[Indorsement.]

HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA,
Fort Monroe, January 15, 1864.

Respectfully forwarded for the information of the General-in-Chief.

BENJ. F. BUTLER,

Major-General, Commanding.

WASHINGTON, D. C., January 10, 1864.

General SETH WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Army of the Potomac:

MY DEAR GENERAL: Gibbon has written to me asking for my prompt attention in one matter; I will therefore attend to it at once. In case of a reorganization of the army he wishes in his division his old brigade, the "Iron Brigade" of Wisconsin Infantry, and his old Battery B, Fourth [U. S.] Artillery, which he says would be anxious to join him. It would be very agreeable to me. I suppose the wishes of troops should be considered when known. In such a case I should like my old brigade, too. Put this on file for the contingency.

Truly, yours,

WINF'D S. HANCOCK,

Major-General of Volunteers.

BALD KNOB SIGNAL STATION,

January 10, 1864-1. 30 p. m.

NORTON,

Chief Signal Officer:

Camp of one regiment of enemy's cavalry at railroad bridge seems deserted this a. m. One regiment of enemy's infantry came down to railroad bridge to relieve pickets. All quiet. No other change in enemy's camps.

CAMP and WIGGINS,

Signal Officers.

CULPEPER, VA., January 10, 1864.

Lieutenant Colonel C. ROSS SMITH,

Chief of Staff:

COLONEL: Everything is reported quiet along the line of pickets. The Reserve Brigade report signal lights seen last night. A sharp watch has been kept and the patrols sent out on the right. The signal party report nothing except that the enemy near Rapidan Station and other side of the river seem busy building huts yesterday.

W. MERRITT,

Brigadier-General.

24 R R-VOL XXXIII