DUTCH GAP, VA., September 21, 1864.

Colonel HENRY L. ABBOT,

Commanding Siege Artillery:

COLONEL: I have the honor to report that the enemy have fired as usual to-day, doing but little damage. Most of their mortar shells burst in and around my right battery. As long they direct their attention there I am satisfied, and the labor on the canal need not be interrupted. Their light pieces do no hurt, except to the men, who return their fire.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. H. PIERCE,

Captain, First Connecticut Artillery.

HEADQUARTERS TENTH ARMY CORPS,
September 21, 1864.

Brigadier-General WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

Nothing of importance on my line. The work on it is progressing with great rapidity. The salute was fired and with considerable effect on the enemy's work. A detailed report will be forwarded. The enemy responded feebly.

D. B. BIRNEY,

Major-General.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA,
In the Field, September 21, 1864.

Major General D. B. BIRNEY,

Commanding Tenth Army Corps:

GENERAL: The major-general commanding the department direct me to request you to keep a close watch to see if you can discover any movements of the enemy, and, if so, to report them at once to these headquarters. This precaution will be continued for several days to come.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. S. DAVIS,

Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. LIGHT ARTILLERY Brigadier, TENTH ARMY CORPS,
Before Petersburg, Va., September 21, 1864.

Captain CHARLES H. GRAVES,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Tenth Army Corps:

CAPTAIN: The following report of the operations of the artillery during the last twenty-four hours is submitted: A salute of ten shotted guns from each piece of artillery on the line was fired at sunrise this morning. I have not as yet ascertained the effect produced on the enemy's works, nor can I in this report give the exact expenditure of ammunition. One hundred and forty-one rounds were fired yesterday and last night and working parties of the enemy were dispersed by the shrapnel used.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. H. JACKSON,

Lieutenant Colonel, Assistant Inspector-General and Chief of Artillery.

61 R R-VOL XLII, PT II