are taken by subordinate officers to carry out the order. Every man should be made to load and fire his musket under the personal supervision of a company officers. It is believed there are men in this army who have been in numerous actions without ever firing their guns, and it is known that muskets taken on the battle-fields have been found filled nearly to the muzzle with cartridges. The commanding general cannot impress too earnestly on all officers and men the necessity of preparing themselves for the contingencies of battle.

By command of Major-General Meade:

CHAS. E. PEASE,

Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.

GARNETT'S MOUNTAIN, April 19, 1864.

Captain MERRILL,

Chief Signal Officer:

The enemy are throwing up new heavy works in the vicinity of Raccoon Ford. No movements. All quiet.

FULLER.

PONY MOUNTAIN, April 19, 1864-6.15 p. m.

Captain MERRILL:

All quiet. The enemy still employed on the works to the right of Somerville Ford.

McCLOSKEY.

HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS,
Army of the Potomac, April 19, 1864.

Major-General HUMPHREYS,

Chief of Staff, Army of the Potomac:

I have the honor to forward you a copy of a dispatch received from the commanding officer of the picket reserve near Grove Church.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

C. ROSS SMITH,

Lieutenant-Colonel and Chief of Staff.

Major-General Sheridan being away at Stevensburg this morning, I take the liberty of forwarding the dispatch.

[Inclosure.]

PICKET RESERVE, 1ST Brigadier, 3rd DIV., CAV. CORPS,

Near Grove Church, April 18, 1864.

Captain L. SIEBERT,

Asst. Adjt. General, First Brigadier, Third Div., Cav. Corps:

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that all remains quiet on my line. Last night a few bushwhackers tried to work their way up to some of my posts, but they were discovered in time and fired