HEADQUARTERS EIGHTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
August 25, 1864.

Brigadier General A. AMES,

Commanding Second Division:

GENERAL: General Ord wishes you to march your men through the ravine or valley a little to the left of his headquarters, and all the way to cover them, if possible, from the enemy. Relieve your division this morning from the trenches if you can do so with safety, and march them across the Appomattox as fast as you can do so. Please report as you start. Be careful to prevent straggling.

Respectfully,

S. S. SEWARD,

Major and Aide-de-Camp.

HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, EIGHTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Near Hatcher's, August 25, 1864.

Lieutenant Colonel E. W. SMITH,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Tenth Corps:

COLONEL: I have the honor to report that the three brigades of my command are in line at proper intervals from Battery Numbers 6, on the right, to the Appomattox River, ready to move to any point at a moment's notice in case they should be called upon to resist an attack.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. AMES,

Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS TENTH ARMY CORPS,
August 25, 1864.

Major-General ORD,

Commanding Eighteenth Army Corps:

Brigadier-General Ames directs me to inform you that his command reached the brigade at 10.40. The command was all up; very little straggling. General Ames intends crossing at once, and will report temporarily to Major-General Birney.

W. H. ABEL,

Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS TENTH ARMY CORPS,
August 25, 1864.

Brigadier-General AMES,

Commanding Division, Eighteenth Army Corps:

GENERAL: Brigadier-General Birney's command is ordered to return to the intrenchments. He will take position on the left, relieving your force, so that you can have ample reserves for the exposed points near the center.

By order of Major-General Birney:

ED. W. SMITH,

Assistant Adjutant-General.