CONFIDENTIAL.] HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,

October 22, 1864.

Major-General PARKE:

GENERAL: I desire to know, in case of a movement and the leaving the present lines to be held by the redoubts and pickets, what number of men and guns it would require to hold the redoubts and inclosed batteries now held by you around to the Clements house work? The picket-line in front should be taken from the garrison of the works as far as practicable. Having ascertained the number of men and guns to hold these works and picket in front, I wish to know what force is left in men and guns for operations elsewhere?

Respectfully,

GEO. G. MEADE,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS, October 22, 1864.

Brigadier-General POTTER,
Commanding Second Division:

GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs that the slashing along our line be extended as far to the front as practicable. You will please give the necessary directions to have this done on your front. The Fifth Corps will slash their first, and directions will be given General Willcox to extend his.

Very respectfully,

JNO. G. PARKE,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, October 22, 1864-10.30 a.m.

Brigadier-General GREGG,
Commanding Cavalry:

General Parke reports that the cavalry vedettes report quite heavy bodies of the enemy moving in their front between midnight and 2 a.m. The commanding general directs that you inquire into this at once, and if you find that it is well founded that you make a strong reconnaissance and endeavor to ascertain what the movement means. The commanding general enjoins prompt inquiry, execution, and report.

A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SIGNAL OFFICER, October 22, 1864.

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

The signal officer at James River tower reports a mortar in position where the light battery was stationed when firing at the tower, north 60 degrees west from signal tower, shelling Dutch Gap.

Very Respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. R. CLUM,

Captain and Chief Signal Officer.