AUGUST 19, 1864 - 10 a. m.

Lieutenant-Colonel COMSTOCK,

City Point:

Bridge will be ready at 8 p. m. There are two approaches on the north side of river - one very steep, directly up the hill, the other round the base of the bluff; the last fit for artillery and wagons, the first entirely practicable for infantry. I would suggest that General Hancock send a staff officer to direct the wagons and artillery by the latter road, and if the former gets choked it will entirely block the column by that route.

B. F. BUTLER,

Major-General.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SIGNAL OFFICER,
August 19, 1864.

General U. S. GRANT:

The following rebel signal messages were intercepted by the signal officer at the Mills house, on south bank of the Appomattox, two miles above Spring Mill:

ARCHER'S HOUSE STATION, August 19, 1864.

O. O. U. C.

Assistant Adjutant-General, Petersburg:

Colonel Simmins, commanding General Thomas' brigade, reports that his sharpshooters stationed near pontoon bridge say that stragglers were crossing toward Prince George from daylight and are still passing, and about 7 a. m. a brigade of infantry went the same way.

K.

ARCHER'S HOUSE STATION, August 19, 1864 - 10 a. m.

PETERSBURG STATION:

What is the news from the fight to-day? Is the Weldon railroad cut?

K.

Answer from Petersburg:

Have no news. The road is cut.

O. A. U.

B. F. BUTLER,

Major-General.

CITY POINT, VA., August 19, 1864.

Major-General BUTLER,

Commanding, &c.:

Have you positive evidence of the presence of Picket's division anywhere on your front? I ask because General Halleck telegraph that evidence which has heretofore proven reliable reports the whole of Longstreet's corps moving from Culpeper into the Valley. I know Field's division is here.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.