HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.

Major-General HUMPHREYS:

My lookout on station near the Gibbon house reports that" a column of infantry moving to the left, was twenty minutes passing a point southwest from this station and beyond the city. They crossed open space to right of left steeple. This open space is about one mile beyond Petersburg and south of west from the body of the city.

B. F. FISHER,
Major and Chief Signal Officer.

GEO. G. MEADE,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
September 26, 1864-3.45 p. m.

Lieutenant-General GRANT:

The following dispatches from signal officers are respectfully communicated to you for your information:

HEADQUARTERS SECOND CORPS.

General WILLIAMS,
Assistant Adjutant-General:

The following dispatch just received from signal officer:

"HEADQUARTERS SECOND CORPS .

"General HANCOCK:

"The signal station near the Friend house reports a column of enemy's infantry passing a point southwest from station going toward our left; was twenty minutes in passing the point.

"TAYLOR,

"Captain.

"P. S.-About 200 more infantry passed since the above.

"TAYLOR."

HANCOCK,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS SIGNAL DEPARTMENT.

Major-General HUMPHREYS,
Chief of Staff:

GENERAL: A camp heretofore visible southwest of Cemetery Hill and about half a mile distant from said hill has disappeared. A new camp was pitched about noon to-day near the Richmond pike and about one mile and a half from Pocahontas; it would be about large enough for two regiments. While upon the station near the Gibbon house I saw the glistening of muskets through the foliage along the Richmond pike. The troops carrying the arms were moving toward Petersburg. The strength column I cannot approximate, as I only saw the latter part of it, but I do not think it was large or marched far, as I could not detect any stragglers. I give it for what it is worth.

B. F. FISHER,

Major and Chief Signal Officer.

GEO. G. MEADE,

Major-General.

CITY POINT, September 26, 1864. (Received 9.55 p. in)

Major-General MEADE,

Headquarters Army of the Potomac:

The lieutenant-general commanding wishes you would so arrange it that the battalion of First New York Volunteer Engineers lately serving with Tenth corps may be spared from Petersburg and directed to report General Butler.

C. B. COMSTOCK,

Lieutenant-Colonel and Aide-de-Camp.