Winf'd S. Hancock to Seth Williams, August 3, 1864

August 3, 1864.

GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of this corps on the 30th ultimo:

On the evening of the 29th an order was received directing the corps to recross the James and take up a position in rear of the intrenched line of the Eighteenth Corps in readiness to move as might be directed. General Mott’s division had moved the night before to the vicinity of Petersburg, for the purpose of relieving the Eighteenth Corps. This corps was then in line of battle on the north side of the James, along the New Market and Malvern Hill road, its left near Bailey’s Creek, connecting on the right with the cavalry under General Sheridan, which extended to Malvern Hill. The necessary orders were given for the withdrawal of both commands. It was hoped that two bridges might be available for the command, but this not being the case the command crossed on one bridge, the infantry commencing at 8.30 p. m. and occupying the bridge till nearly 11, two brigades of cavalry crossing meanwhile. The head of column reached the Appomattox afew minutes before 1 on the morning of the 30th, and by daylight the rear of column had passed Spring Hill. The leading division (General Gibbon’s) commenced moving in rear of the Highteenth Corps line, then held by General Mott’s division of this corps, about 3.45 a.m. On arriving at General Mott’s headquarters I was informed by General Mott that General Ord had desired him to report to me in his name that himself and division commanders had concluded that it was not practicable to attack in front of the Eighteenth Corps, owing to the nature of the obstructions the enemy had placed in front of their works, and that he had so reported to the major-general commanding the Army of the Potomac. About 6 a.m. I received the following dispatch by telegraph from Burnside’s:

é JULY 30, 1864—6 a. m. Major-General HANCOCK,

Commanding Second Army Corps:

The major-general commanding directs me to say that General Burnside reports the enemy’s line in his front abandoned, and the prisoners taken say that there is no second line. The commanding general may call on you to move forward any moment, and wishes you to have your troops weli up to the front, prepared to move. Do the enemy’s lines in front of Mott’s division appear to be thinly occupied, and is there any chance to push forward there?

A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General and Chief of Staff.

A demonstration was made along the whole line occupied by General Mott and it was found the enemy had not apparently weakened this line. Colonel Madill, commanding the center brigade, reported that not a man had moved to our left since daylight. The picket-firing was at all times very sharp at this point, and it was doubtless to examine the enemy’s line closely. At 7 a.m. I received the following dispatch by telegraph from Burnside’s headquarters:

JULY 30, 1864—7 a. m. Major-General HANCOCK:

The reports from prisoners would indicate a weakness in the enemy’s line, and that a considerable portion of it has been vacated. If Burnside and Ord gain the crest, the enemy cannot hold in your front, for they will be open to attack from front and rear. It was to take advantage of this contingency that I wanted to have your troops in hand. The orders to Mott are all right. If the enemy are in force and prepared you will have to wait developments, but if you have reason to believe their condition is such that an effort to dislodge them would be successful I would like to have it made. Burnside now occupies their line, but has not pushed up to the crest, though he reports he is about doing so.

GEO. G. MEADE, Major-General, Commanding.

Thad a careful watch on the whole line that I might take advantage of any attempt of the enemy to re-enforce from my part, but no change was apparent and every demonstration from my line was met with such vigor and show of strength that I saw no opportunity of an advance promising success. At 9.40 a. m. I received a dispatch stating that offensive operations were suspended and requiring me to hold the line of the Eighteenth Corps in force. Preparations were made for placing the whole corps in the line at dusk, but the above order being changed, the corps resumed during the night its position in the vicinity of the Deserted House, General Mott being relieved by the Eighteenth Corps.

The casualties on the 30th were:

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very respectfully, your obedient servant,