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within a shorter one, which I will attempt to effect to-night.
This I shall hold as long as practicable, but, without reinforcements, I may have to evacuate the city very shortly.
In that event I shall retire in the direction of Drury's Bluff, defending the crossing at
Appomattox River and
Swift Creek.
He also despatched three of his staff (
Chisolm,
Roman, and
Cooke) successively, at different hours of the day, evening, and night, the last of whom (
Major Cooke) reached
General Lee's headquarters at about 3 A. M., on the 18th, and, more fortunate than the two who had preceded him, was allowed to see
General Lee, and ‘accomplished, in part, his object in seeking him.’
1
Half an hour after
Major Cooke's arrival at Drury's Bluff the following telegram was sent from
General Lee's headquarters:
Drury's Bluff, June 18th, 1864:3.30 A. M.
Superintendent Richmond and Petersburg Railroad,
Richmond:
Can trains run to
Petersburg?
If so, send all cars available to
Rice's Turnout.
If they cannot run through, can any be sent from
Petersburg to the point where the road is broken?
It is important to get troops to
Petersburg without delay.
On the same day
General Lee transmitted the following telegram to
General Early:
Grant is in front of
Petersburg.
Will be opposed there.
Strike as quick as you can, and, if circumstances authorize, carry out the original plan, or move upon
Petersburg without delay.
Mr. Swinton, in his ‘Army of the Potomac,’ is, therefore, twice mistaken when he asserts (p. 506) that ‘during the night of the 15th the van of
Lee's army reached the town (
Petersburg), and men of a very different mettle from the crude soldiers to whom its defence had been intrusted silently deployed in line of battle.’
It must not be forgotten that, on and prior to the 15th,
General Beauregard had been earnestly calling for reinforcements, including his own troops sent to
General Lee; but that none
