HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA,
ARMY OF THE JAMES,

In the Field, January 23, 1865-10.10 p. m.

General DEVENS,

Twenty-fourth; Army Corps:

The enemy's cavalry in our front moved to-day with three days' rations. This, with other information, indicates some move on the part of the enemy. The commanding general directs that you have your command, and particularly your picket-line, on the alert to-morrow morning.

JNO. W. TURNER,

Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.

(Copy to General Heckman, Twenty-fifth Army Corps.)

HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-FOURTH ARMY CORPS,
January 23, 1865.

Bvt. General T. M. HARRIS,

Commanding Independent Division:

GENERAL: The cavalry report the enemy moving to our right. Have your brigades in reserve ready to be thrown forward to Camp Holly, Spring Hill, or any portion of the line at the right which may be threatened. Send word to your brigade at the front.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

CHARLES DEVENS,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-FOURTH ARMY CORPS,
January 23, 1865.

Brigadier-General HARRIS,

Commanding Independent Division:

You will have your troops in line half an hour earlier than usual to-morrow morning, and will take any other precautionary measures that you may think necessary.

By command of Brigadier-General Devens:

EDWARD MOALE,

Captain, Aide-de-Camp and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

WILLARD'S, January 23, 1865.

Major General G. WEITZEL:

MY DEAR WEITZEL:* I am afraid you have been annoyed lest I might possibly think that advice at Fort Fisher was not such as I ought to have acted upon. Let me assure you that I have never, in any moment, amid the delightful stream of obloquy which is pouring upon me, doubted the military sagacity of the advice you gave, or the propriety of my action under it. Indeed, my friend, I am glad I was there to act as a shield to a young officer, in a moment of fearful responsibility, from the consequences of a proper act which might have injured him in his profession, but which cannot harm me who have a different one. The judgment of cool reason hereafter will

---------------

* Some purely personal matter omitted.

---------------