UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN SOUTHEAST VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, FROM MAY 20, 1864, TO JUNE 12, 1864.--#17

GENERAL BUTLER'S HEADQUARTERS,
May 31, 1864--6.30 p.m. (Received 11 p.m.)

Hon. E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:

Yesterday all day heavy firing in the direction of Mechanicsville.

Six refugees from Richmond report Grant on Mechanicsville turnpike, 6 miles from Richmond, yesterday. They heard the firing, and that Grant was driving Lee. A woman reports that a meeting was held yesterday while she was in Richmond to see whether the city should be surrendered or burned. The mayor advocated surrender, and was put in Castle Thunder. The enemy attacked my lines yesterday, and were repulsed. To-day all day they have been demonstrating against my works on Spring Hill, easterly side of the Appomattox, but are repulsed.

BENJ. F. BUTLER,

Major-General, Commanding.

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