Edwin M. Stanton to George Washington, July 1, 1864

July 1, 1864—5.30 p. m. (Received 8.10 a. m. 2d.) One of General Meade’s scouts is just in, who left Wilson’s command this morning at 7 o’clock on the road from Suffolk to Prince George Court-House, Wilson having yesterday succeeded in crossing the Blackwater. The scout thinks he has most of his men with him, although he was obliged to abandon all property, and many of his men are dismounted. He will be in by night. Hon. EDwWiIn M. STANTON, Secretary of War. City PoInt, July 1, 1864—7.30 p.m. . (Received 9.20 a. m. 2d.) Two of Wilson’s officers have just come in to report. He reached the James River about six miles above Powhatan at 5 o’clock. Men and horses are badly jaded, but the losses seem to be much less than we had supposed. He has with him also two of Kautz’s regiments which that officer considered lost. From present appearances the total casualties of the expedition will not exceed 750, including killed wounded, and missing. Of the property nothing fell into the hands of the enemy except part of the artillery and the ambulances, which were full of men, wounded in the previous fighting. The wagons were all destroyed. When the column was attacked it had picked up in the country about 5,000 horses, but most of these were unable to stand the hard march by night and day and were lost before the escape was complete. Very many of the contrabands came safely off with the column. No particulars are yet reported, but this raid seems to have surpassed all others, except Hunter’s, in the damage inflicted on the enemy.

Hon. E. M. STANTON,