taken his command. General Longstreet is commanding in Valley. General Lee moved his headquarters to Petersburg day before yesterday. General Ewell in command of the defenses of Richmond.

Important: Informant states that he heard Judge Ould, commissioner for exchange of prisoners, say that he had been to Petersburg last week and visited the fortifications with General Lee; that a mine was being constructed under one of our batteries (informant thinks Battery Numbers 5. nearest Reservoir Hill, one of the forts taken in our ant formed that opinion from his description of it. It was nearly completed. No movement of troops or any particular news of military character.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JNumbers C. BABCOCK.

P. S. - Informants is positive about the mine, and attaches considerable importance to the story of Judge Oould.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS,
November 5, 1864.

General HUMPHREYS,

Chief of Staff:

Your confidential dispatch is received, and the disposition you suggest will be made. Have any orders been given to the engineers on the subject?

WINF'D S. HANCOCK,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
November 5, 1864.

Major-General HANCOCK,

Commanding Second Corps:

Major Michler was informed of the information brought in. I will

see him about it again as soon he returns.

A. A. HUMPHREYS.

Major-General and Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS,
November 5, 1864.

General HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff:

I think a little change in the disposition you suggest would be desirable. Instead of two brigades in rear of Fort Rice i would suggest one in rear of Fort Morton, where the ground is favorable, and the same reserve available for Haskell, and the other brigade in rear of Rice, this last to furnish garrisons for the rear line. With the second line at Fort Sedgwick occupied Fort Rice could be readily re-enforced.

WINF'D S. HANCOCK,

Major-General.