During the 15th and 16th Wilson drew his troops in toward the James River, and next day crossed it on the pontoon-bridge and camped on the Blackwater, near Mt.

Sinai Church.

Here he remained till the 22d of June--the same day I reached the White House with Gregg and Torbert--when, under orders from General Meade, he set out to cut the enemy's communications to the south and southwest of Petersburg.
His instructions implied that the breaking up of the Petersburg and Lynchburg, and Richmond and Danville railroads at Burkeville was the most important part of his mission, and that when the work of destruction began, it should be continued till he was driven off by the enemy.

Wilson's force consisted of about 5,500 men, General A.
V.Kautz, with the cavalry of the Army of the James, having joined him for the expedition.

In moving out Wilson crossed the Weldon road near Ream's Station, first destroying it effectually at that point.
About fourteen miles west of Petersburg he struck the Southside railroad, and broke it up clear to Burkeville, a distance of thirty miles.