HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE JAMES.

March 6, 1865. (Received 5.45 p.m.)

General JOHN A. RAWLINS:

Six deserters from the enemy since my last report.

JNO. W. TURNER,
Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS,

March 6, 1865. (Received 11.05 p.m.)

Lieutenant-General GRANT:

Lieutenant Michie's nomination as brevet major is not confirmed. He is about accepting the appointment of assistant inspector-general Twenty-fifth Army Corps to support his family. His services to this army as chief engineer are not to be dispensed with. He is worth his weight in gold as an engineer. Cannot he be promoted to brevet major? He richly deserves it by untiring industry, exposing his life frequently, and the practice of skill in the most important and responsible positions. I would only part with him as chief engineer to give him a division as brigadier.

E. O. C. ORD,

Major-General.

GENERAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA,
ARMY OF THE JAMES, Numbers 28.
Before Richmond, Va., March 6, 1865.

I. In accordance with Special Orders, Numbers 85, current series, Adjutant-General's Office, Washington, February 21, 1865, Lieutenant Colonel Theo. Read is hereby assigned to duty as assistant adjutant-general of this department and army.

II. Captain Charles B. Atchison, Third U. S. Infantry, additional aide-de-camp, is hereby announced as aide-de-camp on the staff of the major-general commanding, and will be obeyed and respected accordingly.

By command of Major-General Ord:

R. S. DAVIS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

FORT MAGRUDER, March 6, 1865

Major-General ORD:

It is reported by sutler's clerks that 15,000 men will soon pass Yorktown on their way toward Richmond.

B. C. LUDLOW,

Brevet Brigadier-General, Commanding Post.

HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION,
March 6, 1865.

Brevet Major-General MERRITT,

Chief of Cavalry:

GENERAL: Communicate with these headquarters, if possible by 6 a.m. If you have any suggestions to make or information to give, please forward the same by that hour. The roads in this valley are quite rough and in places bad. There is plenly of forage and rations in the