CITY POINT, July 8, 1864.

Major General W. F. SMITH,

Commanding Eighteenth Army Corps:

There will probably be no movements for a week or ten days, and you have permission to use this time to visit New York. Communicate this to General Butler, with whom the lieutenant-general has spoken.

By command of Lieutenant-General Grant:

JNumbers A. RAWLINS,

Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS EIGHTEENTH CORPS, July 8, 1864.

Brigadier-General RAWLINS,
Chief of Staff, City Point:

More than one week since I had the honor to forward certain papers for the consideration of the lieutenant-general commanding the armies of the United States. These papers had reference to the condition of the negro troops, and I deemed the suggestions of importance to the service. I have, therefore, respectfully to request that the major-general commanding the Department of Virginia and North Carolina may be called upon to forward those papers, which were sent to the headquarters of the armies through the headquarters of the department.

WM. F. SMITH,

Major-General, Commanding.

(Copy to General Weitzel.)

HEADQUARTERS EIGHTEENTH CORPS, July 8, 1864.

Brigadier-General RAWLINS,
Chief of Staff, City Point:

Is it not possible to send me some troops to relieve a portion of my line? My troops are so exhausted it is very difficult to make them work.

WM. F. SMITH,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS EIGHTEENTH CORPS, July 8, 1864-7.15 p. m.

Brigadier-General RAWLINS,
Chief of Staff, City Point:

The enemy opened quite heavily with artillery upon my lines about two hours since, after which their infantry mounted the parapet of their rifle-pits and delivered a volley, but upon receiving a volley from my lines they again retired.

WM. F. SMITH,

Major-General.