HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA,
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SIGNAL OFFICER,

September 27, 1864.

Lieutenant Colonel GEORGE A. KENSEL,

Acting Chief of Staff:

COLONEL: The signal officer at James River tower reports situation unchanged, with exception that enemy are extending disconnected rifle-pits to their left of the Cox's Ferry work on the bluffs along the river, screening them with bushes at they are being made. No more troops have been seen since those reported at 4 p.m. crossed Chaffin's farm. Four wagons passed along this road about noon in same direction; four others were seen going in opposite direction near pontoon bridge. The signal officer at Spring Hill reports all quiet of enemy's lines this p.m.

Very respectfully,your obedient servant,

H. R. CLUM,

Captain and Chief Signal Officer.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA,
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SIGNAL OFFICER,

September 27, 1864.

Lieutenant Colonel GEORGE A. KENSEL,

Acting Chief of Staff:

COLONEL: The following message just received from Spring Hill:

A train of ten cars loaded with troops toward Petersburg.

A. G. SIMONS,

Lieutenant and Acting Signal Officer.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. R. CLUM,

Captain and Chief Signal Officer.

(Forwarded to General Grant.)

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEPT. OF VA. AND N. C., ARMY OF THE JAMES,

No. 266. In the Field, Va., September 27, 1864.

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III. Major-General Ord, commanding Eighteenth Army Corps, will direct two companies of the Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry and one company of the Fifth Pennsylvania Cavalry to report at once to

Brigadier General A. V. Kautz, at Jones' Neck.

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By command of Major-General Butler:

ISRAEL R. SEALY,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

DUTCH GAP, VA., September 27, 1864.

Colonel HENRY L. ABBOT.

Commanding Siege Artillery:

COLONEL: I have the honor to report that the enemy opened as usual this morning, firing quite rapidly and constantly until about 2