Unknown, June 14, 1864

June 14, 1864—2.20 p. m. (Received 2 a. m. 15th.)

Wright’s corps reached the James River last night opposite Fort Powhatan. Burnside camped on the other side of the Chickahominy. Warren camped at Saint Mary’s Church. Both these corps are up before this time. The wagon train, with Ferrero’s division, reached the Chickahominy at the Windsor Shades, but did not cross, because they did not have enough bridge material. The deficiency has been supplied. Butler’s engineers had begun work for the pontoon bridge at Fort Powhatan before our arrival, and are now aided by heavy details from Hancock’s corps. It is a pretty heavy job to corduroy the marsh, which is fully half a mile wide, and quite deep. When we left Wilcox’s Wharf at 9 o’clock this morning there were three steam-boats there to begin ferrying Barlow’s division. No ferry-boats had yet appeared; however, the crossing will be made with all practicable rapidity, the troops crossing on boats, and the bridge being used for the trains only. The weather is cloudy, threatening rain, but I think we shall get everything out of the Chickahominy bottom upon the highlands along the James River before any trouble from that source. We know nothing of Lee’s movements. He has not yet sent troops to Petersburg. General Grant desires me to inquire whether Quartermaster Holabird, at New Orleans, has been relieved. He has very bad reports concerning him. He also wishes that you would send him $500,000 in Confederate money for use in a cavalry expedition, on which he proposes to pay for everything taken. Your dispatch respecting Barnard was received and communicated. There is no reason for anxiety on that subject.

Hon. Epwin M. STANTON, Secretary of War.