2.05 P. M.

Colonel BRENT,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

There is a large brigade of infantry drawn up in line of battle through open space to our left Cobb's.

R.,

Sergeant at [C.].

(Same to A. B.)

The rebel signal station has also reported this a. m. fifty-seven wagons with a guard of fifty cavalry passing on Bermuda Hundred road, going toward their front in Chesterfield also two batteries of artillery passing in rear of Battery 5, going to our front.

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

WM. S. STRYKER,

Acting Chief Signal Officer.

(Forwarded to General Ord by General Humphreys.)

JORDAN HOUSE, August 25, 1864-2.05 p. m.

Major FISHER:

The following massages just received (intercepted):

Colonel BRENT,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

About one large brigade of infantry, followed by twenty-five wagons and ten ambulances, coming from behind their Petersburg, front, had passed, going down Broadway road, their head of column halting at their heavy works on Gilliam's field to our right of that poind. The brigade of infantry has crossed pontoon and halted in open space to our space to our left of Cobb's. Officers seem very actively employed.

R.,

Sergeant at [C.].

(Same to A. B.)

In my front just discovered a force all prepared on my line.

G. E. PICKETT,

Major-General, Commanding.

I did not get the address of the message from General Pickett.

T. R. CLARK,

Captain and Acting Signal Officer.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,

Numbers 229. August 25, 1864.

I. When detachments of engineer troops that may have been assigned to duty with army corps are relieve from such service, no officers or men belonging to such detachments will be retained with the corps except when specially authorized from these headquarters.

* * * * * * * * *

By command of Major-General Meade:

S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.