Pickett starts communicating directly with Bragg on May 6th:
PETERSBURG, May 6, 1864.
General B. BRAGG,
Richmond, Va.:
Please order the line between this city and Richmond via Lynchburg to be kept open, and the necessary steps for the purpose to be taken. It is the only safe line. If this line cannot be kept open, cannot the line between this city and Richmond via junction of the South Side Railroad be kept open?
G. E. PICKETT,
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PETERSBURG, May 6, 1864.
General BRAGG,
Richmond, Va.:
Please order General Hagood to communicate with me as soon as he reaches Port Walthall Junction.
G. E. PICKETT,
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PETERSBURG, May 6, 1864.
General BRAGG,
Richmond, Va.:
The following has just been received:
The enemy are in heavy force at Cobb's. About two regiments are stationary and the rest have moved toward the railroad.
HYMAN,
Sergeant, at Chaffin's.
G. E. PICKETT,
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PETERSBURG, May 6, 1864.
General BRAGG,
Richmond, Va.:
Do you intend holding the railroad between this place and Richmond? I sent General Cooper eight or ten telegrams on yesterday, but received no reply. The enemy will try to cut the railroad to-day, advancing from Bermuda Hundred, I think.
G. E. PICKETT,
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PETERSBURG, May 6, 1864.
General B. BRAGG,
Richmond, Va.:
GENERAL: I have sent forward Colonel Mercer with his men, 350, to Port Walthall Junction, according to your order this morning. Please send him your particular instructions. I suppose the other part of the brigade which left here last night is now there---3.30 p.m. Have sent a battery of artillery also.
Respectfully, &c.,
G.E. PICKETT,
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PETERSBURG, May 6, 1864.
General B. BRAGG and
General BEAUREGARD:
Following report just received from scout in the enemy's lines. It is reliable:
My boat has just returned. The river was filled with steamers and schooners all day yesterday. Fully 200 sail went up, carrying at the very lowest estimate 40,000 men. These troops come mostly from Yorktown and are under command of Major-General Smith. Butler is with the expedition also. Their destination is supposed to be Petersburg. There is a report just in that 3,000 cavalry and seven pieces of artillery passed through Suffolk yesterday on their way up. All the cavalry have left this vicinity. All the Southern coast has been stripped of troops for this army, and negroes have taken their place. I will remain till the last moment, watching and reporting movements.
G. E. PICKETT,
Major-General.
[ First indorsement. ]
I have ordered Hunton's brigade, 1,700 strong, at Chaffin's farm, to re-enforce Drewry's Bluff, to be replaced by a brigade from Hanover Junction.
S.C.
[Second indorsement.]
Above is a mistake. General Cooper told Colonel Clay to issue the order, but the latter had reason to omit to carry it out, partly because
* * * * * * * * * *
[NOTE.--Indorsements in pencil. Part omitted obliterated; about eight words and signature. Both indorsements appear to be in same handwriting.]
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PETERSBURG, May 6, 1864.
General BRAXTON BRAGG,
Richmond, Va.:
The following dispatch just received from the Blackwater line:
The Yankee column, under Spear, are at Broadwater Ferry. Skirmishing has commenced. I feel confident that I shall be able to prevent a crossing.
J. D. RADCLIFFE,
Colonel, Commanding.
G. E. PICKETT,
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PETERSBURG, May 6, 1864.
General B. BRAGG,
Richmond, Va.:
Your dispatch received. I have not one single cavalryman. There are only about 150 on the Blackwater, part of whom were ordered up. Will not get here before to-morrow.
G. E. PICKETT,
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PETERSBURG, May 6, 1864.
General BRAGG and
General BEAUREGARD:
Following telegram just received from Ivor:
The enemy presented himself at Broadwater Ferry to-day and was driven away. They are burning every house between Suffolk and the Blackwater, from the character of the smoke from burning houses. He is marching with the intention of forming a junction with the force which landed on the James River. His strength is 3,000 cavalry and eight pieces of artillery on the Blackwater road, and some infantry on the Franklin road. If I had my regiment together I could cross the river and annoy him, but with my present force can only hold the ford.
J. D. RADCLIFFE,
Colonel, Commanding.
G. E. PICKETT,
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PETERSBURG, May 6, 1864.
General BRAGG,
Richmond, Va.:
Radcliffe, commanding at Ivor, reports that Spear, with a large force of cavalry, probably 3,000, is on the way toward Petersburg, and will probably be somewhere near it to.night.
G. E. PICKETT,
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PETERSBURG, May 6, 1864.
General B. BRAGG,
Richmond, Va.:
Will you please send General Hagood your instructions. I have ordered him to the junction, as directed by you. What forces are on the line of railroad between that point and Richmond? Answer at once.
G. E. PICKETT,
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WILMINGTON, May 6, 1864.
General S. COOPER,
Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Va.:
Hagood's and half of Wise's have passed. As the rest of Wise's will not be here until to-morrow, I have sent on the furloughed men.
W. H. C. WHITING,