HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, July 20, 1864-8 a. m.

Lieutenant-Colonel RICHMOND,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Ninth Corps:

COLONEL: I have the honor to report that no events of importance transpired during the night. The pickets heard the rebel reveille beat at 3 o'clock this morning.

Very respectfully,

O. B. WILLCOX,

Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, July 20, 1864-8 p. m.

Lieutenant Colonel L. RICHMOND,
Assistant Adjutant-General:

COLONEL: Details have employed to-day cutting new abatis, which will be laid soon after dark at points where it is weak. A mortar shell caused an explosion this afternoon in the rebel redoubt on left of New Market road. Captain Roemer threw a shell into a house in the rebel lines this evening, which set fire to the building. The shell was charged with inflammable material, mixed for the purpose by Roemer. He says "the first shot did the business."

Very respectfully,

O. B. WILLCOX,

Brigadier-General.

CITY POINT, VA., July 20, 1864.

Major-General BUTLER,

Commanding, &c.:

Can you tell me if recruiting is now going on from the prisoners of war at Point Lookout? I highly disapprove of recruiting from such sources, and even reluctantly admit of the propriety of enlisting deserters and refugees.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

JULY 20, 1864-9 a. m.

Lieutenant-General GRANT:

In answer to your telegram I have the honor to report that recruiting has stopped at Point Lookout. I am about to go to the front at Petersburg to-day. Shall I have the pleasure of meeting the lieutenant-general there?

Respectfully,

BENJ. F. BUTLER,

Major-General.

CITY POINT, July 20, 1864-11.30 a. m.

Major-General BUTLER:

I shall be engaged to-day, so that it will be doubtful about my going to the front. If I go, it will not be earlier than 3 p. m. I have relieved General Smith from command of the Eighteenth Corps, and shall place