The artillery and trains will move by the same road, they followed when marching up. The pickets will remain until daylight, when they will be withdrawn under the direction of the senior officer.

An assault will be made on the enemy's position at 4 a. m.

By command of Major-General Wright:

M. T. MCMAHON,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS,
May 17, 1864-5.50 p. m.

Major-General BURNSIDE,

Commanding Ninth Corps:

GENERAL: I am ordered to move at dark, and I wish to know what time you can spare General Birney from your right, and whether you can send a guide with him down to Anderson's Mill on the other side of the Ny or not, or whether he had better march on this side of the Ny. If on this side, Captain Miller, my aide, will want to conduct him. General Birney's pickets remain on until they are relieved by your orders, in conjunction with your own. General Gibbon's pickets on General Birney's right will be withdrawn at dark nd will move this way.

I am, sire, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WINF'D S. HANCOCK,

Commanding Second Corps.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
May 17, 1864-6 p. m.

Major-General BURNSIDE:

If your Reserve Artillery has not yet started back, send it at once. The Reserve Artillery of the Army of the Potomac has been mostly distributed to divisions, and other artillery has been sent back in lieu of it.

By command of Lieutenant General U. S. Grant:

JNO. A. RAWLINS,

Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,
May 17, 1864-6.20 p. m.

General JOHN A. RAWLINS,

Chief of Staff:

My Reserve Artillery was ordered to accompany the Reserves Artillery of the Army of the Potomac back to Fredericksburg.

A. E. BURNSIDE,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES,
Near Spotsylvania, May 17, 1864.

Major-General BURNSIDE,

Commanding Ninth Army Corps:

GENERAL: If the division of re-enforcements under General Tyler arrive to-night as is expected, an attack will be made at 4 a. m. tomorrow

54 R R-VOL XXXVI, PT II