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.
