HDQRS. DEFENSES OF CITY POINT AND ENGINEER Brigadier, January 4, 1865.

Brigadier General S. WILLIAMS,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Army of the Potomac:

GENERAL: Battery H, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, having left these defenses to join the Sixth Corps, leaves one of my forts entirely without artillery and diminishes the armament of another. I would respectfully inquire if another battery is to be sent to replace it, or whether I shall make other disposition of my remaining guns, which, before the withdrawal of the Rhode Island battery, only equaled what I considered necessary for the defenses here.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. W. BENHAM,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

[First indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, January 4, 1865.

Respectfully referred to the chief of artillery for his remarks.

By command of Major-General Parke:

S. F. BARSTOW,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Second indorsement.]

ARTILLERY HEADQUARTERS, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, January 5, 1865.

There is no field artillery available to replace Battery H, First Rhode Island, in the City Point defenses. Additional guns being required to arm a new battery on the front of the Sixth Corps, and all the artillery which accompanied the corps having been left behind on its return, it was necessary to transfer some other battery to the new position.

Respectfully returned to headquarters Army of the Potomac.

HENRY J. HUNT,

Brevet Major-General, Chief of Artillery.

[Third indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, January 5, 1865.

Respectfully returned to Brigadier-General Benham.

At present no battery can be sent to replace Battery H, Rhode Island Artillery, and the best arrangement possible must be made with the guns remaining in the defenses of City Point.

By command of Major-General Parke:

S. WILLIAMS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS, January 4, 1865.

(Received 10.30 a. m.)

Brigadier General S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

No changes in the disposition of this command since last report. Two deserters from the enemy came into our lines during the night.

A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Major-General.