Infantry, deserted while on picket, and was afterward wean in conversation with a mounted rebel officer. The brigades of Crawford's division and details from the other divisions, numbering together about 2,700 men, were at work yesterday on the defenses.

G. K. WARREN,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,
September 7, 1864.

General S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

I have the honor to report all quiet on my line during the last twenty-four hours. Scouts report the enemy's vedetted have fallen back. My troops occupy this morning the new line in the vicinity of the Williams house.

O. B. WILLCOX,

Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,
September 7, 1864.

Major-General HUMPHREYS:

Two deserters that left the rebel lines last night say that Hoke was lying in camp or in the trenches day before yesterday; that the rebel troops are stretched out in a single line watching us, and there are no reserves between Petersburg and here except two brigades.

O. B. WILLCOX,

Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,
September 7, 1864.

Brigadier-General POTTER,

Commanding Second Division:

GENERAL: The commanding general desires you to start a brigade of your troops toward the Williams house to halt until further directions at the small redoubt this side the "swale."

I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JNO. C. YOUNGMAN,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,
Near Blick's Station, Va., September 7, 1964.

Brigadier-General FERRERO,

Commanding Fourth Division, Ninth Army Corps:

GENERAL: The commanding general desires you to place one brigade of your troops in position, with its right resting at and including the redoubt half way between the Gurley house and the Williams house, with left extending the first redoubt on the plain upon