HEADQUARTERS,
In the Field, August 5, 1864-9 a. m.

Lieutenant General U. S. GRANT,

Washington, D. C.:

I sent Graham up and burnt Seddon's house in retaliation for burning the house of Mr. Blair. He went within a mile and a half of Fredericksburg and saw no enemy. All quiet.

BENJ. F. BUTLER,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS,
In the Field, August 5, 1864-9 a. m.

Honorable MONTGOMERY BLAIR:

I sent General Graham with the army gun-boats and burned Seddon's house near Fredericksburg in retaliation for the burning of yours. That house has been in our hands several times and has been spared.

BENJ. F. BUTLER,

Major-General.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SIGNAL OFFICER,
August 5, 1864-5 p. m.

Colonel J. W. SHAFFER,

Chief of Staff:

COLONEL: The signal officer at Spring Hill reports that at 4.45 p. m. "a train of sixteen cars, partly loaded with troops, passed the Junction toward Richmond."

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

L. B. NORTON,

Captain and Chief Signal Officer.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SIGNAL OFFICER,
August 5, 1864-5.30 p. m.

Colonel J. W. SHAFFER,

Chief of Staff:

COLONEL: The following message was signaled from the rebel signal station near Cox's Ferry, and read by the signal officer at the Water Battery:

Colonel M:

I have orders to open on any and everything, so you may expect to hear from us in a day or two.

S.,

Major.

Very respectfully, &c.,

L. B. NORTON,

Captain and Chief Signal Officer.