HEADQUARTERS EIGHTEENTH ARMY CORPS, July 4, 1864.

Major-General BUTLER:

Your telegram if this date ordering James' (Rhode Island) battery to report to the Tenth Army Corps is received. The battery cannot be sent away without prejudice to the service. We need it, and all the artillery we can get.

W. F. SMITH,
Major-General.

JULY 4, 1864 - 9.30 p. m.

General W. F. SMITH:

The general commanding directs me to say that he will send one of his two reserve batteries to you to-morrow, and then wishes you to send James' battery back. His desire is to gibe you all the artillery he can, and at the same time retain organization of his command.

G. WEITZEL,

Brigadier-General and Acting Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS EIGHTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
July 4, 1864. (Received 7.50 p. m.)

Major-General BUTLER,

Commanding Department of Virginia, &v.:

My signal officer reports six regiments of infantry, twenty-six ambulances, ant twenty-two army wagons, also one train of cars loaded with troops and a battery, passing to our right.

WM. F. SMITH,

Major-General.

JULY 4, 1864.

Major-General SMITH:

The commanding general does not understand exactly what point you mead ny "our right." Please explain on what road the column was moving.

G. WEITZEL

Brigadier-General and Acting Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS EIGHTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
July 4, 1864. (Received 8.30 p. m.)

Brigadier-General WEITZEL,

Chief of Staff:

The troops spoken of in dispatch were moving from Petersburg toward Richmond on the turnpike.

WM. F. SMITH,

Major-General.