CITY POINT, VA., September 21, 1864.

Major-General BUTLER:

Further news from Sheridan is better than the first we heard. In pursuing the enemy up the Valley he may be induced to detach from here. Put every one on the lookout for any movements of the enemy. Should any force be detached we must either manage to bring them back or gain an advantage here.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE JAMES,
September 21, 1864-1.20 p.m.

Lieutenant-General GRANT, City Point:

Telegram received. Orders will be given for the utmost vigilance to watch any movement of the enemy and prompt advantage of it taken.

BENJ. F. BUTLER,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE JAMES,
September 21, 1864.

Lieutenant-General GRANT, City Point:

I have an old regiment dismounted-the First Maryland Cavalry. Our cavalry force is very much diminished here. Is it possible to mount them? May I request you to order the horses from the Cavalry Bureau to mount them? By an order of the War Department eight companies of our cavalry, armed with Henry rifles, have been ordered to the other army and these are to replace them.

Respectfully,

BENJ. F. BUTLER,

Major-General, Commanding.

CITY POINT, VA., September 21, 1864.

Major-General BUTLER:

Your request for horses to mount the First Maryland Cavalry will receive immediate attention.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

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

September 21, 1864. (Received 1.13 p.m.)

Lieutenant Colonel GEORGE A. KENSEL, Acting Chief of Staff:

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

A train of six cars loaded with troops toward Petersburg.

A. G. SIMONS,

Lieutenant and Acting Signal Officer.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. R. CLUM,

Captain and Chief Signal Officer.

(Above telegram repeated to General Grant by General Butler.)