HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, July 17, 1864-10 p.m.

Major-General WARREN,
Commanding Fifth Corps:

The major-general commanding directs that you be prepared, in the event of an attack by the enemy and his repulse, and follow him up closely, and attack in turn and endeavor to enter his works at the same time he does.

A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.

CIRCULAR.
HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS,

No. 87. July 17, 1864.

The following changes of troops will be made to-night:

I. General Cutler will extend his line to the left, so as to relieve the Second Brigade of General Ayres' division.

II. General Ayres will extend his line to the left, so as to relieve the Eighteenth Massachusetts and the Sixteenth Michigan, and a part of the Eighty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers.

III. The troops relieved belonging to the First Division will be posted by General Griffin, so as to maintain his own position.

By command of Major-General Warren:

FRED. T. LOCKE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

CIRCULAR.] HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS, July 17, 1864-8 p.m.

The circular order for the movement of the troops of the First, Second, and Fourth Divisions is suspended for to-night. A rebel deserter just come in reports that the enemy design making an attack upon us to-night. Have everything in readiness to meet it; barricade the embrasures of the batteries where not occupied with guns; put all the men on the front line that can use their muskets,a nd have the reserves as close at hand as possible.

By command of Major-General Warren:

FRED. T. LOCKE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

CIRCULAR.] HEADQUARTERS FIFTH CORPS, July 17, 1864.

A report obtained from deserters has just been received from headquarters Army of the Potomac, of the same purport as that previously sent you, to wit, that the enemy are preparing to attack us to-night. The enemy have been clearing away the undergrowth in the ravine in our front to enable them to mass their troops. Any guns that can throw shells in the ravine during the night should be employed in this way. Banquettes for the infantry must be put in the parapets that have been fixed for artillery, and pains taken to prepare them, so that the men can shoot freely over the top. the men must be carefully instructed in the manner of delivering their fire, so as to reserve it for the main line in case it is preceded by a line of skirmishers.

By command of Major-General Warren:

FRED. T. LOCKE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.