[Indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, FIFTH CORPS,
January 27, 1864.

Respectfully forwarded for the information of the major-general commanding.

I have directed Captain Vose, in charge of the cavalry on duty here, to send out a detachment to look after this party and gain further information, if possible, of their movements.

J. B. SWEITZER,

Colonel, Commanding Division.

HDQRS. 2nd BATTALION, 1ST RHODE ISLAND CAVALRY,
January 27, 1864.

Captain C. B. MERVINE,

Asst. Adjt. General, First Division, Fifth Army Corps:

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that a scouting party sent by orders of Colonel Sweitzer has just returned to camp (6. 40 p. m.), and report having seen no enemy and heard of none except the 20 reported as seen at Mr. Payne's last evening, which they reassure him (lieutenant) was there and retired toward Hartwood Church and vicinity. The Second Pennsylvania Cavalry, on picket on that flank, heard of no enemy near.

Yours, &c.,

JOHN VOSE,

Captain, Commanding.

CULPEPER, January 27, 1864.

Lieutenant Colonel C. ROSS SMITH, Chief of Staff, Cavalry Corps:

A scouting party of the Third Indiana Cavalry was attacked by a couple of squadrons of enemy's cavalry and some 10 of the 18 of the party are still missing. No particulars. All quiet.

W. MERRITT,

Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS TYLER'S DIVISION,
Fairfax Court-House, Va., January 27, 1864.

Colonel LOWELL:

Information has been received at these headquarters that a considerable number of rebel cavalry are in the neighborhood of Sangster's Station. General Tyler wishes you to send a squadron of cavalry to scour the country from Vienna, through Centreville, to Bull Run bridge, in order if possible to intercept them. It is not important the squadron should leave before 9 o'clock to-morrow morning, although the hour of leaving will be left entirely to yourself.

Yours, respectfully,

W. A. LA MOTTE,

Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.

ALEXANDRIA, VA., January 27, 1864.

Honorable E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.:

SIR: It is with deep regret that I feel compelled in the discharge of my official duty, however humble, to call your attention to the