to get a battle at once out of the enemy, I think we should advance to the Danville railroad, which will undoubtedly bring the enemy out of his entrenchments, and we can have an open fight. At present we cannot take much artillery with us, and would not need much in such a movement. We can't use any in advance directly on Petersburg. I think our plan should be to establish a good line across to the plank road, with a good sized fort at this point where we can leave our artillery and a supply of ammunition, and then take every available man and go to the Danville road. If we advance against Petersburg I venture to say that we shall fare no better than heretofore in such attempts east of the Jerusalem plank road.

G. K. WARREN,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
August 22, 1864. (Received 5.40 p.m.)

Major-General WARREN:

Don't overlook the destruction of the railroad within the limits of your pickets, which probably has not been destroyed by the railroad party.

A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS,

Numbers 206.
August 22, 1864.

1. Lieutenant Colonel W. A. Throop, First Regiment Michigan Volunteers is assigned to the command of the First Brigade, First Division, in place of Colonel W. S. Tilton, Twenty-second Massachusetts Volunteers, who is relieved and will proceed without delay to join his regiment at City Point.

* * * * * *

By command of Major-General Warren:

FRED. T. LOCKE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND CORPS,
August 22, 1864.

General WARREN:

When you move forward I am ordered to follow you. Please let me know when you move.

WINF'D S. HANCOCK,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS,
August 22, 1864-8.30 a.m.

General HANCOCK,

Commanding Second Army Corps:

GENERAL: I have received no orders to move my command from this position. I am only moving out my pickets and skirmish line.

Respectfully,

G. K. WARREN,

Major-General.