HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, SECOND CORPS,
August 23, 1864-7.20 p.m.

Major General A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Chief of Staff, Army of the Potomac:

GENERAL: Officers in my front line report the enemy have taken down tents in the works and on the picket-line, and that something more than usual seems to be going on. It may be they are to be relieved by other troops. I have given orders for increased vigilance, and will report if anything transpires that will be of service to the major-general commanding.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

G. MOTT,

Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, SECOND CORPS,
August 23, 1864.

Colonel R. McALLISTER,

Commanding Third Brigade:

COLONEL: In cease of an attack on the First Brigade, you will be prepared to move with your whole force to General De Trobriand's support.

By command of Brigadier-General Mott:

JOHN HANCOCK,

Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS,
August 23, 1864-8.30 a.m.

Major-General MEADE:

I have all my command at work straightening out the line, putting in flanking batteries, slashing, and constructing abatis. I have no doubt I can get along now under any attack without the assistance of the Second Corps, so that force can be used anywhere else. I am also completing the destruction of the railroad toward Petersburg. All is quiet here.

G. K. WARREN,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.

August 23, 1864-10 a.m.

Major-General WARREN:

Can you not, that the line from the Strong house is completed, hold your position securely with only the Ninth Corps by making this line as strong as possible with slashings, abatis, &c.? It could be held with the colored division and one of white troops, having two divisions of white troops available as reserves. Also strengthening the Fifth Corps line with abatis, &c., would preserve portions of it. Deserters last night say Mahone returned night before last to the trenches near the plank road. I think the enemy did abandon offensive movements, but he may resume them. It is important to destroy as much as pos-