force come down on you suddenly to give you a trial of strength. Have you any recent news from beyond your advance at Williamsburg? If not, send out and try to find out something, and put your outposts on their guard.

J. G. GOSTER,

Major-General, Commanding.

[AUGUST 21, 1863.]

Brigadier General H. M. NAGLEE,

Commanding District of Virginia:

I have just received a dispatch from General Halleck in which he says:

Reports from General Meade indicate that a part of Lee's force has moved toward Richmond. This may be a mere feint, or he may intend to trouble you.

Please to have things put in order in case Lee should make a move in this direction.

I would suggest the moving of the Mounted Rifles up the Peninsula to Williamsburg, to scout and obtain information, and also the sending of Spear's cavalry out toward or beyond the Blackwater for the same purpose.

J. G. FOSTER,

Major-General, Commanding.

GENERAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEPT. OF VA. AND N. C., Numbers 8.
Fort Monroe, Va., August 21, 1863.

The Department of Virginia and North Carolina is hereby divided into two districts of North Carolina and Virginia, commanded, respectively, by Major General J. J. Peck and by Brigadier General H. M. Naglee.

All reports, returns, and papers for the action of the commanding officer Eighteenth Army Corps must be sent through the district commanders, who will forward them, with their indorsement, to these headquarters.

By command of Major General J. G. Foster:

SOUTHARD HOFFMAN,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, Washington, D. C., August 22, 1863-2. 40 p. m.

Major-General MEADE,
Army of the Potomac:

General Briggs has been placed in charge of the removal of all drafted men from Alexandria to the Army of the Potomac. When possible, General Heintzelman will supply guards. When he cannot supply them, General Briggs will send his requisitions to you. These escorts will serve as guards to the trains.

H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief.