prevent cars from passing. Your movement should be rapid and decisive. Having accomplished the objects, fall back to Baltimore Cross-Roads, or to your present position, and report.

I am, very respectfully, yours,

JOHN A. DIX,

Major-General.

[P. S.]- One of General Spinola's regiments will hold the position at Baltimore Store till you return.

HEADQUARTERS FOURTH CORPS, Baltimore Store, July 4, 1863-12 Midnight.

Major-General DIX, Commanding Department of Virginia:

GENERAL: Your dispatch received. Am I to understand that if I decide against making a movement on Bottom's Bridge, it will not be made? And is General Spinola's brigade, excepting the regiment that shall be left here, to move with me? While waiting an answer, I will consult my brigade commanders with reference to their faith in their troops.

E. D. KEYES,
Major-General.

WHITE HOUSE, VA., July 5, [1863]-12. 30 a. m.

Major-General KEYES:

GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs me to say that you are to understand that he decides that the movement is to be made. General Spinola's brigade is not to go with you. If you decline to make the move, General Gordon will be put in command. Please acknowledge receipt of this.

I am, sir, very respectfully,

D. T. VAN BUREN,

Assistant Adjutant-General. K.

JULY -, 1863.

(Received 2. 05 a. m., July 5.)

General DIX:

GENERAL: I do not decline, but will order out rations, and start as soon as they arrive. Please reply when you receive the paper which I sent in.

KEYES,

Major-General. 24.]

HEADQUARTERS FOURTH CORPS, Baltimore Store, Va., July 5, [1863]-

3 a. m. We then undersigned, commanders of brigades, having felt the enemy on the main road from here to Bottom's Bridge, are con-