HEADQUARTERS,
October 19, 1864.

Lieutenant-General GRANT:

It is impossible to undermine Fort Harrison from the conformation of the ground.

BENJ. F. BUTLER,

Major-General, Commanding.

PHILADELPHIA, October 19, 1864-1.30 p. m.

Major-General BUTLER:

Major-General Birney died at 10 p. m. yesterday. Funeral, Friday, 2 p. m.

CHAS. H. GRAVES,

Assistant Adjutant-General and Aide-de-Camp.

[Indorsement.]

Forwarded for the information of Lieutenant-General Grant.

BENJ. F. BUTLER,

Major-General, Commanding.

IN THE FIELD, October 19, 1864.

Honorable SIMON CAMERON:

MY DEAR SIR: Will you not come down and see me, wherever I may be, as soon as the election is over? I have something to say to you which I think may be for yours, mine, and the country's benefit, and who else do we care for? I congratulate the "chairman" on the success of the election. Let me know by telegraph when you intend to come.

Yours, truly,

BENJ. F. BUTLER.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SIGNAL OFFICER,
October 19, 1864.

Lieutenant Colonel GEORGE A. KENSEL, Chief of Staff:

COLONEL: The signal officer in front of Eighteenth Army Corps reports for the day as follows:

Enemy clearing the woods in front of their rifle-pits on the left of Fort Johnson and placing abatis in front of Fort Henry. Palisades are being built in Fort Gilmer. Negroes at work on same line as reported yesterday.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. R. CLUM,

Captain and Chief Signal Officer.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SIGNAL OFFICERS,
October 19, 1864.

Lieutenant Colonel GEORGE A. KENSEL, Chief of Staff:

COLONEL: The signal officer at James River tower reports for the day as follows:

Three heavy guns mounted in work to enemy's right of Cox's Ferry. Distance from ferry about 1,600 yards, direction from here (the tower) west-northwest, distant