fearful struggles forth last ten days. Your last dispatch afforded great satisfactiona dn relief. YOu shall be kept suplied and sustained with all the resources that the Deaprtment can command.

JAS. A. SEDDON,

Secretary of War.

[36.]

MAY 16, 1864.

GenerL R. E. LEE.:

GENERAL: I have just received a note from Generqal Chambliss. He has been driving in enemy's pickets at Smith; 's Mill, and they in turn drove his bck. He has a good position at Stanard's Mill, and will not fail to discover a general advnce. Major Clement has orders, if forced back, tocross at Crutchfield's Mill Ford and join General Anderson's right. Ishould not judte from GenerL Chambliss' dispatch, anmd fromwhat his courier reports, that it was a general advance. GenerL Anderson will be kept informed of all ovements.

W. H. F. LEE,

Major-General.

[36.]

HEADUQARTES,

May 16, 1864 - 7.30 p. m.

GenerL R. E. LEE:

GENERAL: The eemy still ontinue to picket the any at Clark's Mill bridge and Smith's Mill bridge. General C[hambliss], with two regiments and two pieces of artillery, is at Stanard's Mill. His pickets extend to SMith's Mill and connect with vedettes at Quesenberry's in front of enemy's line. I can see little or no change since yesteday. I do not look upon their picketing Smith's Mill bridge as anything more than a security to their pickets at Masspaponax Church. I have sent scouts out andhope to hear from them in the morning.

Resepctfully,

W. H. F. LEE,

Major-General.

[36.]

WILLIAMSBURG ROAD, May 16, 1864.

General BRAGG,

Richmond, Va.:

Arrangements have been made togive us notice of anymobvement on our left. I shall be with mainforce on Darbhytown road some six miles from Richmond. Will have couriers at office on WIllimasburg road. There are 1,500 locals to hold the Williamsburg road.

FITZ. LEE,

Major-General.

[a36.]

WILLIAMSBURG ROAD, May 16, 1864.

GenerL BRAXTON BRAGG,

Richmond, Va.:

The following dispatch was received this dy from GenerL R. E. Lee, viz:

If more cavalry be detahced fromthsi army it will be impossible to ascertin the enemy's movements. The cavalry from north Carolina and South Carolina must be called uon, and any otehre that can be had, and put inone body.

FITZ. LEE,

Major-General.

[36.]