FORT MAGRUDER, February 25, 1864.

Major R. S. DAVIS:

The enemy's scouts are collecting all the negro men, women, and children in the country in front of us, and carrying off both them and their stock. This I have just learned from negroes who have come in this p. m. I have ordered out 200 infantry, 100 cavalry, and a train of 15 wagons to start early in the morning and bring in all who want to come with their effects. There are quite a number. I issued the order to save time; can countermand if you do not approve. If the movement is made it will necessitate the delay of the Twenty-fifth Massachusetts detachment, as I shall be compelled to take 100 of that detachment to get a reliable detail in time to move early in the morning. Please answer soon.

ROBT. M. WEST,

Colonel, Commanding.

WASHINGTON, February 26, 1864-3 p. m.

Major-General MEADE,

Army of the Potomac:

Advices from General Grant indicate that Longstreet is falling back from Tennessee toward Virginia.

H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
WAR DEPT., ADJT. General 'S OFFICE, Numbers 93. Washington, February 26, 1864.

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XXXII. Brigadier General H. G. Wright, U. S. Volunteers, will at once report in person for temporary duty to the commanding general of the Army of the Potomac.

On the completion of this duty he will return to this city and resume his duties as a member of the Board of Engineers convened by Special Orders, Numbers 41, January 27, 1864, from this office.

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By order of the Secretary of War:

W. A. NICHOLS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,

February 26, 1864-4 p. m.

Brigadier General H. J. HUNT,

Chief of Artillery:

The major-general commanding directs that your order Captain Pennington to report with his battery of light artillery and two extra caissons of ammunition to General Kilpatrick. The movement of the battery should be made so as to escape the observation of the enemy, and so far as practicable that of our own army.

A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.