HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS,
October 8, 1864.

General GRIFFIN:

GENERAL: Will you please send me any information you may have in regard to the position of the enemy. General Ayres is directed to advance and take the W. Davis house. Has the Ninth Corps moved with your division, or have you had any trouble in regard to your left? I desire that you will select some good line and re-establish the picket-line to-night. We have driven the enemy's skirmishers into their works on the right. The picket-line must be in advance of where it was last night. All I desire is that the enemy should see your force. When that is accomplished, or the enemy's skirmish line drawn in, the object of the reconnaissance is accomplished and you are at liberty to withdraw your command in connection with your right and left. Please inform me of the situation.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. W. CRAWFORD,

Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, FIFTH CORPS,
October 8, 1864.

Major-General CRAWFORD,

Commanding Corps:

GENERAL: Your note is received. I have the honor to report that my picket-line is advanced and is about 1,000 yards from the enemy's works on my left and about 500 yards from his skirmish line, in full view. My left rests near the Boswell house.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

CHAS. GRIFFIN,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS,
October 8, 1864.

Brigadier-General GRIFFIN,

Commanding First Division:

GENERAL: The commanding general directs me to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch, and to say that it is satisfactory, and that you have gone far enough. So soon as General Ayres completes the establishment of his line you can withdraw.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

FRED. T. LOCKE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS,
October 8, 1864.

Colonel DANA,

143rd Pennsylvania Volunteers, Commanding Picket-Line:

COLONEL: The general commanding directs me to say that you will push out the skirmish line until the enemy's line of battle is developed. The object of this movement is not to attack the enemy, but to make