II. General Colston will report to me by courier as often as practicable.

III. He will with the troops left here and those of General Dearing make the best disposition in his power to guard the town, and will recall the Seventeenth Virginia as soon as practicable.

W. H. C. WHITING,

Major-General.

[MAY 15, 1864. - For Beauregard's circular to division commanders, containing instructions for battle on the morrow, see p. 200.]

HEADQUARTERS,
Petersburg, May 15, 1864.

The following will be the order of march: Will move in advance on the road west of Swift Creek to Newby's Bridge. There should be a party of mounted men scouting in advance. The regiments will move left in front, Miller's battery in the center. The wagon train will follow General Wise's brigade until General Martin's brigade brings up the rear. A section of General Martin's artillery will follow the wagon train. General Wise will send a guide to General Hill, to conduct General Martin from his present position to the nearest point of the Swift Creek road. The quartermasters are directed to attend to the march of the wagons. They will keep them well closed. On no account will any wagon be permitted to stop on the march to water without the orders of the major-general commanding. The same order is extended to the artillery. The column will be kept well closed, the regiments at the proper distance of 22 paces apart as in brigades [sic].

[W. H. C. WHITING,

Major-General.]

HEADQUARTERS,
Petersburg, May 15, 1864.

Memoranda for General Wise: First. Have your brigade in readiness to move with five days' rations and 60 rounds of ammunition per man. They must be across the river at 3 a. m. and follow the line of march of Martin's brigade and Colquitt's regiments, bringing up the rear of column. Second. Send order recalling General Dearing and order him to guard approaches to Petersburg until arrival of General Walker. Third. Assign General Colston to command and direct the distribution of the forces left about the city. Fourth. Order Sixty-fourth Georgia to report to General Hill immediately. Fifth. Send inclosed order to General Hill or Martin, whoever is present. Sixth. Order Miller's battery to be ready to move with your troops. Seventh. If you have any wagons of your brigade load them up with rations; no baggage. If any arrive during the day, the same. Eighth. Order of march will be sent this evening. Ninth. Provide good guides.

Very respectfully,

W. H. C. WHITING,

Major-General.