IV. Where changes of commanders are made without a corresponding change of command the personal staff of the general officers will accompany them.

The officers of the general staff will remain with their proper commands.

By command of General R. E. Lee:

W. H. TAYLOR,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS,
Petersburg, Va., May 8, 1864.

Brigadier General B. R. JOHNSON,

Commanding, Swift Creek:

GENERAL: I am instructed by the major-general commanding to say that he has written to General Hill ordering the whole line forward to occupy the ground of yesterday, leaving, of course, enough force to cover Swirf Creek from a movement of the enemy on it. You had better move at once. Keep up a communication with Barton, but continue to report here.

I am general, with much respect, your obedient servant,

C. PICKETT,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

Memorandum field return of troops at Swift Creek.

Effective Total Aggregate

total. present. present.

General and staff --- --- 5

Johnson's brigade 852 1,059 1,168

Hagood's brigade 2,179 2,248 2,370

51st North Carolina 683 727 773

Regiment

Hankins' battery --- --- ---

Humes' [?] battery --- --- ---

Total present --- --- 4,316

These were the only forces under command of General Johnson when the report was called for on the 7th. Orders have been sent to the other commands to forward reports, and they will be forwarded as soon as received.

R. E. FOOTE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

MAY 8, 1864.

MAY 8, 1864.

Major T. O. CHESTNEY,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Richmond:

Two dispatches just received. Shingler's report forwarded you at 1.20 p.m. Ordered him to press on; report present position of enemy. Engineers say will try to have passage open by dark to-morrow.

S. M. BARTON,

Brigadier-General.