WAR DEPARTMENT, May 9, 1864-10 a.m. [Received 11.55 p.m.]

Major-General BUTLER:

Advices from the front give reason to believe that General Grant's operations will prove a great success and complete victory. On Saturday night the enemy had been driven at all points, and Hancock was pushing forward rapidly to Spotsylvania Court-House, where heavy firing was heard yesterday. It was reported yesterday by a deserter that the enemy's only hope was in heavy re-enforcements from Beauregard.

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

WAR DEPARTMENT, May 9, 1864-3.20 p.m.

Major-General BUTLER:

A bearer of dispatches from General Meade has just reached here by way of Fredericksburg; states that on Friday night Lee's army fell back, and yesterday were in full retreat for Richmond, Grant pursuing with his army. Hancock passed Spotsylvania Court-House before daylight yesterday morning. Meade's headquarters were yesterday at Todd's Tavern. We occupy Fredericksburg. The Twenty-second New York [Cavalry] occupied it about 8 o'clock last night.

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

WAR DEPARTMENT, May 9, 1864-4 p.m.

Major-General BUTLER:

A dispatch from General Grant has just been received. He is on the march with his whole army to form a junction with you, but had not determined his route. Another dispatch from him is being translated.

EDWIN M. STANTON.

[MAY 9, 1864.-For Butler to Stanton, see p.10.]

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, Washington, D. C., May 9, 1864-9.30 p.m.

Colonel BIGGS,
Chief Quartermaster, Fortress Monroe:

We need steam power to tow barges and schooners with supplies and horses. We have also about 2,000 to 3,000 men to send to re-enforce General Butler, among them a veteran regiment of artillery. Send steam tow-boats and also steamers to transport these men up James River. Do this immediately.

M. C. MEIGS,

Quartermaster-General.