HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SIGNAL OFFICER,
October 17, 1864.

Lieutenant Colonel G. A. KENSEL, Chief of Staff:

COLONEL: The following message just received from Cobb's Hill:

The freight and three passenger cars loaded with troops toward Richmond; regular train.

VAN VLECK,

Lieutenant and Acting Signal Officer.

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,
October 17, 1864.

Lieutenant Colonel G. A. KENSEL, Chief of Staff:

COLONEL: The signal officer at Cobb's Hill reports:

Six passenger and five freight cars heavily loaded with troops toward Petersburg-regular train; the train from Petersburg passed at the usual time this a. m.; one train to Petersburg last night; 11 a. m. three freight and two passenger cars with a few passengers to Petersburg; 2 p. m. three freight and two passenger cars with a few passengers toward Richmond.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. R. CLUM,

Captain and Chief Signal Officer.

BROADWAY LANDING, VA., October 17, 1864.

Lieutenant-Colonel SMITH,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Hdqrs. Army of the James:

Is General Order 132* designed to place my whole command of the Siege Artillery under General Graham, or, as heretofore with General Ord, only that portion in the district named? One company, First Connecticut Artillery, is north o the James, and seven others are with the Army of the Potomac. Since my first orders on May 17, I have reported the whole Siege Artillery direct to department headquarters, and the officers commanding subdivisions of my command have reported their subdivision to their local commanders. The same system is used for my command serving with the Army of the Potomac. I greatly facilitates business. I would respectfully request that it may continue as heretofore. Please answer as soon as convenient.

HENRY L. ABBOT,

Colonel First Connecticut Artillery.

DUTCH GAP, VA., October 17, 1864.

Colonel H. L. ABBOT, Commanding Siege Artillery:

COLONEL: I have the honor to report the usual amount of Coehorn firing by the enemy to-day, with the customary uninjurious effect.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. H. PIERCE,

Captain, First Connecticut Artillery.

---------------

*Of October 15, p. 243.

---------------