HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,
January 29, 1865. (Received 2.25 p. m.)

Major-General PARKE,

Commanding:

Signal officer reports the firing commenced by Battery 5, replied to by Goose Neck, and shared by others in the vicinity.

O. B. WILLCOX,

Brevet Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,
January 29, 1865. (Received 3.10 p. m.)

Bvt. Major General A. S. WEBB:

Two deserters from the enemy. One of our men missing from our lines; supposed to have deserted from Twenty-ninth Massachusetts to the rebels.

O. B. WILLCOX,

Brevet Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,
January 29, 1865. (Received 6.20 p. m.)

Bvt. Major General A. S. WEBB,

Chief of Staff, Army of the Potomac:

I learn unofficially that a soldier deserted to the enemy across the river on the ice at daylight this morning, belonging to First Connecticut Artillery. He probably carried information of our placing heavy gun in McGilvery last night. Much of the enemy's firing this morning was directed at that fort.

O. B. WILLCOX,

Brevet Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,
January 29, 1865. (Received 3.30 p. m.)

Major-General PARKE,

Commanding:

Alexander H. Stephens, R. M. T. Hunter, and J. A. Campbell desire to cross my lines, in accordance with an understanding claimed to exist with Lieutenant-General Grant, on their way to Washington as peace commissioners. Shall they be admitted? They desire an early answer, and to come through immediately; would like to reach City Point to-night. If they cannot do this they would like to come through at 10 o'clock to-morrow morning.

O. B. WILLCOX,

Brevet Major-General.*

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*Referred by Parke to Ord 4 p. m., and by Ord to Stanton 6.30 p. m. See Stanton's reply 10 p. m., p. 292.

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