and hope to make it stronger than the first. The only objection to it is its proximity to city. No satisfactory information yet received of Grant's crossing James River.* Hancock's and Smith's corps are however in our front.

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

[40.]

HEADQUARTERS LONGSTREET'S CORPS,
June 16, 1864-12.30 p. m.

[General R. E. LEE:]

GENERAL: I have found the enemy on the turnpike a little below the point at which the road to Clay's and Ware Bottom Church diverges, and am now driving his skirmishers back. It is to be presumed that he has possession of our breast-works opposite Bermuda Hundred. I have not been able to communicate with our troops near Petersburg. if I find difficulty in clearing the road it will be impracticable for General Pickett to reach Petersburg.

I am, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,

R. H. ANDERSON,

Lieutenant-General.

[40.]

PETERSBURG, June 17, 1864-9 a. m.

General R. E. LEE:

Enemy has two corps in my front, with advantage of position. Impossible to recover with my means part of lines lost. Present lines entirely too long for my available forces. I will be compelled to adopt shorter lines. Could I not be sufficiently re-enforced to take the offensive [and] thus get rid of the enemy here? Nothing positive yet know of Grant's movements.+

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

[40.]

HEADQUARTERS,
In Field, June 17, 1864.

General R. E. LEE:

The enemy carried this morning another of the weak points in the old lines. He appears to be concentrating toward our right center for another attack. I am collecting all available troops to resist until night, when I hope to be able to occupy new lines. We greatly need re-enforcements to resist such large odds against us. The enemy must be dislodged or the city will fall.

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

[40.]

PETERSBURG, June 17, 1864-11.15 a. m.

General R. E. LEE:

Prisoners state that Fifth Corps (Warren's) left White House seven days since. They don't know where destined. Has it not gone to

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*See Lee to Beauregard, 4 p. m., VOL. XL, Part II, p. 659.

+This in reply to Lee, 6 a. m., ibid., p. 664. For reply to this, see 12 m., ibid., p. 664.

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