any civilian finds his way to Fredericksburg without the pass of this Department or other competent military authority, or to render assistance as nurses or to wounded relatives, it will be in violation of positive orders of this Department, and you are directed to send back such persons forthwith, without regard to individuals. A strict enforcement of this order will be required from you.

EDWIN M. STANTION,

Secretary of War.

HALF-WAY HOUSE, May 14, 1864- 8 a. m.

(Received 6.35 p. m.)

Hon EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

We are still before the line of the enemy's works at Drewry's Bluff, Fort Darling. The enemy are here in force. General Gillmore, by a flank movement with a portion, of his corps and a brigade of the Eighteenth Army Corps, assaulted and took the enemy's works on the right at dusk last evening. It was gallantly done. Troops behaved finely. We held our lines during the night, and shall move his morning again.

BENJ. F. BUTLER,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS,
Half-Way House, May 14, 1864-9.40 a. m.

(Received 8.30 p. m.)

Honorable EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

General Smith carried the enemy's first line on the right this morning at 8. a. m. Loss small. The enemy have retired into three square redoubts, upon which we are now bringing our artillery to bear with effect.

BENJ. F. BUTLER,

Major-General, Commanding.

WASHINGTON, May 14, 1864-8.45 p.m.

(Received 12.40 a. m. 15th.)

Major-General BUTLER:

Lieutenant-General Grant desires that you will have the Richmond and Danville Railroad, cut, if possible.

H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.

CHIEF QUARTERMASTER'S OFFICE,

TENTH AND EIGHTEENTH ARMY CORPS,

Bermuda Hundred, Va., May 14, 1864-11 p. m.

General B. F. BUTLER,

Commanding Dept. of Virginia and North Carolina:

GENERAL: Your note is just received. I have now but returned from General Sheridan's command. Two day's rations for 14,000 horses and men were at the dock at Haxall's Landing three hours