"'Head-quarters Army Potomac,
7.26 A.M., April 2d, 1865.
"'Maj. Gen. Parke,—General Meade sends for information the following from the Lieut. Gen.
"'As I understand it, Parke is attacking the main line of works around Petersburg, whilst the others are only attacking an outer line which the enemy might give up without giving up Petersburg. Parke should either advance rapidly, or cover his men and hold all he gets.
'ALEX. S. WEBB,
Bvt. Maj. Gen. and Chief of Staff.'
"At 7.45 I received the following despatch:—
"'Head-quarters Army Potomac,
April 2d, 1865, 7.40.
"'Maj. Gen. Parke,—The General Commanding directs that you hold on to all you have got, and not to advance unless you see your way clear.
'ALEX. S. WEBB,
Bvt. Maj. Gen. and Chief of Staff.'
"About this time the enemy made an attempt to get up a charge on us, but our fire was so hot that they did not get many men outside their lines.
"We then held a distance of about four hundred yards on each side of the Jerusalem Plank road, including several forts and redans. The enemy made no further movements, with the exception of being very busy, planting more guns, and keeping up an incessant and murderous fire of sharp-shooters, until just before eleven o'clock, when he made a heavy and determined assault on the captured line; but we repulsed him at all points, with much loss. It being evident to me that the enemy was resolved to regain, at all hazards, the portion of their lines held by us, and nearly all my reserve being in, and learning from General Wright that he was moving toward Hatcher's Run, leaving a wide gap between us, I deemed it advisable to report the state of affairs to army head-quarters, and request reinforcements.