HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, OFFICE OF CHIEF QUARTERMASTER, September 18, 1864-12 p.m.

Colonel P. P. PITKIN,
Chief Quartermaster, City Point:

The enemy are reported to be massing troops in front of General Kautz, and the general directs that a train of twenty-five to thirty cars be held ready at City Point for the purpose of moving troops to that place if ordered at any time before morning.

R. N. BATCHELDER,

Colonel, Chief Quartermaster, Army of the Potomac.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, PROVOST-MARSHAL-GENERA'S DEPARTMENT, September 18, 1864.

Major-General HUMPHREYS,
Chief of Staff:

GENERAL: Two deserters from the Eighth Georgia Regiment, of Anderson's brigade, Field's division, were forwarded last evening from the Fifth Army Corps. Their statement was not sent in last evening through forgetfulness. They state that the two brigades of Field's division (Benning's and Gregg's) that have been of late on the north side of the James have rejoined their division, which is now on the south side the Appomattox on the extreme right of the enemy's line; that Anderson's brigade was not permanently attached to Wilcox's division, and still belongs to Field's division - all reports of the brigade are still made to General Field; that their new line extends as far as Reams' Station, but cannot definitely locate it - it is to prevent our advance on the South Side Railroad; that our deserters reported that we contemplated an advance on the South Side Railroad, and that the movements would be made on Friday, the 16th instant.

Very respectfully, your obedient,

JNO. C. BABCOCK.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, September 18, 1864.

Major-General HUMPHREYS,
Chief of Staff:

GENERAL: Three deserters from Bushrod Johnson's division have just been forwarded from the Tenth Army Corps - two from the Forty-third Alabama, Gracie's brigade, and one from Thirty-north Virginia, Wise's brigade. They came in about daylight this a.m. Johnson's division is posted from right to left as follows: Gracie, Ransom, Elliott, and Wise, extending from the Burnside mine to Appomattox. This division cannot be over 5,000 strong. Informants put Wise's brigade at 550 for duty and Gracie's at 1,200. Ransom's is about 1,600, and Evans' 2,000 before the recent fight. They can give no additional information of other parts of the line, and do not know where Hoke's division went to, except that it had gone to the Weldon railroad.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JNO. C. BABCOCK.