HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, December 10, 1863.

Brigadier-General GREGG,
Commanding Second Cavalry Division:

GENERAL: General Custer has been ordered to relieve your pickets on the lower Rapidan. As soon as they are relieved the general commanding directs that you move one of your brigades to Warrenton and one of them to near Bealeton, putting it in camp there, and picketing the country toward Morrisville.

The two batteries that are with your division will be relieved by two batteries from the Second Brigade Horse Artillery. They will report to you before you cross the river.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

C. ROSS SMITH,

Lieutenant-Colonel, and Chief of Staff.

HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, December 10, 1863.

Brigadier-General GREGG,
Commanding Second Cavalry Division:

GENERAL: The reports from the reconnoitering party sent to Newby's Cross-Roads indicate that the force sent is not quite strong enough. The general commanding directs that you send 250 men at once to re-enforce them.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

C. ROSS SMITH,

Lieutenant-Colonel, and Chief of Staff.

FORT MONROE, December 10, 1863.

(Received 9.45 p.m.)

The SECRETARY OF WAR:

Richmond Examiner of 8th instant says that Longstreet was at Rutledge, 30 miles northeast of Knoxville, on the Bristol road, on the 6th. They regard him in a position critical, but ultimately safe, and admit that what he has accomplished is nothing.

BENJ. F. BUTLER,

Major-General.

GENERAL ORDERS,
HDQRS.18TH A. C., DEPT. VA. AND N. C. No. 50.
Fort Monroe, Va., December 10, 1863.

In accordance with orders received from the President of the United States, any person now under sentence of death is hereby reprieved until further orders from these headquarters.

By command of Major-General Butler:

R. S. DAVIS,

Major, and Assistant Adjutant-General.