HEADQUARTERS EIGHTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
October 16, 1864.

Lieutenant General U. S. GRANT:

Your dispatch received; I start at once for Aiken's Landing.

G. WEITZEL,

Brevet Major-General.

DUTCH GAP, VA., October 16 1864.

Colonel H. L. ABBOT,

Commanding Siege Artillery:

COLONEL: I have the honor to report considerable Coehorn firing by the enemy to-day; no damage done. With you consent shall place Lieutenant Pardee, assisted by Lieutenants Lewis and Woodruff, in charge of the work at Cox's Hill, and remain at Dutch Gap myself until the armament is entirely removed. They are all competent, faithful officers, and I can visit the fort once or twice a day in person.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. H. PIERCE,

Captain, First Connecticut Artillery.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA,
In the Field, October 16, 1864-9.18 p. m.

Major-General TERRY,

Tenth Corps:

General Butler went this evening to Fort Monroe, leaving a written order for me to take command of this army during his absence. Believing that you ranked me, I telegraphed to General Grant about it. He directs me to take command, saying that I now rank you because I was assigned to duty in my brevet rank before you were. I accordingly assume command.

G. WEITZEL,

Brevet Major-General.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA,
October 16, 1864. (Received 10.20 p. m.)

Major-General TERRY,

Tenth Corps:

I agree with you in all your view, and sincerely hope you will appeal the matter and have it settled. I stated these views to General Butler in person and to General Grant by telegraph, but both decided otherwise. You understand fully that I feel that I am thus placed in a very disagreeable position.

G. WEITZEL,

Brevet Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS TENTH ARMY CORPS,
In the Field, Va., October 16, 1864.

Lieutenant Colonel ED. W. SMITH,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Army of the James:

COLONEL: The Twenty-fourth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers is a regiment whose history does great honor to the State which sent