telegrams in cipher. All these dispatches have been sent to the provost-marshal-general. Six deserters came in last night. Have no changes or anything new to report.

GEO. G. MEADE,

Major-General, Commanding.

CITY POINT, October 26, 1864-2.30 p.m.

General GEORGE G. MEADE:

Your orders* for to-morrow have been received and read. The only point on which I would suggest a change is in regard to Parke's movement. If he finds the enemy's fortifications in good defensible condition and manned I think he should only confront them until the movement of the other two corps had its effect.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
October 26, 1864-7.30 p.m.

Lieutenant-General GRANT:

The orders for to-morrow intend that Parke should act in the manner you suggest; that is to say, he will not attack if he finds the enemy in such position and force as renders it injudicious to do so, but as his movement is to be made at daylight or just before he will have to make a partial attack to ascertain the exact condition of affairs unless he waits till after daylight, and, if he does, I am quite sure he will have no chance.

GEO. G. MEADE,

Major-General, Commanding.

CHURCH ROAD SIGNAL STATION,

October 26, 1864.

Captain PAINE:

At 8 a.m. a working party of twenty-five men left works near Jones' and passed westward along the works, otherwise, no movements have yet been discovered.

J. L. PRAY,

Sergeant.

STATION FRONT OF FORT HOWARD,

October 26, 1864-1.30 p.m.

Major FISHER,

Chief Signal Officer:

There is considerable commotion in the enemy's front on Boydton plank road near Butterworth's house and in fort on east bank of Lieutenant Creek, near large yellow house. About 300 men left the works (east of) near the large yellow house and moved westward along the

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*See circular, October 25, p. 340.

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