HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
September 19, 1864-2.20 p.m. (Received 2.30 p.m.)

Brigadier-General BENHAM,

Commanding Engineer Brigade, City Point:

The object of the presence of some cavalry force of the enemy about Sycamore Church not having been yet developed, the major-general commanding has requested Major-General Butler to send some infantry to be posted in the vicinity of Old Court-House on Bailey's Creek, to serve under your orders. General Butler has directed two brigades of infantry to report to you and informs the commanding general that he will or has telegraphed you to send a staff officer to meet the troops and conduct them to the position they are to occupy. The officer at Sycamore Church, in his morning report, stated that some force of the enemy was in front of that place, but that everything was quiet.

A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
September 19, 1864-2.50 p.m. (Received 3 p.m.)

Brigadier-General BENHAM,

Commanding Engineer Brigade, City Point:

Major Michler, acting chief engineer, has been directed to throw up a redoubt in the vicinity of Old Court-House that will serve as part of a line from Prince George Court-House to the Old Court-House, and also as part of a line from Point of Rocks to same place. The engineer officers will call on you for details for working parties from the force sent to occupy that point. Please furnish such as may be required.

A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.

CITY POINT, September 19, 1864-4 p.m.

(Received 7.15 p.m.)

General A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Chief of Staff:

Your dispatch was received about thirty minutes ago, as also one previously from General Butler. Both came to me while I was out selecting line of defense according to your order received about noon. I at once ordered an aide to pontoon bridge to meet the troops, with directions to post the largest brigade at Old Court-House, with one regiment in advance at the fork of the roads, about one-third of a mile south of Bailey's Creek, and the smaller brigade at Batte's house, one-third of a mile west, with one-half of a regiment in advance on Bailey's Creek crossing and one-half regiment on its right on the west. In the reconnaissance I have made I have selected, by your order received at noon, as the best line, and such as will keep an enemy full two miles from City Point at the least, on our right, the line from Bailey's Creek lower crossing by Old Court-House, the Knox house, and thence north along the second ridge for this camp, with a redoubt on the third ridge opposite the north end of the second ridge, which covers the cavalry hospitals and all our camps from right. I reconnoitered for an advance line, in case it should be required, and this should start, if required, in