none myself) that there was ny special necessity for this reconnaissance; but he is a careful and reliable officer, and will no doubt bring correct information.

JAS. W. SAVAGE,

Colonel Twelfth New York Volunteer Cavalry.

HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES,
May 17, 1864. (Received 3.45 p. m.)

Major-General HALLECK:

Cannot General Sigel go up Shenandoah Valley to Staunton? The enemy is evidently drawing supplies largely from that source, and if Sigel can destroy the road there, it will be of vast importance to us. The weather is still cloudy and threatening, as if the rain was not yet over.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General, U. S. Army.

SPOTSYLVANIA, May 17, 1864-8.45 a. m.

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

Chief of Staff:

Send all cavalry horses here to mount men who are without horses, I think it will be advisable to repair the railroad from Aquia Creek at once. Sheridan's dismounted men ought to return from James River by boat. I want him to get back here as soon as possible. If Sheridan has not started back he had better turn over all his weak artillery to Butler.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES,
May 17, 1864-6 p. m.

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

Chief of Staff:

I have ordered back to Belle Plain all the Reserve Artillery, over 100 pieces. This, I think, had better go back to Washington.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

WASHINGTON, May 17, 1864-11.30 p. m.

Lieutenant-General GRANT,

Near Spotsylvania, Va.:

Sheridan has anticipated your orders, and moves to-day on his return to the Army of the Potomac. All the horses we can collect will be put in the hands of veteran cavalrymen and sent to the Army of the Potomac. I have sent the substance of your dispatch to General Sigel. Instead of advancing on Staunton he is already in full retreat on Strasburg. If you except anything from his you will be mistaken. He will do nothing but run. He never did anything else. The Secretary of War proposes to put General Hunter in his