CHURCH ROAD SIGNAL STATION,

October 17, 1864-5.30 p. m.

Captain DAVIS:

At 8 a. m. about twenty-five beeves were driven westward on Boydton plank road; at 9 a. m. a large working party was engaged constructing a very strong abatis before works near Boisseau's house; 2 p. m. a train of five wagons passed westward on Boydton plank road. About 200 men are drilling near fort on Boydton plank road.

J. L. PRAY,

Sergeant.

SQUIRREL LEVEL SIGNAL STATION

October 17, 1864-6 p. m.

Captain DAVIS:

A party of about thirty men have been at work on enemy's fortifications abut half a mile east of toll-gate on Boydton plank road. At 10 a. m. observed a train of sixteen wagons moving westerly on Boydton plank road. No further changes noticed.

SLEEPER,

Sergeant.

FRONT OF FORT HOWARD,

October 17, 1864-6 p. m.

Captain C. L. DAVIS:

No change in enemy's line on this front observed this day. Twenty wagons seen moving east and west on the public road to-day. All quiet in enemy's camps.

C. G. AIKEN,

Sergeant.

HDQRS. ARMY OF THE POTOMAC SIGNAL DEPARTMENT,
October 17, 1864.

Major-General HUMPHREYS,

Chief of Staff:

GENERAL: I have the honor to state that the signal stations along our front report all quiet this afternoon. The station near the Church road reports that at 9 a. m. a large working party was engaged constructing a very strong abatis before work near Boisseau's house on Duncan road. No other changes are reported.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant.

WM. S. STRYKER,

Acting Chief Signal Officer.

SPECIAL ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,

Numbers 281.
October 17, 1864.

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4. The Twenty-fourth Regiment New York Cavalry, now dismounted and serving as infantry in the Ninth Army Corps, will proceed with as