it will be more available as a support. One brigade of the First Division will be moved to the vicinity of the Chieves house to-day, the remainder of the division following as soon as the line is completed.

WINF'D S. HANCOCK,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS,
September 8, 1864.

General HUMPHREYS:

To deserters from Finegan's brigade came in this morning. They left their line about two hours before daylight and report that they know of no movement of troops whatever, and have heard nothing of Longstreet's troops except that they are in the Valley.

WINF'D S. HANCOCK,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
September 8, 1864. (Sent 8.30 p. m.)

Major-General HANCOCK,

Commanding Second Corps:

The latest information is believed to establish as tolerably certain that no part of Early's troops have passed through Richmond or Petersburg. Both divisions may therefore be returned to their former positions, as the work they were assigned is not now one of immediate necessity and can be finished by details sent from the old camps.

A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS,
September 8, 1864.

Brigadier-General MILES,

Commanding First Division:

GENERAL: The major-general commanding desires you to make arrangements to move one brigade near the Chieves hose this afternoon, to camp so as to be available readily as a support to General Mott. The brigade will be followed by the rest of the division as soon as the line on which it is working is completed.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. P. WILSON,

Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, SECOND CORPS,
September 8, 1864.

Captain W. P. WILSON,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Second Army Corps:

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report, for the information of the major-general commanding, that a part of the picket-line opposite my