Report of Brig. Gen. Edward W. Hinks, U.S. Army, commanding Third Division, of operations May 5-18.

HDQRS. THIRD DIVISION, EIGHTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
City Point, Va., May 22, 1864.

MAJOR: I have the honor to submit the following report of my operations since May 13, 1864:
Regular daily communication by water is now established between all the points occupied by my division. The works in the bight of the river opposite Point of Rocks have nearly reached completion, and the position is one of considerable strength. Colonel Stafford has been relieved of the command at Fort Powhatan, and ordered with his regiment to Wilson's Wharf. Colonel Kiddco, commanding Twenty-second U.S. Colored Troops, has been stationed at Fort Powhatan. A detachment of the Third Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, commanded by Capt. F. von Schilling, has been stationed at Fort Powhatan. I have now mounted at Fort Powhatan three 20-pounder Parrotts and one 4 1/2-inch siege gun, and one additional gun, 32-pounder Rodman, mounted on my works at City Point. On the 16th instant a foraging party of 20 men, under the command of Lieutenant Cunningnam, of the Thirty-seventh U.S. Colored Troops, sent out without orders from these headquarters, were attacked by a largely superior force, with the loss of 1 killed, 4 wounded, and 2 captured. An investigation of the whole  matter by a military commission is now in progress. The questionable behavior of Lieutenant Cunningham, Thirty-seventh U.S. Colored Troops, in this affair stands in strange contrast with the soldierly behavior of Sergeant Frazier, Fifth U.S. Colored Troops.
On the morning of the 18th instant Colonel Duncan's command at Spring Hill was attacked by the enemy with a force consisting of about 600 cavalry, two companies of infantry, and two 12-pounder guns. After a brisk cannonade of thirty minutes' duration the enemy were compelled to retire, apparently with considerable loss.
Our loss was 2 slightly wounded.

I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

EDW. W. HINKS,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Maj. R. S. DAVIS,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Dept. of Va. and N. C., in the Field.

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