HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, October 16, 1863.

Major-General HALLECK,
General-in-Chief:

GENERAL: I have the acknowledge the receipt of your communication of this date, by the hands of Colonel Cutts, aide-de-camp, inclosing one from the President, and have to say in reply, that it has been my intention to attack the enemy, if I can find on a field no more than equal for us, and that I have only delayed doing so from the difficulty of ascertaining his exact position, and the fear that in endeavoring to do so my communications might be jeopardized.

Respectfully, yours,

GEO. G. MEADE,

Major-General.

HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, THIRD CORPS, October 16, 1863.

Major NORVELL,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Third Corps:

MAJOR: General Mott advanced his pickets last night beyond where teh enemy's batteries were located, and makes no discovery of teh enemy. The general's loss is not accurately ascertained, but will amount to 4 killed and 25 wounded. The corporal who was taken prisoner by the enemy escaped from them, and reports their loss about 60, including a colonel killed and buried on teh ground.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

HENRY PRINCE,

Brigadier-General of Volunteers, Commanding.

UNION MILLS, October 16, 1863.

Major-General HUMPHREYS:

My pickets are now where the enemy's batteries were yesterday, in front of McLean's Ford. No sign of any force beyond. Our loss yesterday was 4 killed and 25 wounded. A corporal who was taken prisoner and escaped reports their loss about 60, including a colonel.

WM. H. FRENCH,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, October 16, 1863.

Major-General FRENCH:

Did you send a brigade to Wolf Run Ford this morning? Have you heard from them, or anything of teh enemy?

GEO. G. MEADE,
Major-General.