[Fourth indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
April 15, 1864.

Respectfully forwarded, with the recommendation that First Lieuts. Francis E. Lacey, Thomas Byrne, and James Butler, Second U. S. Infantry, by dismissed the service for having absented themselves from their camp in violation of orders.

GEO. G. MEADE,

Major-General, Commanding.

[Fifth indorsement.]

ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE,

April 19, 1864.

Respectfully submitted to Major-General Halleck, Chief of Staff, U. S. Army.

E. D. TOWNSEND,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Sixth indorsement.]

APRIL 19, 1864.

Approved.

H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General, Chief of Staff.

[Seventh indorsement.]

APRIL 20, 1864.

Approved. *

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

Numbers 2. Report of Major General James E. B. Stuart, C. S. Army.

HDQRS. CAV. CORPS, ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
April 14, 1864.

COLONEL: I have the honor to report the following affair (petite guerre) which occurred near Catlett's Station on the 11th instant:

Privates Richard Lewis and A. A. Marsteller, both of Company H, Fourth Virginia Cavalry, met with a party of 4 officers of the regular army, U. S. Army (a captain and 3 lieutenants). These two gallant scouts attacked the party, Lewis confronting the leading two while Marsteller presented his pistol at the two in rear. One of these (Captain McKee, of the Second U. S. Infantry) offered resistance, but was eventually killed, not, however, until he had fired twice at his assailant. The captain's comrade took advantage of this rencounter and escaped. Marsteller having dispatched McKee, re-en-

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*By Special Orders, Numbers 154, paragraph 49, War Department, Adjutant-General's Office, April 21, 1864, Lieutenants Lacey, Byrne, and Butler were dismissed the service of the United States, but this dismissal was revoked, by direction of the President, in Special Orders, Numbers 254, paragraph 43, War Department, Adjutant-General's Office, July 22, 1864.

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