Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams.
Sir: The Senate is giving its final revision to the bill, which has already, passed the House of Representatives, for raising internal revenue. The spirit of the whole Congress with regard to taxation is excellent. The House of [Page 75] Representatives is endeavoring to complete the bill for regulating the currency, and there is so far a concurrence of views of the two branches of the legislature in regard to the principles to be adopted in revising the tariff of duties on imports, that I think we may soon expect a satisfactory result in that respect.
Major General Canby is vigorously reorganizing the forces west of the Mississippi, with a view to new operations.
Major General Sherman, finding the insurgents under Johnston strongly fortified at Altoona, made a detour to the right with a design to pass that place. Johnston went out and met General Sherman near Dallas, and was driven back with very severe loss to the insurgents, and without effectually checking Sherman’s advance. He proposes to reach the railroad again between Altoona and Atlanta.
General Lee, on retiring from Spottsylvania, took up and fortified a very advantageous position near Hanover Junction, south of the North Anna, and General Grant thereupon again cast away his base, which was then at Port Royal, on the Rappahannock, and finding a passage east of Lee’s new position, threw his whole forces across the Pamunkey river near Hanover town, and when last heard from the army stood in order of battle, three miles south of the last named river, which is a tributary of the York river. This new position Was gained with no other conflict than a successful cavalry engagement. At that place he has been joined by the portion of the command of General Butler which could be spared without exposing the position we have hitherto held at Bermuda Hundred, on the James river between Petersburg and Richmond. This re-enforcement from Butler’s army was effected by means of steam navigation down the James and up the York and Pamunkey rivers. Thus all the contending forces are within a circuit of twenty miles around Richmond.
Major General Hunter has succeeded General Sigel in command of the auxiliary forces, whose field of operation is in the Shenandoah valley and Western Virginia. Movements are in progress there which, if successful, will materially aid the operations of the lieutenant general before Richmond. I have heretofore mentioned the re-enforcements which were sent to him. These re-enforcements have been augmented. All the wounded, all the prisoners, and all the unnecessary impedimenta of the army of the Potomac, have been sent away by General Grant. The passing week may be expected to be filled with important events.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles F. Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.