lines, and asking for one division of General Birney's command, which I have ordered, he fearing attack either to-day or to-night. Deserters say that Mahone's division was relieved by Pickett's which was cut up in the appears in to-day's Examiner, which I have sent you. That there has been some change in my front between the James and Appomattox would appear from the fact that for the first time in many weeks picket-firing was started on our left near Port Walthall.

BENJ. F. BUTLER,

Major-General.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA,
In the Field, August 24, 1864-2.06 p. m.

Lieutenant General U. S. GRANT,

City Point:

Order was sent this morning for one division to move, and I suppose it is en route. I will hurry it along.

BENJ. F. BUTLER,

Major-General, Commanding.

SPRING HILL, August 24, 1864-7.30 a. m.

Captain NORTON,

Chief Signal Officer:

A train of ten cars, partly loaded with troops, just passed the Junction toward Petersburg.

SIMONS,

Lieutenant and Signal Officer.

SPRING HILL, AUGUST 24, 1864.

Captain NORTON:

All quiet on our picket-line now. A large addition to our picket arrived just now.

SIMONS,

Lieutenant and Signal Officer.

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

August 24, 1864-3.50 p. m.

Colonel J. W. SHAFFER,

Chief of Staff:

COLONEL: The following rebel signal dispatch was intercepted by the officer on Mills' house station:

ARCHER'S HOUSE, August 24, 1864-1.30 p. m.

Colonel B.,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Petersburg:

Colonel Jordan reports the enemy in heave force on our right (in his front) near Swift Creek. From our present observations we have just seen three regiments pass an open s[pace to our left of Cobb's, going to their front in Chesterfield.

R.,

Sergeant at C.

Respectfully, 7c.,

L. B. NORTON,

Captain and Chief Signal Officer.