HEADQUARTERS DEFENSES OF WASHINGTON, December 2, 1862.

General PARKE,
Chief of Staff, Headquarters Army of the Potomac:

I have the honor to report that the following troops left here yesterday by land for Smith's Point, Md.: Colonel Bossert, at 7 a.m., about 5,000 men; Colonel Jennings, at 9 a.m., about 3,000 men; Colonel Wright, at 1 p.m., about 4,000 men. Total, 12,000 men. They expect to reach Smith's Point on the fourth day.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. P. HEINTZELMAN,

Major-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, December 2, 1862.

Major-General HOOKER,
Commanding Center Grand Division:

GENERAL: The commanding general directs that you have detailed two strong regiments to report to General Woodbury to-morrow at 10 a.m. Good ax-men are required, and the men should be supplied with four days' rations. The general suggests that the detail be made from General Stoneman's corps. General Woodbury's camp is near these headquarters.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JNumbers G. PARKE,

Chief of Staff.

[Indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS THIRD ARMY CORPS, December 3, 1862-5 a.m.

General Birney, commanding First Division, and General Sickles, commanding Second Division, will each furnish a regiment, in compliance with above order. They will furnish what axes they have, and call on General Woodbury for the remainder.

By command of Brigadier-General Stoneman:

A. J. ALEXANDER,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,

No. 340. Camp near Falmouth, Va., December 2, 1862.

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IX. The Artillery Reserve, at present serving with the Fifth Corps, is hereby detached. The commanding officer will report, for instructions, to Brigadier General H. J. Hunt, chief of artillery.

By command of Major-General Burnside:

LEWIS RICHMOND,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER, December 2, 1862.

Major-General PARKE,

Chief of Staff, Army of the Potomac:

GENERAL: I have heard of a force of the enemy crossing about 15 miles below, and capturing a squadron of our cavalry. I am so crippled