U. S. GRANT.

COLD HARBOR, VA., June 11,1864.

MAJOR-GENERAL G. G. MEADE, Commanding Army of the Potomac.

Colonel Comstock, who visited the James River for the purpose of ascertaining the best point below Bermuda Hundred to which to march the army has not yet returned.  It is now getting so late, however, that all preparations may be made for the move to-morrow night without waiting longer.

The movement will be made as heretofore agreed upon, that is, the 18th corps make a rapid march with the infantry alone, their wagons and artillery accompanying the balance of the army to Cole’s Landing or Ferry, and there embark for City Point, losing no time for rest until they reach the latter point.

The 5th corps will seize Long Bridge and move out on the Long Bridge Road to its junction with Quaker Road, or until stopped by the enemy.

The other three corps will follow in such order as you may direct, one of them crossing at Long Bridge, and two at Jones’s Bridge.  After the crossing is effected, the most practicable roads will be taken to reach about Fort Powhattan.  Of course, this is supposing the enemy makes no opposition to our advance.  The 5th corps, after securing the passage of the balance of the army, will join or follow in rear of the corps which crosses the same bridge with themselves.  The wagon trains should be kept well east of the troops, and if a crossing can be found, or made lower down than Jones’s they should take it.

U. S. GRANT, Lieut.-General.

P. S.—­In view of the long march to reach Cole’s Landing, and the uncertainty of being able to embark a large number of men there, the direction of the 18th corps may be changed to White House.  They should be directed to load up transports, and start them as fast as loaded without waiting for the whole corps or even whole divisions to go together.

U. S. GRANT.

About this time word was received (through the Richmond papers of the 11th) that Crook and Averell had united and were moving east.  This, with the news of Hunter’s successful engagement near Staunton, was no doubt known to Lee before it was to me.  Then Sheridan leaving with two divisions of cavalry, looked indeed threatening, both to Lee’s communications and supplies.  Much of his cavalry was sent after Sheridan, and Early with Ewell’s entire corps was sent to the Valley.  Supplies were growing scarce in Richmond, and the sources from which to draw them were in our hands.  People from outside began to pour into Richmond to help eat up the little on hand.  Consternation reigned there.

On the 12th Smith was ordered to move at night to White House, not to stop until he reached there, and to take boats at once for City Point, leaving his trains and artillery to move by land.