HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS, August 16, 1864-9.30 a.m.

General GRANT:

I omitted to state that the prisoners thus far taken on Charles City road are all cavalry of W. H. F. Lee's division.

WINF'D S. HANCOCK,
Major-General.

(Copy to General Meade.)

CITY POINT, August 16, 1864-10 a.m.

Major-General HANCOCK:

I have directed General Butler to make a demonstration of an advance with his troops at Dutch Gap. You will perceive this threatens their retreat on Chaffin's Bluff, whilst your forces near White's Tavern threaten their retreat toward Richmond.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS,
August 16, 1864. (Received 12.20 p.m.)

General GRANT:

The provost-marshal at Deep Bottom says that an officer from the enemy's lines opposite communicated with him to exchange papers this morning. He belonged to the Twenty-ninth Tennessee, and says that the Seventeenth, of the same State, is with them. They belonged to Longstreet's corps, but I do not find them on the memorandum furnished me of Field's division. He say that the enemy are expecting a flag of truce to-day at Aiken's Landing.

WINF'D S. HANCOCK,

Major-General.

(Copy to General Meade.)

HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS,

August 16, 1864. (Received 12.20 p.m.)

General GRANT:

Your dispatch have been received. General Birney is advancing in three lines and will make a vigorous attack. If the enemy will make a fight where Birney is I will put in my whole force. If they, however,