formed. If General Ames' brigade is sufficient to freshen the line I shall be obliged to take it for a portion of the assaulting column, to avoid the delay in changing my lines.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

WM. F. SMITH,

Major-General, Commanding.

MAY 14, 1864,

Brigadier-General WEITZEL:

The general commanding desires you to select a brigade you to select a brigade from your command to form, with two of General Brooks' regiments, an assaulting, column, the men to have their coffee and their cartridgeboxes read to move at 5 a. m. to-morrow.

Respectfully, &c.,

N. BOWEN,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

MAY 14, 1864.

Captain ELDER,

Acting Chief of Artillery:

The general commanding desires you to have all of the batteries imposition by daylight to-morrow, where they were posted this p. m., reserving one battery of 12-pounder guns, one battery of rifled pieces, and your own section of horse artillery, which will be further orders.

Respectfully, &c.,

N. BOWEN,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD CAVALRY DIVISION,
Malvern Hill, Va., May 14, 1864.

Major General W. F. SMITH:

MY DEAR GENERAL: We are here after many adventures. Can't tell'em now. Grant has fought some most stubborn battles, holding his own, gaining ground slowly, but not annihilating Lee. If he calls out the reserve at Washington, all right yet. What have you done? Please tell me. Push along, send us something to eat, and get us to south side of James, so that we can get into a region where can support ourselves. Can't you send me something to eat? Is Bowen with you? I have your last letter with me and want to discuss it with you. I know of nothing more critical or sensible than it. Hope to see you soon. Love to Bowen and godspeed to all.

Devotedly,

J. H. WILSON.

PORTSMOUTH, VA., MAY 14, 1864.

General W. F. SMITH:

DEARTH GENERAL: I wrote to you a few days since, but presume that you are too busy to reply. Being buried here, I have more time than