HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
OFFICE OF THE PROVOST-MARSHAL-GENERAL,

November 2, 1864.

Major-General HUMPHREYS,

Chief of Staff:

GENERAL: Four deserters, forwarded from the Ninth Army Corps to-day, represent MacRae's brigade, of Heth's division, and Lane's brigade, of Wilcox's division. None of them were able to locate with any certainly their brigades. Deserter from MacRae thinks his brigade is back in the position it held previous to the late movement. Lane's is on the right of that, and McGowan's next. Can give no other positions. They think the line is now extended much farther to the right than before the late movement. No knowledge of re-enforcements being received or troops sent away.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JNumbers C. BABCOCK.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS,
November 2, 1864. (Received 10.15 a. m.)

General WILLIAMS:

There has been no change in my lines since last report.

WINF'D S. HANCOCK,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS,
November 2, 1864.

General WILLIAMS:

Can you find me a copy of the Times of the 31st of October? I want to make an official matter of certain correspondence in it.

W. S. HANCOCK,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
November 2, 1864.

Major General W. S. HANCOCK,

Commanding Second Corps:

I cannot learn that anybody here has received a copy of the New York Times of October 31. The news agent has not yet brought that issue to our headquarters. Perhaps it may come this evening, and, if so, I will see that you get a copy.

S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS,
November 2, 1864.

Brigadier-General WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

GENERAL: I transmit herewith the Philadelphia Inquirer and New York Times, of October 31, with parts of certain correspondence from this army marked in ink, for the attention of the major-general com-