and artillery passing two hours to my front. I send another flag, captured this morning. Four more are reported. I have not seen them. I would like a statement of previous flags turned over.

D. B. BIRNEY,

Major-General.

WINF'D S. HANCOCK,

Major-General.

(Copy to General Meade.)

HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS, August 16, 1864-7 p.m.

General GRANT:

This evening General Mott, by making a strong demonstration on the enemy's right, brought off the gun left by General Birney day before yesterday, together with three loads of ammunition which have been covered by the enemy since that time. The gun was an 8-inch siege howitzer, and the ammunition belongs to guns of that caliber.

WINF'D S. HANCOCK,
Major-General.

(Copy to General Meade.)

CITY POINT, August 16, 1864.

General HANCOCK:

I send for your information the following dispatch from General Butler.*

The position secured by General Butler may turn the whole position now held by the enemy. I will have it examined in the morning, and if it does will transfer a portion of your command to it.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS, August 16, 1864.

General GRANT:

My casualties to-day in the entire command, including cavalry, at the minimum, 1,500.

WINF'D S. HANCOCK,
Major-General.

(Same to General Meade.)

CITY POINT, August 16, 1864. (Received 9.30 p.m.)

General HANCOCK:

I have ordered to Strawberry Plains steamers ostensibly to bring down the Second Corps. It is intended as a ruse to make the enemy believe you are withdrawing, and to bring them out to attack you. Send orders to the steamers to return here at 4 a.m. in the morning.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

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*See Butler to Grant, beginning-As soon as arrangements, &c., p.232.

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