OR XL P1 #293: Reports of General Robert E. Lee, commanding ANV, June 16-July 30, 1864

Numbers 293. Reports of General Robert E. Lee, C. S. Army, commanding Army of Northern Virginia.¹

DREWRY’S BLUFF, June 16, 1864-9.40 a.m.

Just arrived at this point with Pickett’s division. Have informed General Beauregard. Direct to me here..

R. E. LEE.

General B. BRAGG.

Richmond.
HEADQUARTERS,
Clay’s House, June 17, 1864-10.30 a.m.

At 11 o’clock last night took breast-works at Howlett’s house. Other portions of same line were retaken. Pickett’s division now occupies trenches from Howlett’s to front of Clay’s. Field’s division is no the right, but I believe whole of front line not occupied. Battery at Howlett’s is being re-established. Saw five vessels sunk by enemy in Trent’s Reach. Behind lie the monitors; counted ten steamers within the reach. Enemy made two attacks last night on Beauregard, but were repulsed, with loss-400 prisoners, including, 11 commissioned officers captured. He has not entirely recovered his original position. Some fighting has occurred there this morning without result. Have ordered railroad at Port Walthall, destroyed by enemy yesterday, to be repaired and reopened.

R. E. LEE.

General

His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS.

Richmond, Va.

CLAY’S HOUSE, June 17, 1864-5 p.m.

At 4 p.m. assaulted that portion of our front line held by enemy and drove him from it. We again have the entire line from Howlett’s to Dunn’s Hill.

R. E. LEE.

General.

His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS.

Richmond, Va.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA.

June 22, 1864.

SIR: Since Friday last there has been skirmishing along the lines in front of Bermuda Hundred and around Petersburg. The Federal army appears to be concentrated at these two places and is strongly intrenched. Yesterday a movement of infantry, cavalry, and artillery was made toward the right of our forces at Petersburg in the direction of the Weldon railroad. The enemy was driven back and his infantry is reported to have halted. His cavalry have continued to advance upon the road by

a route farther removed from our position. The enemy’s infantry was attacked this afternoon on the west side of the Jerusalem plank road and driven from his first line of works to his second on that road by General Mahone with a part of his division. About 1,600 prisoners 4 pieces of artillery, 8 stand of colors, and a large number of small-arms were captured.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. E. LEE.

General.

Honorable JAMES A. SEDDON.

Secretary of War, Richmond, Va.

PETERSBURG, June 22, 1864-2 p.m.

From all I can learn the enemy’s cavalry (Wilson’s, Spear’s and Kautz’s) are moving through Dinwiddie inquiring the road to Burkeville and the High Bridge on the South Side Railroad. They are followed by one brigade from this army. Let General Kemper collect what reserves he can at the threatened points at once.

R. E. LEE.

General B. BRAGG.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA.

June 24, 1864-9 p.m.

SIR: Yesterday the enemy made a demonstration with infantry upon the Weldon railroad, but before he had done much damage was driven back by General Mahone with a portion of his command. About 600 prisoners and 28 commissioned officers were taken, most of whom were captured by Perry’s (Florida) brigade. This morning the enemy was felt on both flanks, and a part of one of General Hoke’s brigades entered his works. Not being supported they were unable to hold the position, and retired with few casualties but losing the advance line, which had succeeded in entering the enemy’s intrenchments. A small number of prisoners was taken, but the enemy’s loss is supposed to have been slight.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. E. LEE.

General.

Honorable SECRETARY OF WAR.

Richmond, Va.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA.

June 25, 1864-9 p.m.

SIR: Our entire loss yesterday morning was 97 killed and wounded and 209 missing. Nothing of moment has occurred to-day on the lines in front of Bermuda Hundred and around Petersburg. General Hampton reports that the enemy’s cavalry advanced to Nance’s Shop and intrenched themselves there. He attacked them and drove them from their works, pursuing them until 9 p.m. to within two miles

of Charles City Court-House. They left their dead and wounded on the field and along the route. Great credit is due to General Hampton and his command for their handsome success.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. E. LEE,

General.

Honorable SECRETARY OF WAR,

Richmond, Va.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, June 25, 1864.

SIR: General W. H. F. Lee pursued the enemy’s cavalry which advanced along the South Side Railroad. He had a skirmish on the 22nd near Dinwiddie Court-House, and the next day struck their column in flank near Blacks and Whites, cutting in two and getting possession of the road by which they were moving toward Nottoway Court-House. The road was held after an engagement which continued from 12 m. until dark, the enemy making repeated attempts to break through and rejoin his advance. He withdrew from General Lee’s front and daylight on the 24th, leaving his dead and wounded on the field, taking the road to Hungarytown and Keysville. General Lee is still following them.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. E. LEE,

General.

Honorable SECRETARY OF WAR,

Richmond, Va.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, June 26, 1864.

SIR: The enemy has been quiet to-day in our front. A dispatch dated 25th was received this morning from Captain Farinholt, commanding at Staunton River bridge, expressing his confidence of being able to protect it. This afternoon General W. H. F. Lee reports that he attacked the enemy near Staunton River bridge yesterday afternoon and drove him until dark. He also states that the enemy was signally repulsed at the bridge the same evening and retreated this morning, leaving about thirty of his dead on the field.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. E. LEE,

General.

Honorable SECRETARY OF WAR,

Richmond, Va.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, June 28, 1864.

SIR: The enemy has been engaged to-day apparently in strengthening his lines in front of Petersburg, advancing them at some points. His cavalry, after being repulsed at Staunton River bridge on the afternoon of the 25th, retired in the direction of Christianville, where they encamped that night. The next morning they continued their march

toward Lawrenceville by way of Brentsville, and a part of them encamped last night about eight miles northwest of the former place. They appear to be making their way back to the main body of the army.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. E. LEE,

General.

Honorable SECRETARY OF WAR,

Richmond.

DUNN’S HILL, NEAR PETERSBURG, June 29, 1864-8.30 p. m.

SIR: General Hampton reports that he attacked the enemy’s cavalry yesterday afternoon on their return from Staunton River bridge this side of Sappony Church, and drove them beyond that point. The fight continued during the night, and at daylight this morning he turned their left and routed them. When they reached Reams’ Station they were confronted by a portion of Mahone’s division, who attacked them in front, while their left flank was turned by General Fitz. Lee’s cavalry. The enemy was completely routed and several pieces of artillery, with a number of prisoners, wagons, ambulances, &c., captured. The cavalry are in pursuit.

R. E. LEE.

Honorable JAMES A. SEDDON,

Secretary of War.
HEADQUARTERS, Near Petersburg, July 1, 1864.

General Beauregard reports a feeble demonstration made by enemy on a portion of General Johnson’s lines about 5 p. m. yesterday. His skirmishers, supported by two lines of troops, drove in our skirmishers, which were re-established at dark. In the various conflicts with the enemy’s cavalry in their late expedition against the railroads, besides their killed and wounded left on the field, over 1,000 prisoners, 13 pieces of artillery, 30 wagons and ambulances, many small-arms, horses, ordnance stores, and several hundred negroes taken from the plantations on their route were captured.

R. E. LEE,
General.

Honorable J. A. SEDDON,

Secretary of War.

DUNN’S HILL, July 30, 1864-3.25 p. m.

At 5 a. m. the enemy sprung a mine under one of the salients on General B. R. Johnson’s front and opened his batteries upon our lines and the city of Petersburg. In the confusion caused by the explosion of the mine he got possession of the salient. We have retaken the salient and driven the enemy back to his lines with loss.

R. E. LEE.

Honorable JAMES A. SEDDON,

Secretary of War.

HEADQUARTERS, Near Petersburg, July 30, 1864-6.30 p. m.

General A. P. Hill reports that General Mahone in retaking the salient possessed by the enemy this morning recovered the four guns with which it was armed, captured 12 stand of colors, 74 officers, including Brigadier-General Bartlett and staff, and 855 enlisted men. Upward of 500 of the enemy’s dead are lying unburied in the trenches. His loss slight.

R. E. LEE.

Honorable JAMES A. SEDDON, Secretary of War.
HEADQUARTERS, Near Petersburg, August 1, 1864.

There was a cessation of hostilities this morning from 6 to 10 a. m. at the request of the enemy for the purpose of caring for the dead and wounded. Seven hundred of the enemy’s dead were buried or turned over to him for burial; 20 stand of colors instead of 12, as reported, were captured on the 30th.

R. E. LEE.

Honorable J. A. SEDDON, Secretary of War.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, August 13, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor to forward three stand of colors captured by a part of General B. R. Johnson’s division in the attack of the enemy upon our works around Petersburg on the 30th of July.

With great respect, your obedient servant,
R. E. LEE,

General.

Honorable SECRETARY OF WAR, Richmond, Va.

[Indorsement.]

AUGUST 14, 1864.

ADJUTANT-GENERAL:

Receive and let suitable acknowledgment be made. Let me see it.

J. A. S[EDDON],

Secretary.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, August 13, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor to forward by the hands of Actg. Asst. Adjt. General B. H. Nash, of Mahone’s brigade, 17 stand of colors and 2 guidons captured by a portion of General Mahone’s division in the attack of the enemy upon the works around Petersburg on the 30th of July. The accompanying report of Major-General Mahone contains the names of the captors, to which the attention of the Department is respectfully invited.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. E. LEE,

General.

Honorable SECRETARY OF WAR, Richmond.

[Indorsement.]

AUGUST 20, 1864.

ADJUTANT-GENERAL:

Let appropriate acknowledgment be made to the gallant general and his brave troops. Let the names of the captors be noted on the Roll of Honor and published.

J. A. S[EDDON.]

[Inclosure.]

SUMMARY.

Mahone’s Brigade:

6th Virginia Regiment ……………………………… 1

16th Virginia Regiment …………………………….. 7

41st Virginia Regiment …………………………….. 2

61st Virginia Regiment …………………………….. 5

Sanders’ Brigade:

8th Alabama Regiment ………………………………. 1

9th Alabama Regiment ………………………………. 1

11th Alabama Regiment ……………………………… 1

Wright’s Brigade:

3rd Georgia Regiment ……………………………….. 1

—-

Entire number …………………………………….. 19

WM. MAHONE,

Major-General, &c.

ADDENDA.
HDQRS. DEPT. OF N. CAROLINA AND SOUTHERN VA., August 1, 1864.

COLONEL: I have the honor to transmit herewith three stand of colors captured from the enemy in the action of the 30th instant [ultimo] by the following-named soldiers of this command: Patrick Sweeney, Company A, Fifty-ninth Virginia Volunteers, one stand; Henry Moore, Company A, Fifty-ninth Virginia Volunteers, one stand; J. W. Connelly, Company F, Twenty-second South Carolina Volunteers, one stand.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. T. BEAUREGARD,

General.

Colonel W. H. TAYLOR,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Army of Northern Virginia.

[Indorsement.]
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, August 20, 1864.

Respectfully forwarded in connection with letter of 13th of August forwarding the colors mentioned within.

For General R. E. Lee:

W. H. TAYLOR,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

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