Andrew A. Humphreys to Ambrose E. Burnside, July 30, 1864

July 30, 1864—3.20 a. m. Major-General BURNSIDE: As it is still so dark, the commanding general says you can postpone firing the mine if you think proper. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General and Chief of Staff. Major-General HUMPHREYS: The mine will be fired at the time designated. My headquarters will be at the fourteen-gun battery. A. E. BURNSIDE, Major-General. Q. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac, July 30, 1864—4.15 a. m. Major-General BURNSIDE: Is there any difficulty in exploding the mine? It is three-quarters of an hour later than that fixed upon for exploding it. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General and Chief of Staff. R. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac, July 30, 1864. OPERATOR AT GENERAL BURNSIDE’S FIELD HEADQUARTERS: Is General Burnside at his headquarters? The commanding general is anxious to learn what is the cause of delay. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General and Chief of Staff. 8. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac, July 30, 1864—4.35 a. m. Major-General BURNSIDE: If the mine cannot be exploded something else must be done, and at once. The commanding general is awaiting to hear from you before determining. J A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General and Chief of Staff. TT, HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac, July 30, 1864—4.35 a.m. Major-General BURNSIDE, Commanding Ninth Corps: The commanding general directs that if your mine has failed that you make an assault at once, opening your batteries. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General and. Chief of Staff. U. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac, July 30, 1864—5.40 a. m. Major-General BURNSIDE: What news from your assaulting column? Please report frequently. GEO. G. MEADE, Major-General. V. BATTERY MORTON, July 30, 1864—5.40 a. m. General MEADE: We have the enemy’s first line and occupy the breach. I shall endeavor to push forward to the crest as rapidly as possible. A. E. BURNSIDE, Major-General. P. S.—There is a large fire in Petersburg. W. W. SANDERS, Captain, &e. W. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac, July 30, 1864—5.40 a.m. Major-General BURNSIDE, Commanding Ninth Corps: The commanding general learns that your troops are halting at the works where the mine exploded. He directs that all your troops be pushed forward to the crest at once. Call on General Ord to move forward his troops at once.

A. A. HUMPHREYS,