HEADQUARTERS EIGHTEENTH ARMY CORPS, August 21, 1864.

(Received 3.50 p.m.)

General BUTLER:

I have asked General Grant for three batteries to replace three of General Parke's. He replies that you will let me have one and General Hancock the other two. Will the one from you arrive before night? My line now is between three and four miles long.

E. O. C. ORD,
Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS EIGHTEENTH ARMY CORPS, August 21, 1864-8.05 p.m.

General HUMPHREYS:

The following has just been received:

HEADQUARTERS FIFTH U. S. COLORED TROOPS, August 21, 1864-6.30 p.m.

GENERAL: An intelligent man, whom I have had in a tree top to-day to observe the motions of the enemy, reports that three bodies of rebels moved toward the left (our left) at 5 p.m. He thinks about a regiment in each body.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. W. SHURTLEEF,

Lieutenant-General Fifth U. S. Colored Troops.

E. O. C. ORD,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS EIGHTEENTH ARMY CORPS, August 21, 1864-10 p.m.

General HUMPHREYS:

I do not feel confident as to strength of my line if attacked vigorously, with two little reserves two miles apart and enemy only 200 yards off. Have made the best preparations I could. Shall

to-morrow take the Spencer carbines from my detachment of cavalry and put these arms in the trenches.

E. O. C. ORD,
Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, August 21, 1864-10.40 p.m.

Major-General ORD,

Commanding Eighteenth Corps:

The commanding general thinks it best that you should not weaken your line any further. He can get along very well without calling on you still more.

A. A. HUMPRHEYS,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS EIGHTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Near Petersburg, Va., August 21, 1864.

Colonel J. W. SHAFFER,

Chief of Staff, Department of Virginia and North Carolina:

COLONEL: I have to report that my corps in the last ten days has been reduced, principally by sickness, from the 10th to the 19th,

25 R R-VOL XLII, PT II