HEADQUARTERS SECOND DIVISION CAVALRY,
September 18, 1864

Colonel C. H. SMITH,

Commanding, Second Brigadier, Second Div., Cav., Army of the Potomac:

COLONEL: The general commanding directs that you have your command saddled at daylight to-morrow (September 19, 1864). You are also directed to send a reconnaissance of about one battalion to Proctor's and one down on Gary's Church road. These parties must start about one hour before the break of day.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. C. WEIR,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

IN THE FIELD, September 18, 1864-12 m.

Lieutenant-General GRANT:

(Care of Major-General Wallace, Baltimore.)

All perfectly quiet. The cattle were not recaptured. Deserters are coming in, all reporting exertions making to fill up the army. No change in disposition of troops in our front. No cannonading of consequence during the morning or last evening. Line repaired and working to Fortress Monroe.

BENJ. F. BUTLER,

Major-General.

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

September 18, 1864.

Lieutenant Colonel GEORGE A. KENSEL,

Acting Chief of Staff:

COLONEL: The following message has just been received from Spring Hill:

A train of six freight and two passenger cars, heavily loaded with troops, toward Petersburg.

SIMONS,

Lieutenant, Signal Officer.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. R. CLUM,

Captain and Chief Signal Officer.

DUTCH GAP, VA., September 18, 1864

Colonel HENRY L. ABBOT,

Commanding Siege Artillery:

COLONEL: I have the honor to report that the enemy have fired all day, wounding two men in the canal. Am of the opinion that the quickest and best way to stop their firing altogether is to send fifty men across and capture their pieces. Think it could be done.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. H. PIERCE,

Captain, First Connecticut Artillery.