HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Major-General WARREN, Commanding Fifth Army Corps: July 25, 1864. Some days ago you presented an application for authority to break up the Fourth Division of your corps, which, you were informed in reply, the commanding general was not then prepared to grant. I am now directed to ask that you will submit, for the consideration of the commanding general, a statement showing the details of vour plan for the reorganization of your command. Very respectfully, &c., General WILLIAMS: S. WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS, I have to report all quiet in front to-day. This morning the enemy struck their tents in front of my left. This evening they pitched again and had dress parade. General MEADE, G. K. WARREN, HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS, I just sent you the Richmond Enquirer of the 25th, giving Hood's official report. He says he captured 2,000 prisoners, 22 guns, and 5 stand of colors. The paper also says they have discovered certain strategic movements of General Grant, and made preparations to meet them. [Indorsement.] G. K. WARREN, HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Lieutenant-General GRANT: I send this dispatch for what it is worth. The paper referred to I will send to-morrow. GEO. G. MEADE, General WILLIAMS, HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS, Assistant Adjutant-General: I have the honor to report the usual state of affairs on my line during the night, there being the same amount of musketry firing, notwithstanding the rain and darkness. The men suffered considerably in the trenches from the rain. A. E. BURNSIDE, HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS, Major-General HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff: July 25, 1864. There are evidences that the enemy are approaching quite near the mine, and it seems to me to be of the greatest importance that if the mine is to be used at all it should be exploded as soon as possible. The mine can be charged certainly within twenty-four hours after the powder arrives here. From a new signal station we have opened a large rebel reserve camp of 6,000 or 8,000 men was observed in the rear of Warren's right. Our heavy battery threw some shells in that direction, two of which exploded in the midst of the camp, creating much confusion. We will open again on them as soon as the atmosphere permits further observations. A. E. BURNSIDE, General WILLIAMS: HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS, July 25, 1864. I asked a few days ago to have Capt. Charles B. Amory, assistant adjutant-general, assigned to me. He had been ordered to the Tenth Corps. On reporting he found his place filled by another. General Butler has, I believe, given assent to his transfer to me. Will you please request General Grant to direct him to report to you and then will you assign him to this corps? A. E. BURNSIDE, HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Major-General BURNSIDE: If you will send in a formal application for Capt. Charles B. Amory, assistant adjutant-general, the commanding general will approve and forward it to General Grant. S. WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant-General. General WILLIAMS, HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS, Assistant Adjutant-General. I have the honor to report no change on my lines. A shell from ore of our batteries blew up a magazine or caisson in the rebel redoubt left of the New Market road. From the explosion it was thought to be a magazine. There has been more than usual shelling by the enemy late this afternoon, A. E. BURNSIDE, HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., FOURTH DIV., NINTH ARMY CORPS, [Lieut. Col. L. RICHMOND,] Assistant Adjutant-General : SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report and suggestions as the result of my tour of duty, commencing at 8 a. m. 24th and ending at 8 this a. m. Visited and passed along the front and second lines; found the sanitary condition of the pits and vicinity in pretty good condition; men generally vigilant and at their places. Nothing special occurred; all quiet along the lines; only the usual picket-firing. I would make the suggestion that a few small guns be placed toward the left of the front line, so as to enfilade that portion of the line in front of General Hartranft's brigade. I would further suggest that the traverses along some portion of the first line be raised higher and some of them strengthened. This being done some might be taken out, thereby giving more room for troops to pass, and further, that a great portion of the front line should be deepened and widened, so as to enable troops to pass more readily, also that instead of having tents pitched across the pits and in rear that there be bombproof places dug in rear of the pits. This would make the men more comfortable, besides protecting them from the fire of the enemy. Owing to the heavy rain of last night the works were rendered very uncomfortable and will require draining. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. K. SIGFRIED, CIRCULAR.] HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS, Before Petersburg, Va., July 25, 1864. The commanding general directs that the commanding officers of divisions cause an examination of the front line to be made with the view to raising and strengthening such traverses as may require it, which may allow of some of them being taken out, and also of widening and deepening a great portion of the same line and digging bombproofs in the rear of the pits, which would do away with the tents over the pits. This work might be done in the daytime. By command of Major-General Burnside: LEWIS RICHMOND, HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, NINTH ARMY CORPS, Lieut. Col. L. RICHMOND, Assistant Adjutant-General: COLONEL: I have the honor to report that everything has been quiet along my line during the past twelve hours. The First Brigade was relieved from duty in the front line of breast-works by the Second Brigade last evening. I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, NINTH ARMY CORPS, Lieut. Col. L. RICHMOND, Assistant Adjutant-General, Ninth Corps: COLONEL: I have the honor to report everything quiet in my front during the last twelve hours. The enemy threw a number of shell considerably to the rear of the second line toward sunset, and about the same time there was an explosion, apparently opposite General Potter's front, followed by cheering. The cause of this I was not able to ascertain. I am, colonel, very respectfully, you obedient servant, HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, NINTH CORPS, Colonel RICHMOND, Assistant Adjutant-General: Very respectfully, O. B. WILLCOX, HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, July 25, 1864-8 p. m. Lieutenant-Colonel RICHMOND, A. A. G., Ninth Corps: COLONEL: I have the honor to report that considerable mortar-firing, more than usual, on the part of the rebels, and also firing from a battery on our left, heretofore silent, took place this p. m., to which our batteries replied with good effect. A shell from Captain Smiley's mortar battery blew up a magazine in the rebel work left of New Market road. The explosion was greater than either of the previous, causing loud cheering in our lines. I have before applied for more mortars, and would again urge the propriety of availing ourselves of our superior resources to gain advantage over the rebels in this respect. At pres ent the number of mortars on both sides seems equal. Very respectfully, O. B. WILLCOX, General WHITE: HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS, July 25, 1864. The commanding general desires you to direct Colonel Sigfried to report in person at once to General Willcox. He is now at these headquarters. He will have his command in readiness to move. Very respectfully, LEWIS RICHMOND, HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Major-General SHERIDAN, Cavalry Corps: You will make the necessary arrangements to move with two divisions of your command, yourself commanding in person, to-morrow afternoon at such time as will enable you to reach the bridge directed to be thrown across the Appomattox at Broadway Landing at dark, taking care that your movement is not exposed to the view of the enemy. After crossing the Appomattox you will move over to Deep Bottom, there crossing the James on the lower bridge, taking care in this movement to keep off the road which the infantry will take from the Point of Rocks bridge to the upper bridge at Deep Bottom. After crossing the James you will proceed to execute the orders of the lieutenant-general commanding, a copy of which is herewith inclosed, and which are so complete in details as not to render any additional instructions from these headquarters necessary. In all co-operating movements with the infantry you will be governed by the orders of Major-General Hancock, commanding Second Corps, to whom you will please report your progress and all important information when separated from him. You will report the name of the division commander left at Light-House Point. GEO. G. MEADE, Major-General, Commanding. HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Major-General HUMPHREYS: I have the honor to inform you that I will leave the Third Cavalry Division here, Brigadier-General Wilson commanding. P. H. SHERIDAN, Major-General, Commanding. HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., FIRST DIV., CAVALRY CORPS, Picket Reserve, near R. Williams', July 25, 1864-7 a. m. Brig. Gen. S. WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant-General, Army of the Potomac : GENERAL: I have the honor to report no material change along my lines during the past twenty-four hours. The enemy have a strong infantry line in my front in the vicinity of the Gurley house. I have also the honor to report that the enemy have re-established their picket post at Lee's Mill. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Jordan's Point, July 25, 1864. Brig. Gen. J. H. WILSON, Commanding Third Cavalry Division: GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs that you detail two regiments of your division to relieve two regiments of General Gregg's See p. 437, |