command of all the troops belonging to this department occupying the line between the James and Appomattox Rivers, or stationed on the south bank of the last-named river, including the garrison of Redoubt Converse and the First Connecticut Artillery. All official communications and reports previously forwarded to department headquarters will pass through these headquarters.

R. Dale Benson, first lieutenant and aide-de-camp, is announced as acting assistant adjutant-general.

CHARLES G. GRAHAM,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

CITY POINT, October 18, 1864.

General WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

An order is now being issued attaching all the new organizations now serving with General Benham to the Army of the Potomac.

T. S. BOWERS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, OFFICE OF THE PROVOST-MARSHAL-GENERAL,
October 18, 1864.

Major-General HUMPHREYS,

Chief of Staff:

GENERAL: Four deserters received to-day represent Ransom's and Gracie's brigades, of Johnson's division, and Cooke's and Archer's brigades, of Heth's division. The position of their brigades is shown on the returned map. Tow regiments of Wise's brigade are detailed for building two forts in the rear of Ransom's brigade, on which they are at work at present. All the brigades are located on the returned map with considerable exactness, excepting, perhaps, the brigades of Davis, MacRae, and Lane. They are, however, approximately located. No reliable news from Whiting's division. It cannot have arrived in this vicinity without some definite information concerning it by this time.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JNumbers C. BABCOCK.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS,
October 18, 1864.

Lieutenant STRYKER:

Jordan, Strong, and Holman report all quiet. The same reported from Sergeant Carothers last night, but was left in my tent and I did not notice it until this morning.

I. THICKSTUN,

Captain and Acting Signal Officer.