CITY POINT, July 5, 1864.

(Received 12.20 a.m. 6th.)

Major-General MEADE:

The enemy have got to the Baltimore and Ohio road and have destroyed the railroad bridges from Patterson's Creek to Harper's Ferry. Send in one good division of your troops and all the dismounted cavalry, to be forwarded at once. I will not send an army corps until there is greater necessity for it. I will order the quartermaster here to have transportation ready.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

CITY POINT, VA., July 5, 1864.

(Received 12.30 a.m. 6th.)

Major-General MEADE:

Commanding, &c.:

Sigel has fallen back to Maryland Heights, destroying the bridges at that point. Some of Hunter's force have arrived at Patterson's Creek, where they drove the enemy. Other dispatches are just coming through, which, when deciphered, I will inform you of if they contain anything of importance. Among them I see the announcement of the sinking of the Alabama by our navy. Semmes, however, escaped. Vessels will be ready for the troops ordered from here between now and 2 p.m. to-morrow. No artillery need by sent.

U. S. GRANT

Lieutenant-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS.
HDQRS. ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES.

Numbers 49.
City Point, Va., July 5, 1864.

I. Brigadier General E. W. Hinks, U. S. Volunteers, is hereby assigned to the command of Point Lookout, Md., and will relieve Colonel Draper, Thirty-sixth U. S. Colored Troops, now on duty there. On being relieved, Colonel Draper will report for duty with his regiment.

II. By direction of the Secretary of War, Bvt. Major General J. G. Barnard is temporarily relieved from duty as chief engineer of the armies operating against Richmond, and will report in person without delay to the Chief of Engineers, Washington, D. C. During General Barnard's absence his duties will be performed by Lieutenant Colonel C. B. Comstock, aide-de-camp.

By command of Lieutenant-General Grant:

T. S. BOWERS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.

PROVOST-MARSHAL-GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT,

July 5, 1864.

Major-General HUMPHREYS,

Chief of Staff:

GENERAL: Two deserters from the; Twentieth Georgia Battalion Cavalry came into the lines of the Sixth Corps at about 5 o'clock this morning. They had been in hospital at Richmond, and on the 1st