HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA, ARMY OF THE JAMES,
In the Field, March 16, 1865-10 a. m.

General J. A. RAWLINS,

City Point:

Deserters from Barton's brigade say there were rumors in camp that part of Pickett's [division] went on Sunday toward Lynchburg, where Sheridan had cut the canal, and another portion went to Hanover Junction and had a fight with some of Sheridan's command. Heard that Pickett was driven back. Don't know the day the fight occurred.

E. O. C. ORD.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA, ARMY OF THE JAMES,
March 16, 1865. (Received 11.15 a. m.)

Brigadier-General RAWLINS,

Chief of Staff, City Point, Va.:

Twenty-five deserters have, come in since yesterday. They report that Harris' brigade, Mahone's division, has returned to our front, near Howlett's house, and that Grimes' division has relieved Johnson's division on lines at Petersburg, Johnson going to their extreme right.

E. O. C. ORD,

Major-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES,
City Point, Va., March 16, 1865.

Major-General ORD,

Army of the James:

Secretary Stanton is here.

JNO. A. RAWLINS,

Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA. ARMY OF THE JAMES, Numbers 75.
Before Richmond, Va., March 16, 1865.

1. Major R. S. Davis, assistant adjutant-general of volunteers, is hereby relieved from duty at these headquarters, and will report to the headquarters of the armies at City Point for further orders.

* * * *

By command of Major-General Ord:

THEODORE READ,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

CIRCULAR,
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA, ARMY OF THE JAMES, No. 12.
Before Richmond, Va., March 16, 1865.

Organization and rules for the provost-marshal's department, Army of the James:

The provost-marshal-general for the Army of the James will be on the staff of the general commanding the Army of the James with the rank of a field officer, and will be obeyed and respected accordingly.