Edwin M. Stanton to Armies operating against Richmond, July 8, 1864

Nothing of much importance this morning. Firing pretty active in the trenches yesterday, but without consequence. Directions have been given to make regular siege approaches to the rebel lines. General Meade reports that Burnside’s mine will prove of no value. He thinks the best place to work at is the salient angle on the Jerusalem plank road in Warren’s front. This is the point which Barnard proposed -to assault, as I reported several days since. We had a trifling shower yesterday, without effect on the drought. Secretary of War. Ciry Point, V. A., July 8, 1864—1 p.m. (Received 5 p. m.) General Meade reports that a construction train went south from Petersburg this morning, and that the rebel working parties engaged in repairing the Weldon railroad are protected by detachments of cavalry and infantry. General Grant has ordered all of Sheridan’s cavalry that are in condition for the work to move out upon that road, supported by the entire Second Corps, and to destroy it thoroughly as far south as Hicksford. They are to move day after to-morrow night. We have the Richmond Examiner of the 7th and 8th, full of fury over Wilson’s raid. They complain that Richmond is running short of water owing to the drought. The fisheries have closed for the season, having produced almost nothing, because the Yankee gun-boats were in the way. The depot for prisoners of war at Andersonville, Ga., now contains 30,000, requiring 5,000 soldiers to guard them. All but the wounded have been sent there from Richmond. . Another depot has been established farther south, at some place not named. Hon. EDwIn M. STANTON, Secretary of War. City Point, V. A., July 9, 1864—9 p. m. (Received 2 p. m.) About 5 p. m. yesterday, after a heavy cannonade upon Smith and Burnside, a line of rebel infantry suddenly appeared along the crest of their parapets as if to advance upon our works. They fired a single volley,and received one from the men in our trenches, after which they fell back behind their breast-works. Our troops were all under cover, and we had no losses. The movement seems to have been for the purpose of ascertaining whether we were still there. The Richmond papers have of late abounded in reports that Grant was withdrawing his army. Weather hot; no rain.

Hon. EDWIN M. STANTON,