HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ENGINEER,

July 24, 1864.

Major-General MEADE,

Commanding Army of the Potomac:

GENERAL: In reply to your communication of this date, I have the honor to state that the line of the enemy's works in front of General Burnside is not situated on the crest of the bridge separating us from Petersburg; that the enemy have undoubtedly occupied this ridge as a second line. Should General Burnside succeed in exploding his mine he would probably be able to take the enemy's first line, which is about 100 yards in advance of his approach. Beyond this I do not think he could advance until the works in front of the Fifth Corps are carried, as the Ninth Corps columns would be taken in flank by a heavy artillery fire from works in front of the center of the Fifth Corps, and in front by fire from the works on the crest near the Cemetery Hill. I do not believe that the works in front of the Fifth Corps can be carried until our lines can be extended to the left, so as to envelop the enemy's line.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. C. DUANE,

Major of Engineers.

PLANK ROAD SIGNAL STATION,

July 24, 1864- 4 p.m.

Captain B. F. FISHER:

All quiet. No movement to-day. Could see large numbers of the enemy this a.m. policing their camps in the rear of their line west of plank road. Nothing visible in direction of Weldon railroad.

J. B. DUFF,

Lieutenant and Signal Officer.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS,
July 24, 1864.

General S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

There has been no change in the disposition of my command since last report. The work on the left is still being prosecuted, as described in last night's report.

WINF'D S. HANCOCK,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY C0RPS,
July 24, 1864-9 p.m.

General S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

There has been no change in disposition of my command since last report. The Third Division has returned from fatigue; the First Detailed for to-morrow.

WINF'D S. HANCOCK,

Major-General.