HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, OFFICE OF PROVOST-MARSHALL-GENERAL,
July 18, 1864.

Major-General HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff:

GENERAL: Seven deserters from the Sixty-fourth Georgia Regiment, Wright's brigade, Mahone's division, Hill's corps, came into our lines this morning from 2 to 3 o'clock. They bring no additional information. From their statements we should judge that their regiment was considerably demoralized. Many of them would desert if they dared to . They are nearly all conscripts, and were forced into the army against their will. They know nothing about the attack ordered last night, except mere rumor that there was to be one. We learn from one of them that a deserter from our army went over yesterday afternoon and gave himself up to their regiment. We cannot learn what regiment he is from. One of informants thinks he communicated something of importance concerning the attack and our preparations for it.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEORGE H. SHARPE,

Colonel, &c.

HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS, July 18, 1864 - 4 p. m.

Captain FISHER, Chief Signal Officer:

No change observed.

WARTS,
Lieutenant.

FIFTH CORPS SIGNAL STATION, July 18, 1864 - 4 p. m.

Major-General WARREN:

All quiet. At 11 this a. m. our batteries succeeded in setting on fire and destroying the large white house in rear of enemy's works and in front of extreme right of Fifth Corps. No movement observed.

WARTS,

Lieutenant.

(Same to Captain Fisher.)

PLANK ROAD SIGNAL STATION, July 18, 1864 - 9 a. m.

Captain G. F. FISHER:

All quiet. No change since yesterday. The enemy continue at work on their lines.

J. B. DUFF,

Signal Officer.

PLANK ROAD SIGNAL STATION, July 18, 1864 - 5 p. m.

Captain B. F. FISHER:

Nothing of importance to report to-day. Have seen no movement of troops or change in enemy's camps or line.

J. B. DUFF,

Second Lieutenant and Signal Officer.