allowed to send burial parties on the field at Reams' Station. The officer commanding the rebel picket north of the station first promised an answer in ten minutes; then, later, stated that an answer would be given in an hour by General Butler. My staff officer waited an hour and a half beyond the appointed time and then returned to my headquarters without an answer. The officer commanding the rebel pickets stated that we had about 200 dead on the field, and of these fifty had been buried, and that small parties were still employed in burying the dead; that all our wounded had been removed save about twenty still in the church at the station.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,m

D. McM. GREGG,

Brigadier-General of Volunteers.

There are two of our medical officers with the wounded at the church. The officer stated that these wounded would be removed to-day.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. SECOND DIV., CAVALRY CORPS,

Numbers 78.
August 27, 1864.

* * * * * * *

2. Colonel Charles H. Smith, First Maine Cavalry, having reported for duty, is hereby assigned to the temporary command of the Second Brigade, Second Division, cavalry.

By command of Brigadier-General Gregg:

H. C. WEIR,

Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA,
August 27, 1864-4.50 p. m.

General ORD:

I have just received a signal dispatch that eighteen cars, heavily loaded with troops, have just passed the Junction, en route to Richmond, and sent a copy to General Grant.

J. W. SHAFFER,

Colonel and Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
August 27, 1864.

Major-General ORD:

I hear firing in your direction. Is anything going on?

GEO. G. MEADE,

Major-General.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA,
In the Field, August 27, 1864.

General MEADE:

General Ord directs me to reply to reply to your telegraph that there has been no firing on his line between the James and Appomattox, with the exception of a few guns, which amounted to nothing.

GEO. A. KENSEL,

Lieutenant-Colonel and Acting Chief of Staff.