GENERAL: I have the honor to transmit the inclosed inspection reports for the month of August, and in doing so would respectfully submit a statement of facts explaining the delay as well as the incompleteness of the reports: ...

Third Corps, Lieut. Gen. A. P. Hill (Maj.R.J. Wingate, inspector).

This corps is stationed in the trenches in front of Petersburg, composing the right of our infantry line. ...

Between the 9th and 13th of August I inspected in the trenches under arms Heth's division. General Heth had but recently occupied the line, which he found in bad condition, having been badly policed, and full of individual bomb-proofs and covered ways that rendered it difficult to keep in good order. ...

Fry's brigade, commanded by Colonel Mayo, is composed of Archer's and Field's old brigades, with following regiments: First, Seventh, and Fourteenth Tennessee; Thirteenth Alabama; Second Maryland Battalion; Twenty-second, Fortieth, Forty-seventh, and Fifty-fifth Virginia Regiments. After the Pennsylvania campaign, Field's old brigade, commanded for some time by Colonel Brockenbrough, and what was left of Archer's after his capture at Gettysburg, were consolidated and placed under command of General H. H. Walker, who was wounded at Spotsylvania Court-House. Subsequently General Fry took command, but was himself wounded at ----. The day I inspected it, it was commanded Colonel Mayo. It by presented, as it had done at preceding inspections, but few evidences of discipline. In the Fourteenth and Seventh Tennessee guns and accouterments [in] fair condition. Thirteenth Alabama, Colonel Aiken, was in discreditable order; guns very rusty. ...

This brigade is now commanded by Brigadier-General Archer, who will doubtless improve the discipline and general condition of this command. The Tennesseeans have never been entirely satisfied since the consolidation. General Archer is almost idolized by them, and will, no doubt, harmonize the antagonisms that may have heretofore existed. Improvement is already apparent in this command since the date of my inspection, 13th of August (now 23d of September).

Heth's division hospital... We found the hospital well located in a very beautiful grove near Petersburg, with the ground sloping favorably for policing. With the exception of being too much crowded, the situation was a good one. The police was very bad. In fact, no attention seemed to be paid to cleaning up the grounds immediately in and about the hospital, nor was proper attention bestowed upon the sinks. The ground between the hospital and the sinks had been used for uncleanly purposes by the patients, making it offensive to the sight as well as the smell. In this important feature of cleanliness there was evident and inexcusable neglect in the management of this hospital. I found the sickness of this division was on the decrease and the diseases reported of a mild form. There was and had been a sufficient supply of medicines, except in Davis' brigade. Strength of division, 5,525; total number sick in hospital, 376; disabled, 32.

.... Archer's brigade, which heretofore has suffered from relaxation of discipline from causes referred to, will soon present a marked improvement under the commander of their choice. .... This division has done hard and distinguished service during the campaign, and has sustained very heavy losses. General Heth is active and energetic in the discharge of his duties, and is devoting himself with zeal to the improved efficiency of his command.

All of which is respectfully submitted.