J. Higgins to Epwin M. Stanton, May 10, 1864

(Received 1.45 p. m.) Hon. Epwin M. STANTON, Secretary of War:

There are from 8,000 to 10,000 men on a strike in this city. The. police have notified me that their entire force is engaged in maintaining order, and the mayor has requested me to suspend the draft for a few days. I have taken the responsibility of doing so in the city district ; it is going on in the country districts. The deficiency in this city is nearly 1,000. I send copy of mayor’s communication

by mail. JOHN A. DIX, Major-General.

WarR DEPARTMENT, May 11, 1864—11.20 a. m. Major-General Dix, New York:

Dispatches from the Army of the Potomac have just reached here bringing dates to 5 o’clock p. m. of yesterday. Both armies at that time held their positions at Spotsylvania Court-House without any material change. The enemy had been driven to their breast-works. The Sixth Corps, under General Wright, had carried the first line of the enemy’s rifle-pits. There had been heavy skirmishing during theday. Our wounded had reached Fredericksburg, and during the night some were brought up to Washington. The surgeon-general reports that ample supplies of nurses, surgeons, and medical stores have gone forward. There has been nothing heard from General Sherman or General Butler since my last dispatch of yesterday.

EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.

War DEPARTMENT, May 11, 1864—8 p. m. Major-General Dix, New York: No intelligence has been received by this Department from the Army of the Potomac since my dispatch of this morning. A dispatch from General Sherman dated at Tunnel Hill, 7.30 p. m., states that McPherson had not attacked the enemy at Resaca, having found their position strongly fortified, and taken his position at Snake Creek Gap; General Sherman in front of Buzzard Roost Gap awaiting the arrival of a part of his forces. This dispatch came by way of Knoxville and Cumberland Gap, having been delayed over twentyfour hours in consequence of a heavy storm that broke down all the lines south of Nashville. No intelligence has been received to-day from General Butler’s command, except that 300 rebel prisoners, including one negro, had arrived at Fort Monroe from City Point in charge of a negro guard. From General Banks’ command nothing

of recent date has been received. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. Wak DEPARTMENT,

May 11, 1864—11.30 p. m. Major-General Dix, New York:

Dispatches from General Grant, dated at 8 o’clock this morning, have just reached this Department. Hesays: ” We have now ended the sixth day of very heavy fighting. The result to this time is much in our favor. Our losses have been heavy as well as those of the enemy. I think the loss of the enemy must be greater. We have taken over 5,000 prisoners in battle, whilst he has taken from us but few, except stragglers. 1 propose to fight it out on this line if it takes allsummer.” The Government is sparing no pains to support

him. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.

(Copy to Governors Brough, Morton, Stone, Lewis, Yates, and Bramlette.)

Woopstock, Va., May 11, 1864—10 p. m. (Via Martinsburg. Received 3 p. m. 12th.) ADJUTANT-GENERAL U.S. ARMY:

I arrived here to-day after a slight skirmish with the enemy’s cavalry, who retired toward Edenburg. Five hundred cavalry sent out from Winchester to Moorefield were attacked by 1,0000f Imboden’s command at Lost River Gap, and driven back to Romney.

FRANZ SIGEL, Major-General.

GREEN SPRING, May 11, 1864. Major-General STAHEL:

On my march from Moorefield to Wardensville my advance encountered the enemy in Lost River Gap. I brought up the column and immediately ordered acharge. Idrove him three times, whenI was met by an overwhelming force, and I was forced to fall back. I took the Grassy Lick road for Romney. My rear guard fought him and held him in check till within five miles of Romney, when he got on my flank and charged my center with a large force. We repulsed him and held him in check, andthe column moved on. _ I burned the train and saved the horses. He followed to Springfield. I have brought nearly all my command safely to this point. My loss is not heavy. The enemy’s force is supposed to be Rosser’s, Imboden’s, McNeill’s, and Harness’ commands. His main force encamped near Romney last night. His force has been reported at from 2,000 to 3,000. I have not seen more than seven squadrons of cavalry at atime. It wasreported that he had some artillery, but it

was not used on us. Our horses are completely worn out; quite a number are rendered entirely useless, because of the long and severe march. We marched about seventy-five miles since Monday night till Tuesday evening, without a halt or feed. I will remain here for orders. My ammunition has been nearly exhausted. Horses are unshod.* Iam,

very respectfully, your obedient servant,