points. A fresh detachment, strong enough to whip the Holcombe Legion, has just gone out after more. The account I telegraphed you is correct. One hundred and nine escaped. A Richmond paper seen by one of our scouts, but not brought in by him, confirms it. Their great difficulty will be to cross the Chickahominy, all the private crossings of which are watched by rebel scouts of Hume's party, concealed from our cavalry in the woods.

I. J. WISTAR,

Brigadier-General.

FEBRUARY 14, 1864.

Colonel WEST:

Take all care of the escaped prisoners and send them on the way. Furnish them with whatever they require.

I. J. WISTAR,

Brigadier-General.

FORT MONROE, February 14, 1864.

Brigadier-General WISTAR:

Captain Wallick, Fifty-first Indiana, and Lieutenant Harris, Third Ohio, escaped prisoners, just arrived here from Yorktown, report that they only knew of 25 others getting out. Are these the officers you got your information from?

J. W. SHAFFER,

Colonel and Chief of Staff.

FEBRUARY 14, 1864.

Colonel J. W. SHAFFER,

Chief of Staff, Fort Monroe:

I was a absent reviewing troops when your telegram arrived. Two more officers, not the ones you mention, came in this morning, who report the 109 escaped prisoners.

I. J. WISTAR,

Brigadier-General.

GETTY'S LINE, February 14, 1864.

Colonel SHAFFER:

When are you going to send back the Fifth Pennsylvania Cavalry? I need them very much. I have not sufficient cavalry to patrol the country. Our line needs constant and thorough patrolling to make it secure.

C. A. HECKMAN,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

GETTY'S LINE, February 14, 1864.

Colonel SHAFFER:

I have received information from a reliable source that the rebels contemplate making a demonstration in this direction. Their forces are increasing on the Blackwater. If you have an available force

36 R R-VOL XXXIII