a staff officer, with the two regiments, and they closed up before the regiments were assigned position. Please send this to General Birney. The enemy are moving troops in small bodies from left toward the right.

H. W. BIRCE,

Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND CORPS, July 28, 1864-8.45 a.m.

Brigadier General R. S. FOSTER,
Commanding at Deep Bottom:

GENERAL: Major-General Hancock requests that you will inform him what troops, if any, of your command are in the works at the lower bridge.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

FRANCIS A. WALKER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

NOTE.-The orderly will wait.

HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES,
Deep Bottom, Va., July 28, 1864. (Received 11 a.m.)

Lieutenant Colonel FRANCIS A. WALKER,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Second Army Corps:

COLONEL: Your note received. There are no troops of my command at the lower bridge. If General Hancock moves with his force and desires me to do so, I will send a force to hold it, and also make as strong a demonstration as possible on my front when you attack. Please send me word.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. S. FOSTER,

Brigadier-General.

HDQRS. THIRD Brigadier, FIRST DIV., TENTH ARMY CORPS,
Deep Bottom, July 28, 1864.

Major General W. S. HANCOCK,

Commanding Second Army Corps:

GENERAL: I am in receipt of your communication and have ordered a garrison for the works at lower bridge, from the Eleventh Maine Volunteers. I will as soon as possible make a demonstration with all the troops I can spare from my line. My lookouts report the enemy busily engaged in throwing up works in the field where the gun-boat is shelling.

Respectfully, yours,

R. S. FOSTER,

Brigadier-General.

HDQRS. THIRD Brigadier, FIRST DIV., TENTH ARMY CORPS,
Deep Bottom, Va., July 28, 1864-12.35 p.m.

Brigadier General G. WEITZEL,

Chief of Staff:

A note just received from Major-General Hancock states that the enemy have made a heavy attack on Sheridan's cavalry on the long