HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS,
August 26, 1864-7 p. m. (Received 7.35 p. m.)

General MEADE:

The ambulances sent from here under a small guard of cavalry proceeded to the Emmons house, which is within say, three-quarters of a mile of the church at Reams', and saw nothing but cavalry vedettes. The picked up seventeen of our wounded on the road and returned.

WINF'D S. HANCOCK,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
August 26, 1864-8 p. m.

Major-General HANCOCK,

Commanding Second Corps:

I send you copy dispatch from signal officer on the plank road. The commanding general wishes to know whether the signal officer can be correct in his observation, and if the colors named are really missing from the troops engaged yesterday.

A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.

[Inclosure.]

HDQRS. ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, SIGNAL DEPARTMENT,
August 26, 1864.

Major-General HUMPHREYS,

Chief of Staff:

GENERAL: The following dispatch received from plank road station:

7.10 P. M.

The column reported halted on road near lead-works consisted of eight regiments, and moved toward Petersburg at 6.30 p. m. They carried five U. S. colors flying. At 6.40 a column of infantry, consisting of about 4,000 men and eighteen pieces of artillery, appeared in vicinity of large fort, and moved toward Petersburg, disappearing near lead-works. The artillery came up from our left on line of Weldon railroad, but I think the infantry came in on road running west from large fort. Enemy are busy mounting guns on new works near Weldon railroad. Ambulance trains passing both ways during the day.

FULTON.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

B. F. FISHER,

Major and Chief Signal Officer.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS,
August 26, 1864.

General WILLIAMS,

Headquarters Army of the Potomac:

GENERAL: I cannot say positively as to the colors being lost, but have heard of none as yet. Will at once make an investigation of the matter and send report.

WINF'D S. HANCOCK.