[Indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS PIONEER BRIGADE,
October 7, 1863.

Respectfully referred to Brigadier-General Smith, chief engineer.

J. ST. C. MORTON,

Brigadier-General of Volunteers.

OCTOBER 7, 1863.

Brigadier-General. GARFIELD:

Chief of Staff:

GENERAL: The following rebel messages were sent from Loukout Point, and read:

First. "Have finished pontoon; there is nothing else."

Second. "Central works beyond the star fort erecting platforms for heavy guns, and pontoons are completed and in use."

Third. "Boyd's sun is set."

Very respectfully,

JESSE MERRILL,

Captain and Chief Signal Officer.

HEADQUARTERS,
October 7, 1863-12.30 p.m.

Captain COLE:

Do you see any unusual movement of the enemy? Ask Seiter and Foraker.

MERRILL,

Captain and Signal Officer.

CAMERON'S HILL, October 7, 1863-12.55 p.m.

Captain MERRILL:

All quiet along enemy's line. Can see more tents on their right than yesterday.

HOWGATE,

Acting Signal Officer.

OBSERVATION STATION,

Cameron's Hill, October 7, 1863-1 p.m.

Captain MERRILL:

I see less stir among troops in the valley than heretofore, perhaps owing to the clearness of the atmosphere; I see more tents than I saw yesterday. On Mission Ridge I see troops standing in groups, some in line and some few slowly working on fortifications. One hundred and twenty-three degrees, plainly see two guns where three had been reported a few days since. One hundred and twenty-four degrees, troops at this point and some farther north; saw about 100 with knapsacks on, arms right shoulder shift, sauntering along from there to the right. Now and then a wagon going in the same direc-