CRANE'S HILL, October 7, 1863-2.30 p.m.

Lieutenant HOWGATE:

Saw none.

FITCH,

Lieutenant and Acting Signal Officer.

CAMERON'S HILL, October 7, 1863-2.45 p.m.

Captain MERRILL:

Fitch reports that he saw no battle yesterday. General Rosecrans wishes to know.

HOWGATE.

CAMERON'S HILL, October 7, 1863-7.20 p.m.

Captain MERRILL:

Can see the enemy's fires extending along our front form southeast to 30 degrees northeast, being most numerous in the east and southeast. More on our left than last night.

HOWGATE.

Acting Signal Officer.

HEADQUARTERS SIGNAL CORPS,
October 7, 1863.

Brigadier-General GARFIELD,

Chief of Staff:

GENERAL: The officers at Crane's Hill (Station Numbers 2.) say, in answer to inquiry of commanding general, that they saw no battle yesterday.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JESSE MERRILL,

Captain and Chief Signal Officer.

STATION NO.1.

Cameron's Hill, October 7, 1863.

Captain MERRILL:

See enemy's camp-fires extending along our front, southeast to 30 degrees north of east, being most numerous in the east and southeast. More on our left than last night.

HOWGATE.

CRANE'S HILL, STATION Numbers 2. [October 7, 1863.]

(Received 7.50 p.m.)

The enemy display as many fires as usual.

FORAKER.

HEADQUARTERS PICKET RESERVE,
October 7, 1863-6 a.m.

Captain POLK,

Asst. Adjt. General, Third Division, 14th Army Corps:

CAPTAIN: I have this morning sent into camp a sergeant and 6 men of the Fifth Kentucky, C. S. Army. They deserted last night, and the sergeant, who is very intelligent, gives some information which