HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
August 13, 1864-9.40 p. m.

Brigadier-General WILLCOX,

Ninth Corps:

Your dispatch in just received. The commanding general desires to know by what authority or under what circumstances you are in command of the Ninth Corps, as nothing to that effect has been received by him.

A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,
August 13, 1864-9.55 p. m.

General HUMPHREYS:

GENERAL: In reply to your dispatch of 9.40, this command was turned over to me this evening by General Burnside, who goes away under a leave of absence for twenty days, granted, as I understand, by Lieutenant-General Grant. I supposed, of course, it was known by the major-general commanding the army.

O. B. WILLCOX,

Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,
August 13, 1864-10 p. m.

Major-General MEADE:

I have turned over the command of this corps to General Willcox, having received permission from Lieutenant-General Grant to absent myself from this post. I supposed you knew of it.

A. E. BURNSIDE,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
August 13, 1864-10.15 p. m. (Received 10.20 p. m.)

Major-General BURNSIDE:

Your dispatch to the major-general commanding is received. He requests me to say he had no notice of your authority to be absent, but presumes it is all correct.

A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,
Before Petersburg, Va., August 13, 1864.

GENERAL: In anticipation of possible movements of the troops of a general character the brigadier-general commanding directs that the enemy's lines be watched closely and with the greatest scrutiny, and that every arrangement be made, with a view either to attack in front or to