burg. Labor diligently to make all safe at City Point, and go yourself at once to Fort Powhatan to give personal supervision to the work neglected by Colonel Stafford.

B. F. BUTTLER,

Major-General, Commanding.

MAY 9, 1864-10 p.m.

General BUTLER:

I have returned to City Point with the column. I am quite ill.

HINKS,

General.

[Memorandum by Signal Operator.]

MAY 9, 1864.

Accompanied General Hinks on a reconnaissance toward Petersburg, in order to communicate with General Graham, commanding army gun-boats on the Appomattox, and if possible with Major-General Smith, on the left bank of the river. General Smith's forces were not in sight at any time during the day. When the army boats had passed Point of Rocks the rebels opened fire from a battery called Fort Clifton.

FORT MONROE, May 9, 1864.

Brigadier-General SHEPLEY:

Have the Twenty-first Connecticut at once prepared to go to the front. Will send transportation.

By command of Major-General Butler:

HENRY T. SCHROEDER,

Lieutenant and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS EXTERIOR LINE OF DEFENSES, Fort Magruder, May 9, 1864.

Major R. S. DAVIS,
Asst. Adjt. General, Dept. of Virginia and North Carolina:

I have the honor to report that I have assumed command of this place. I wish to be informed whether the post of Yorktown is included in my command.

JOS. B. CARR,

Brigadier-General of Volunteers.

FORT MONROE, May 9, 1864. [Received 6.10 p.m.]

Major R. S. DAVIS,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Bermuda Hundred:

Attack on New Berne. After two days' fighting the enemy retired. Captain Smith, U. S. Navy, attacked the ram and drove her up Roanoke River. Were unable to sink her or roll her over.

HENRY T. SCHROEDER,

Lieutenant and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.