CIRCULAR.] HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,

October 24, 1863-1. 30 p. m.

Corps commanders will hold their corps in readiness to move at a moment's notice.

By command of Major-General Meade:

S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

BRISTOE, October 24, 1863-4 p. m.

Brigadier-General WILLIAMS:

The head of my column has just arrived here (Bristoe), after an extremely bad march. I do not expect the rear of it until long after dark. I started at 7 a. m.

JOHN NEWTON,

Major-General.

HDQRS. THIRD DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS,
October 24, 1863.

Lieutenant Colonel C. ROSS SMITH,

Chief of Staff, Cavalry Corps:

COLONEL: It was reported to me an hour since that some of Mosby's White's guerrillas were in the vicinity of Thoroughfare Gap. I have directed General Davies to push out the regiment at Hay Market to that place. I will also see that it moves to Georgetown.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. KILPATRICK,

Brigadier General of Vols., Commanding Third Division.

MARTINSBURG, VA.,

October 24, 1863.

Colonel SHARPE,

Headquarters Army of the Potomac:

A deserter from the Fourteenth Louisiana, who left Lee's army on the 21st at Thoroughfare Gap, reports that it is rumored and generally believed that Longstreet's and Hill's corps were returning from Bragg, and will join Lee at or near Gordonsville.

MICHAEL GRAHAM.

HEADQUARTERS DIVISION,
Fairfax Court-House, Va., October 24, 1863.

Lieutenant-Colonel TAYLOR,

Chief of Staff, Asst. Adjt. General, Dept. of Washington:

I have the honor to report that between 2 and 3 o'clock this a. m. the pickets of the regiment stationed at Fairfax Station were fired upon from the woods. The fire was returned by our men, and two companies immediately sent out, who scoured the country, but no trace of the enemy was found. With the above exception, nothing of any importance has occurred in my command to-day.

Respectfully, &c.,

MICHAEL CORCORAN,

Brigadier-General, Commanding Division.