burning schooner, but did not board the barge. As the rebels and escaped, he went immediately to Smithfield to see operator, [and] with other parties landed last night to look out after the party committing this mischief. The wounded men will be sent up in the mail-boat. If the Jesup is within call, dispatch her immediately to the mouth of the Chickahominy. My boat is aground, but as soon as she is off I will go to the Nansemond. The Foster will return to Smithfield. The whole country to the southward of Pagan Creek should be scoured.

CHARLES K. GRAHAM

Brigadier-General.

(Copy to Lieutenant-General Grant.)

HEADQUARTERS THIRD BRIGADE, CAVALRY DIVISION,
In the Field, Va., December 6, 1864.

COMMANDING OFFICER PICKET-LINE THIRD BRIGADE:

CAPTAIN: The general commanding the cavalry division directs that you exercise unusual vigilance to-night, and report promptly to these headquarters any movement that may be observed upon the part of the enemy now or to-morrow.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. W. EVANS,

Colonel First Maryland Cavalry, Commanding Brigade.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD BRIGADE, CAVALRY DIVISION,
In the Field, Va., December 6, 1864.

COMMANDING OFFICER FIRST MARYLAND CAVALRY:

COLONEL: Please be prepared to move your whole command at a moment's notice, with two days' rations and forage. It will not be necessary to disturb your men now, but an order to move may be expected before morning. You will leave in camp only the necessary camp further orders, and measures should be taken to supply them with rations and forage.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. W. EVANS,

Colonel First Maryland Cavalry, Commanding Brigade.

NEWPORT NEWS, December 6, 1864.

Major-General BUTLER:

Forces at Newport News: One company First U. S. Colored Cavalry, 97 men; detached men in quartermaster's department and commissary of subsistence department, 14; recruits, 24; total, 135. Officers: Lieutenant Colonel Loren Burritt, Eighth U. S. Colored Troops, commanding; Captain W. H. Wild, Thirty-sixth U. S. Colored Troops, post adjutant; Lieutenant W. L. Robinson, Twenty-second Colored Troops, quartermaster; Lieutenant Edward Gallup, Twenty-first Connecticut Volunteers, commissary; Major William H. Seip, First U. S. Colored Cavalry, provost-marshal; Asst. Surg. W. H. Gray, post surgeon;also Colonel Jeptha Garrard, First U. S. Colored Cavalry,and four officers of his regiment.

LOREN BURRITT,

Lieutenant-Colonel, U. S. Colored Troops, Commanding.