HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SIGNAL OFFICER,
July 18, 1864.

Colonel J. W. SHAFFER,

Chief of Staff:

COLONEL: The following messages have been received this morning from station of observation on the river-bank, Spring Hill, and are respectfully forwarded for information of the general commanding:

7.03 A. M.

Captain NORTON:

Eleven freight-cars, empty, and two passenger-cars, partly loaded with citizens, toward Petersburg.

SIMONS,

Lieutenant.

7.45 A. M.

Captain NORTON:

Three open cars, with working parties on board, toward Petersburg.

SIMONS,

Lieutenant.

9 A. M.

Captain NORTON:

About 200 mounted men hurrying toward Petersburg from direction of Richmond.

BAIRD,

In charge of station.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

L. B. NORTON,

Captain and Chief Signal Officer, Dept. of Va. and N. C.

HEADQUARTERS TENTH ARMY CORPS,
July 18, 1864 (Received 6.50 a. m.)

Brigadier-General WEITZEL:

Everything quiet. I have directed the troops to return to their camp.

W. T. H. BROOKS,

Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS TENTH ARMY CORPS,
July 18, 1864 (Received 8.07 a.m.)

General WEITZEL:

I have official notification of the acceptance of my resignation. I relinquish the command to General Terry.

W. T. H. BROOKS,

Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS,
In the Field, near Point of Rocks, Va., July 18, 1864.

General W. T. H. BROOKS:

MY DEAR GENERAL: As our very agreeable official relations are to now close I trust our equally pleasant personal ones may never do so. Permit me to express to you my appreciation of your merits as a soldier and qualities as an officer and gentleman. You are aware that I did