Danl. Butterfield to Major-General PEcx, May 2, 1863

May 2, 1863—8.15 p. m. Major-General PEcx, Suffolk, Va.: Our latest and most reliable information from Richmond is as follows. Am inclined to the belief that this will prove true: Our friend just returned. The works around Richmond are most formidable at Meadow Bridge and Mechanicsville road. They are intended for field artillery. No guns in position, At Richmond are the City Battalion and some artillery. Twentyseven hundred rations issued to troops in Richmond in active service. General Wise has 5,000 on the Peninsula. Longstreet has three divisions at Suffolk. When they left Lee, they were each 8,000 strong. Their effective force, all told, not over 15,000 men. D. H. Hill is ordered from Washington [N. C.,] to re-enforce Longstreet’s corps. He may, however, take Longstreet’s place at Suffolk, and Lee may be ree enforced by Longstreet.

DANL. BUTTERFIELD,