woods south of the Jones house, it will do for us. To-morrow I shall have a large force chopping wood and clearing away for our artillery, and then we can shorten our line if needed. Please relieve so much of General Hancock's picket to-night.

Respectfully,

G. K. WARREN,

Major-General, Commanding.

[Inclosure.]

HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS, July 12, 1864.

Major-General WARREN:

I wish you would relieve my picket-line up to the point where you propose to break to the left to connect with Ferrero. I will keep the remainder of my line on as long as I am here, but it will assist me, in case I am ordered to move suddenly, if you will relieve the right of my line.

WINF'D S. HANCOCK,
Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS NINTH CORPS, July 12, 1864-9 a.m.

Major-General HUMPHREYS:

I have the honor to report nothing of special importance occurred on my line during the night. The noise of railroad trains and steam-whistles was quite plain during most of the night.

A. E. BURNSIDE,

Major-General.

[Indorsement.]

Major-General BURNSIDE,

Commanding Ninth Corps:

The commanding general asks if the noise of railroad trains came from the Richmond and Petersburg or Weldon and Petersburg road?

A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS, July 12, 1864.

(Received 2.15 p.m.)

Major-General HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff:

A brigade officer of the day of General Willcox's division reports that he thought trains were moving on the Richmond road, coming and going all night.

A. E. BURNSIDE,
Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS, July 12, 1864.

(Received 2.30 p.m.)

Major-General HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff:

As far as ascertained the trains were on the Weldon road, this side the river. Further information will be forwarded when received.

A. E. BURNSIDE,

Major-General.