HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, FIFTH CORPS,
Camp near Petersburg, August 8, 1864-8 p. m.

Lieutenant-Colonel LOCKE,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

COLONEL: Colonel Welch, commanding Third Brigade, reports a heavy column of the enemy moving to our left. They are plainly seen passing a large fire which is burning brightly. They are moving as though it was their intention to attack our left.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOS. J. BARTLETT,

Brigadier-General.

HDQRS. THIRTY-NINTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS,
August 8, 1864-7 p. m.

Captain GEORGE MONTEITH,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

CAPTAIN: A body of troops, say a brigade of infantry, have passed within an hour from the enemy's right to our right. A large fire is burning on their right, seemingly in front of their line of battle, which they seem to be endeavoring to extinguish; otherwise all quiet.

Respectfully,

CHAS. L. PEIRSON,

Lieutenant-Colonel and Division Field Officer of the Day.

HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,
Before Petersburg, Va., August 8, 1864-9 a. m.

Brigadier General S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Army of the Potomac:

GENERAL: I have the honor to report that nothing of interest has occurred on our line within the past twelve hours. The usual picket-firing took place during the night.

I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. E. BURNSIDE,

Major-General, Commanding.

By LEWIS RICHMOND,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[AUGUST 9, 1864.-For Stanton to Burnside, relative to composition of the Court of Inquiry ordered to examine into the affair of July 30, see Vol. XL, Part I, p. 532.]

HEADQUARTERS NINTH CORPS,
August 8, 1864.

Captain PARKER,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

Have you heard anything of General Grant yet?

A. E. BURNSIDE,

Major-General.