These orders General Foster must carry out. The commanding general directs that Foster keep enough pontoon-boats on the east bank ot the river below Four-Mile Creek to enable his small garrison to withdraw in case of necessity, the gun-boats covering the movement.

Very respectfully,

G. WEITZEL,

Brigadier-General and Acting Chief of Staff.

(Copy to General Forster.)

HEADQUARTERS TENTH ARMY CORPS, July 29, 1864.

General WEITZEL,
Acting Chief of Staff:

Officer of the day reports distinct hearing of sounds resembling loading of cars with railroad iron and moving of train to Richmond; also that the force in front of General Ferry is apparently much reduced.

D. B. BIRNEY,

Major-General.

P. S. - I do to Deep Bottom to-day.

D. B. B.

GENERAL BUTLER'S HEADQUARTERS, July 29, 1864 - 12.10 a. m.

General R. S. FOSTER:

General Grant says he will send full instructions in the morning. That one division of infantry only withdraws; the cavalry remains.

G. WEITZEL,

Brigadier-General and Acting Chief of Staff.

(Copy to General Birney.)

HDQRS. THIRD Brigadier, FIRST DIV., TENTH ARMY CORPS,
Deep Bottom, Va., July 29, 1864.

Lieutenant Colonel E. W. SMITH,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Tenth Army Corps:

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the dispatch of july 28 from the major-general commanding Tenth Army Corps, in answer to my request for instructions. The only instructions that I received were previous to the expedition, and from Major-General Butler, to the effect that I was to cross and hold this position at all hazards until the bridge was completed, after which time I was to repel force by force, keeping headquarters well informed of what transpired. I was told verbally that such re-enforcements as were deemed necessary to hold the position would be sent me.

I am, colonel, respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. S. FOSTER,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.