Official Records of the Rebellion

[156]

4 [Inclosure B.]

WITHIN TWO MILES OF CHICKAHOMINY,
May 23, 1862.

GENERAL: * * * Since my last communication I have established our final depot at White House, the point where the West Point Railroad crosses the Pamunkey River, 23 miles from Richomnd. The army now occupies the line of the Chickahominy from 16 to 18 miles in advance. Supplies are now hauled by land from the depot, and owing to the nature of the roads it is about the utmost limit at which an army of this size can be supplied by wagon transportation. I trust, however, that in two days I shall have the railroad in running order, when all anxiety with regard to supplies may be dismissed. I have had all the rolling stock of the railroad ordered to the White House instead of West Point. About twenty-five cars are now landed, and two engines will be put upon the track this evening. The bridge-builders and carpenters only reached the White House last evening. They are now building the two small bridges between White House [163] and Chickahominy which were burned by the rebels. These will be hushed by to-morrow evening, when supplies can be brought on the road to within 7 miles of our extreme right wing. Our left will have to haul only about 2miles. Only one span of the Chickahominy Bridge has been burned. The bridge across the Pamunkey and one short bridge hear West Point will be rebuilt as soon as the road in front is put in running order. When that is done West Point can be made a depot also. It possesses many advantages. There is a good wharf, and 20 feet of water can be carried there, up one of the finest rivers I have ever seen. Two or three days would have been gained in putting the road in order had the proper vessels been forwarded from Baltimore. By some mistake the vessels which should have sailed first sailed last.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

STEWART VAN VLIET,
Brigadier- General and Quartermaster.

General M. C. MEIGS,

Quartermaster-General U. S. Army, Washington, D. C.

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