HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES,
In the Field, near Piney Branch Church, May 8, 1864-3 p.m.

Major-General BURNSIDE:

You will move forward to Chilesburg the moment you can get the trains started. If you can find another road in supporting distance of the one you have been directed to move on, and by which other troops have not been ordered to march, so as to double your train, you will do so.

By command of Lieutenant-General Grant:

JNO. A. RAWLINS,

Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS,
Alrich's, May [8], 1864-4.20 p.m.

Brigadier-General RAWLINS,

Chief of Staff:

General Burnside wishes to know whether a pontoon train has been ordered to report to him with engineers. He says he will follow the trains as quick as they can move. I shall start for headquarters in a little while, unless something turns up to keep me here.

Yours, &c.,

O. E. BABCOCK.

[Indorsement.]

Major-General BURNSIDE:

I have sent pontoon trains in the train you convoy, but you will not need one.

By command of Lieutenant-General Grant:

JNO. A. RAWLINS,

Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES, May 8, 1864-7.30 p.m.

Major-General BURNSIDE,
Commanding Ninth Army Corps:

GENERAL: Dispose of your command so as to most easily and effectually guard the trains in your convoy, and at the same time be in readiness, on receipt of orders, to send two divisions of infantry to help drive the enemy from Spotsylvania Court-House, where he appears to have made a stand in very considerable force.

By command of Lieutenant-General Grant:

JNO. A. RAWLINS,

Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS, May 8, 1864.

Major-General BURNSIDE,
Commanding Ninth Army Corps:

GENERAL: Our men have not taken Spotsylvania Court-House. The enemy seems quite strongly fortified there. The fight was quite severe this morning. The cavalry lost heavily. The reports are that Lee is sending his trains to Richmond.

Yours, very truly,

O. E. BABCOCK.