HEADQUARTERS SECOND CORPS,
May 6, 1864-6.20 a.m.

Major-General MEADE,

Headquarters Army of the Potomac:

GENERAL: The left of our assault has struck Longstreet; 2 prisoners just in; sharp musketry. Longstreet is filing to the south of the plank road-our left; how far not yet developed. Gibbon and Barlow hold our left in reserve. Gibbon is just notified of Longstreet's presence by General Hancock. Our second line has advanced.

T. LYMAN,

Lieutenant Colonel, Volunteer Aide-de-Camp.

Hancock's dispatch inclosed.* Our advance is over 2 miles out. General Birney has taken one line of pits and several colors.

MAY 6, 1864-6.30 a.m.

Major-General MEADE,

Headquarters Army of the Potomac:

GENERAL: General Hancock requests that Burnside may go in as soon as possible. As General Birney reports we about hold our own against Longstreet, and many regiments are tired and shattered.

T. LYMAN,

Lieutenant-Colonel Volunteer Aide-de-Camp.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
Old Wilderness Tavern, May 6, 1864-7 a.m.

Major-General HANCOCK,

Commanding Second Corps:

Your dispatch is received informing the major-general commanding of the presence of Longstreet's force. I am directed to say that the only reserve force of the army (one division of the Ninth Corps) is here, and will be ordered to your support, should it become absolutely necessary. Call for it, therefore, only in case of the last necessity.

A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.

HDQRS. SECOND CORPS, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
May 6, 1864-7.10 a.m.

General HUMPHREYS:

Your dispatch just received, informing me that I can have a division from Burnside in case of absolute necessity. They are pressing us on the road a good deal. If more force were here now I could use it; but I don't know whether I can get it in time or not. I am filling up the boxes of the men who are returning, and re-establishing my lines, closing up with right. Barlow is putting in a brigade

---------------

*Ante, 5.40 a.m.

---------------