Gouverneur K. Warren to George G. Meade, July 30, 1864

July 30, 1864—8 a. m. General MEADE: General Turner, in my front, reports that the only place I can get out of the line is opposite the crater. It is already full of men who cannot develop. I shall put in my column as soon as I can. It is impossible, by reason of the topography, to charge in the manner you indicate. il must go in by head of column and develop to the right. This is reply to orders from General Meade to push for crest of hill regardless of General Burnside’s troops. General Ames makes similar reports. E. O. C. ORD, Major-General. 234. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac, July 30, 1864—9.45 a. m. Major-General ORD, Commanding Eighteenth Corps: The major-general commanding directs that you withdraw your corps to the rear of the Ninth Corps in some secure place. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General and Chief of Staff. 24, HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac, July 30, 1864—10 a. m. Major-Generals BURNSIDE and ORD: You can exercise your discretion in withdrawing your troops now or at a later period, say to-night. It is not intended to hold the enemy’s line which you now occupy any longer than is required to withdraw safely your men. GEO. G. MEADE, Major-General. 25. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac, July 30, 1864—4.40 a. m. Major-General WARREN, Commanding Fifth Corps: General Burnside is directed if his mine has failed to open all his batteries and assault. Upon hearing his batteries open you will open all in your front. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General and Chief of Staff. 26. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac, July 30, 1864—5.50 a. m. Major-General WARREN, Commanding Fifth Corps: General Burnside is occupying the crater with some of his troops. He reports that no enemy is seen in their line. How is it in your front? Are the enemy in force there or weak? If there is apparently: an opportunity to carry their works take advantage of it and push forward your troops. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General and Chief of Staff. 27. FIFTH ARMY CORPS, July 30, 1864—6 a. m. Major-General HUMPHREYS: Your dispatch just received. It is difficult to say how strong the enemy may be in my front. He has batteries along the whole of it. I will watch for the first opportunity. I can see the whole line well where lam. The enemy has been running from his first line in front of General Burnside’s right for some minutes, but [there] seems to be a very heavy line of troops just behind it in high breast-works. There is a battery in front of General Burnside’s left, which fires toward the river the same as it did on the 18th of June, and which our artillery fire has but very little effect on.

G. K. WARREN,