HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, NINTH ARMY CORPS,
Before Petersburg, Va., August 7, 1864.

Lieutenant Colonel L. RICHMOND,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Ninth Army Corps:

COLONEL: I have the honor to report all quiet in my front for the past twelve hours, except a fierce mortar-firing about 4 p. m., lasting about one hour, causing several casualties, among which, I regret to say, was the death of Major Charles Chipman, Twenty-ninth Massachusetts Volunteers, commanding Fourteenth New York Heavy Artillery.

I am, colonel, very respectfully, you obedient servant,

J. WHITE,

Brigadier-General, Commanding Division.

Major Chipman was not instantly killed, but can only live a few hours, as a large piece of shell passed through his head.

HDQRS. FIRST Brigadier, SECOND DIV., NINTH ARMY CORPS,
Near Petersburg, Va., August 7, 1864.

Colonel LEWIS RICHMOND,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Ninth Army Corps:

COLONEL: I have the honor to report that nothing unusual occurred in this front during my tour as general of the trenches. Along the entire front parties are at work strengthening the line. In the First Division a traverse is completed, enabling the pickets to be relieved without exposure. In the Second Division abatis is being put in position, trenches widened, and traverses built. The Third Division are strengthening their lines, and running a gallery on their right to discover if the enemy is mining their line. A large detail is at work enlarging and strengthening the fourteen-gun battery.

I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Z. R. BLISS,

Colonel, Commanding Brigade, General of the Trenches.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, NINTH ARMY, CORPS,
Before Petersburg, Va., August 7, 1864.

Lieutenant Colonel LEWIS RICHMOND,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Ninth Army Corps:

SIR: I have the honor to report all quiet on my front; the usual picket-firing still continues. Brigadier-General Hartranft, with First Brigade, relieved the Second Brigade on the line last night.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

O. B. WILLCOX,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
August 7, 1864-8 p. m.

Brigadier-General GREGG,

Commanding Cavalry:

GENERAL: The commander of the cavalry brigade picketing on our left has furnished no report since relieving the brigade of the Third Cavalry Division. Please direct him to report, as before, anything important

6 R R-VOL XLII, PT II