HEADQUARTERS EIGHTEENTH ARMY CORPS, November 20, 1864-1.20 a. m.

Major-General BUTLER:

A deserter just in reports that he saw last night two brigades just arrived from Early's army encamped at Chaffin's Bluff.

G. WEITZEL,
Brevet Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS EIGHTEENTH ARMY CORPS, November 20, 1864.

Major-General BUTLER:

I have just received a commission a s major-general. I thank you sincerely for it.

G. WEITZEL,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS EIGHTEENTH CORPS, November 20, 1864.

Major-General BUTLER:

A deserter reports that two divisions of Early's army arrived Friday night and encamped four miles this side of Richmond; that Sheridan's army is supposed to be here or on the way here, and that Sherman is near Milledgeville, Ga.

G. WEITZEL,
Major-General.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, November 20, 1864.

Brevet Major-General WEITZEL:

General Butler believes that General Early's troops are in your front.

P. S. MICHIE,

Brevet Major, U. S. Army.

[First indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS EIGHTEENTH ARMY CORPS, November 20, 1864.

Brigadier-General DEVENS,
Commanding First Division:

The general commanding directs that you instruct your command and pickets to be on the alert.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

D. D. WHEELER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Second indorsement.]

HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, EIGHTEENTH ARMY CORPS, November 20, 1864.

Commanding officers will caution all regimental commanders that particular vigilance may be exercised to-night and to-morrow morning, as they will both be peculiarly adapted for a surprise.

By command of Brigadier-General Devens:

GEO. A. BRUCE.