Benjamnin F. Butler, Butler's Book: Autobiography and Personal Reminiscences of Major-General Benjamin Butler

[726]

General Ord will observe that the Varina road runs within two miles of the river, and he may be annoyed by the enemy's gunboats, but they would seem to amount to an annoyance only at that distance, yet an attempt to take the work would seem the most feasible from the northwest side of the salient extending in that direction, as there he will be entirely protected by the high bluff from the fire of the enemy's gunboats.

But much of this detail, of course, must be left to his discretion on the ground, which he is enjoined to use largely as to modes and places and of attack. General Ord is expressly cautioned, however, to lose no time in attempting to envelop Chaffin's farm, but rather if he can take the line of works extending across his path to place what in his judgment may be a sufficient force, with orders to intrench so as to hold the bridge, and with the rest of his forces to push up toward the Newmarket road at the junction of which with the Varina road he will probably be met with some force, that being near the station of the cavalry.

If Chaffin's farm can be taken, a force should be detached to hold it, although it becomes of minor importance, except as a possible bridge-head for a new pontoon bridge to be thrown, brought from the Appomattox; but that is a question of time. Leaving sufficient force to protect his rear from the enemy crossing after striking the Newmarket junction, at which point it is hoped he will be joined by General Birney, who will have proceeded up the Newmarket road, General Ord will move to the left and attempt to strike the Richmond and Osborne old turnpike, and also to detach a force, and destroy or hold the bridge next above, and proceed onwards up that road until the junction with the Newmarket road, at which point the only other force of the enemy is supposed to be found on the garrisons of the detached works.

Again, an attempt should be made to destroy the bridge opposite battery twenty-three (23).

If these bridges can be destroyed with reasonable celerity there can be but little doubt of the complete success of the movement.

Meanwhile General Birney will have moved by the Newmarket road up to the point of intersection, where it may be necessary to turn the works by a flank movement to the left in the direction marked on the map “Cox,” but that, like the other method of attack, must be left largely to the discretion of General Birney.

As soon as possible after the advance has been made from Deep Bottom, whether the attack is made by the third (3d) division of the Eighteenth Corps, or a division of the Tenth Corps, the third (3d) division under General Paine will have position upon the left of General Birney's column of march, so that when the junction is formed with General Ord