HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA,
In the Field, July 14, 1864.

OPERATORS,

Cherrystone:

The commanding general directs me to say that he will order a whole regiment at your place.

G. WEITZEL,

Brigadier-General and Acting Chief of Staff.

HDQRS. DEFENSES OF NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH,
Portsmouth, Va., July 14, 1864-1.30 p.m.

Major J. S. GATES,

Bower's Hill:

MAJOR:There is a rumor here that Fitzhugh Lee is beyond Suffolk with a force of cavalry, infantry, and artillery. The general desires you to send out a reconnoitering party and ascertain, if possible, whether there is any truth in the report. The expedition to Chowan and Perquimans Counties will be suspended for the present.

I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. L. McHENRY,

Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS OUTPOSTS, July 14, 1864-5 p.m.

General PALMER:

About 3 this p.m. I received notice from my outpost picket commandant that the enemy were making demonstration on our line of pickets, having killed the outer cavalry vedette on his post. I immediately dispatched, under Captain Green, infantry up the railroad; ordered the whole reserve under Captain Lee, Ninety-ninth New York, to skirmish up the Neuse road toward Core Creek; at the same time sent a cavalry force, under direction of Captain Charles G. Smith, acting aide-de-camp, out, all which caused the enemy to retreat post haste, and my cavalry are in hot pursuit, followed by an infantry force as support. I think the enemy should be called on to disavow this act of firing on pickets in the above stated manner, as this is a game I can play at with interest in my favor. Will communicate again if anything further turns up.

P. J. CLAASSEN,
Colonel, Commanding Outposts.

(Same to General Harland.)

POINT LOOKOUT, July 14, 1864-9 a.m. (Received 10.20 a.m.)

Honorable E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

All quiet. Five gun-boats on duty last night.

JAMES BARNES,

Brigadier-General.