southern Virginia:

GENERAL: On the receipt about 1 a. m. on the 29th of your telegraphic dispatch of the 28th instant, informing me that it was impossible for you to state when your river battery would be ready, and advising me not to await its completion to open against the enemy's fleet, that further delay may be fatal to my attack and to your operations, supposing, from the tenor of the dispatch, that there was some pressing necessity for an immediate attack upon the enemy, I immediately moved my forces for the purpose of proceeding at once to Howlett's, to operate, as I then informed you in reply to your telegram, "against the