Bushrod R. Johnson to G. W. Brent, July 7, 1864

CoLONEL: I have the honor to inform you that no change on the part of the enemy has occurred in my front during the past twenty-four hours. Abatis have been placed nearly along the entire front of Ransom’s brigade; the front of Wise’s brigade is obstructed both by abatis and wire fencing. While at Walthall Junction, in May last, an officer from Richmond reported tome with what he called “subterraneous torpedoes.” I would respectfully suggest that these torpedoes might perhaps be used for the defense of our salients, and other points liable to attack. They doubtless can be obtained by application to Chief of Ordnance, at Richmond. I do not find that the duties of the provost guard are satisfactorily performed; some of the defects arise from the want of efficiency in officers or a want of industry and experience on their part; this I am endeavoring to correct in my command. I would suggest that patrols be each assigned to duty in certain districts, and that the system of posting sentinels be abandoned, or, if continued, that there be a regular line established along the plank road, as far as safety from the enemy’s fire will permit, and that the line, when necessary, be deflected to the rear. I find men from different commands occupying many of the deserted houses in east part of Petersburg, and you cannot pass the streets without finding soldiers without passes. Iam under the impres- sion that my division is, perhaps, the only one that is keeping up sen. tinel posts in rear of our line, at least I have failed to observe either patrols or sentinels from the provost guard of other divisions. I would respectfully urge that my inspector be relieved from his present duties with the provost guard, by a provost-marshal regularly detailed from the supernumerary or other officers of the line. Under the present system I regard my division inspector as entirely useless to me as a staff officer. By instructions from the Inspector-General he is not permitted to come forward to my headquarters near the line, yet his time seems imperfectly employed; practically the present system only removes the inspectors and their men from the dangerous vicinities. The number of staff officers allowed to a division commander is barely sufficient for duty on the lines, and I feel very much the want of the services of my acting inspector.

The following list of casualties is

respectfully submitted: Elliott's