On the 7th Abercrombie—­who was in command at White House, and who had been in command at our base of supplies in all the changes made from the start—­was ordered to take up the iron from the York River Railroad and put it on boats, and to be in readiness to move by water to City Point.

On the 8th Meade was directed to fortify a line down the bank overlooking the Chickahominy, under cover of which the army could move.

On the 9th Abercrombie was directed to send all organized troops arriving at White House, without debarking from their transports, to report to Butler.  Halleck was at this time instructed to send all reinforcements to City Point.

On the 11th I wrote: 

Cold harbor, Va., June 11, 1864.

Major-gen.  B. F. Butler, Commanding Department of Va. and N. C.

The movement to transfer this army to the south side of the James River will commence after dark to-morrow night.  Col.  Comstock, of my staff, was sent specially to ascertain what was necessary to make your position secure in the interval during which the enemy might use most of his force against you, and also, to ascertain what point on the river we should reach to effect a crossing if it should not be practicable to reach this side of the river at Bermuda Hundred.  Colonel Comstock has not yet returned, so that I cannot make instructions as definite as I would wish, but the time between this and Sunday night being so short in which to get word to you, I must do the best I can.  Colonel Dent goes to the Chickahominy to take to you the 18th corps.  The corps will leave its position in the trenches as early in the evening, tomorrow, as possible, and make a forced march to Cole’s Landing or Ferry, where it should reach by ten A.M. the following morning.  This corps numbers now 15,300 men.  They take with them neither wagons nor artillery; these latter marching with the balance of the army to the James River.  The remainder of the army will cross the Chickahominy at Long Bridge and at Jones’s, and strike the river at the most practicable crossing below City Point.

I directed several days ago that all reinforcements for the army should be sent to you.  I am not advised of the number that may have gone, but suppose you have received from six to ten thousand.  General Smith will also reach you as soon as the enemy could, going by the way of Richmond.

The balance of the force will not be more than one day behind, unless detained by the whole of Lee’s army, in which case you will be strong enough.

I wish you would direct the proper staff officers, your chief-engineer and your chief-quartermaster, to commence at once the collection of all the means in their reach for crossing the army on its arrival.  If there is a point below City Point where a pontoon bridge can be thrown, have it laid.