Benjamnin F. Butler, Butler's Book: Autobiography and Personal Reminiscences of Major-General Benjamin Butler

[1078] I was informed that he was personally engaged in a reconnoissance of the enemy's position. I at once started in the direction which I was told he had taken, and finally found him on, or a trifle beyond his picket line.

I there delivered to him your messages of surprise at his non-action, your desire to be informed of the causes, and your order for an assault. General Smith replied that the delay had been first occasioned by reason of the engagement he had with the enemy in the morning some miles from his then position, and since his arrival before Petersburg he had been engaged in a personal reconnoissance of the enemy's position; that his reconnoissance was then completed, and that he should shortly direct the assault ordered.

I reported back to you about 7 P. M., stating in detail what I had seen and done, and General Smith's replies to your inquiries and order, all which are here set forth in condensed form only. I further reported that I had carefully observed the enemy's line with an eye to the forces which were probably confronting us, and that everything seen and unseen indicated that the information in your possession as to their strength — about two thousand men — was correct. I further reported that on my return ride from General Smith to you, I had run into and passed a portion of General Hancock's corps of General Meade's army (I believed it to be Birney's division) at about half-past 5, some four miles from General Smith's position, and that they were marching to join him.

About 8.30 P. M. an aid to General Smith reported to you that at half-past 7 Smith's forces had carried the line of defence near Jordan's, and were moving toward the Appomattox Soon after this you sent for me and expressing your anxiety lest General Smith should allow nightfall to close his operations for the day, you directed me to again visit Smith, and convey to him your command that there should be no cessation of his movements, but a continued renewal of his assaults; that Petersburg could be taken that night, and should be, and he must put himself and his troops south of the Appomattox.

Returning to General Smith I found him in conversation with General Hancock near the latter's headquarters. Seeing me ride up and dismount, General Smith drew aside, and I delivered to him your commands. He replied that he had “determined to make no further attack that night.” I expressed to him my regret at receiving such a reply; said to him that you knew there had been no reinforcements received by General Beauregard from Lee's army; that while the enemy's strength might have been added to somewhat, it could only have been increased either from being drawn from the Bermuda front, or from the forces then on the north side of the James — the lines before Richmond; that with his own and Hancock's command, two divisions of which, he informed me, were up, he must have all of thirty thousand men; that I knew both General Grant and yourself expected Petersburg to be taken that night, and urged him to change his determination not to continue the movement, and to at once comply with your command.

His only response was “General Hancock's arrival has left me the junior officer.” With this remark he turned away. General Hancock