HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF
THE UNITED STATES,
Near Spotsylvania
Court-House, May 11, 1864—8.30 a.m.
We have now ended the sixth day of very heavy fighting. The
result to this time is much in our favor. But our losses have been heavy, as
well as those of the enemy. We have lost to this time 11 general officers
killed, wounded, and missing, and probably 20,000 men. I think the loss of the
enemy must be greater, we having taken over 4,000 prisoners in battle, while he
has taken but few, except stragglers. I am now sending back to Belle Plain all
my wagons for a fresh supply of provisions and ammunition, and propose to fight
it out on this line if it takes all summer. The arrival of re-enforcements here
will be very encouraging to the men, and I hope they will be sent as fast as
possible, and in as great numbers. My object in having them sent to Belle Plain
was to use them as an escort to our supply train. If it is more convenient to
send them out by train to march from the railroad to Belle Plain or
Fredericksburg send them so. I am satisfied the enemy are very shaky, and are
only kept up to the mark by the greatest exertions on the part of their
officers, and by keeping them intrenched in every position they take. Up to
this time there is no indication of any portion of Lee's army being detached
for the defense of Richmond.
U.S. GRANT,
Lieutenant-General.
Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK,
Chief of Staff.
SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official
Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 36, Part 1
(Serial No. 67), p. 4
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