such large details, and to reaming the commanding general that the men on our front lines are constantly under fire, and such portions as come off the lines from time to time require rest and are not in condition to work.

A. E. BURNSIDE,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
August 13, 1864-3 p. m.

Major-General BURNSIDE,

Commanding Ninth Corps:

The major-general commanding directs me to say, in answer to your dispatch, that under existing circumstances it is necessary that the works in hand should be completed as speedily as practicable, and that the different corps must furnish every man that can be made available. It was intended to so inform the corps commanders previous to the engineers making the requisitions you mention, which the commanding general directs me to say are authorized.

A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,
August 13, 1864.

General HUMPHREYS:

The additional 400 men required by Captain Harwood cannot be furnished without taking men off the line. Six hundred men from the Second Division and the same number from the Third Division are at work to-day, and 1,000 men were at work from the Fourth Division last night and the same number to-night, and the First Division cannot furnish over 100 men without taking them from the line.

A. E. BURNSIDE,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
August 13, 1864-5.15 p. m.

General BURNSIDE:

Your dispatch of 4.45 p. m. has been submitted to the major-general commanding, who directs that the additional requisition of 400 men must be furnished. If a serious attack should be made, the details can quickly rejoin their commands.

A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,
August 13, 1864-9. p. m.

Major General A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Chief of Staff:

GENERAL: I have the honor to report myself in command of this corps, and nothing important has occurred on the lines during the last twelve hours.

O. B. WILLCOX,

Brigadier-General.