HANCOCK STATION, December 7, 1864-11.30 a. m.

General PARKE,

Ninth Army Corps:

I will have seven regiments available for a movement, possibly more, numbering 2,600 men. First Brigade-Forty-fifth Pennsylvania, Thirty-fifth Massachusetts, and Thirty-ninth New Jersey, over 1,300; Second Brigade-Second Maryland, Sixth New Hampshire, One hundred and seventy-ninth New York, and One hundred and eighty-sixth New York, over 1,200. Over 2,400 left in lines.

ROBERT B. POTTER,

Brevet Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE JAMES,
December 7, 1864-2 p. m.

Lieutenant-General GRANT:

Brigadier-General Ludlow made a dash upon the other side of the river opposite Dutch Gap and captured a half dozen of the enemy's pickets and drove the rest away. We now hold that bank, and Major Michie is engaged in making his surveys and sounding preparatory to opening the canal.

BENJ. F. BUTLER,

Major-General, Commanding.

CITY POINT, VA., December 7, 1864-2.10 p. m.

Major-General BUTLER:

Good for Ludlow. Is it possible now to take advantage of the lodgment effected by him to carry the heights south of the river? Please have this matter looked into. Warren moved at daylight this morning.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE JAMES,
December 7, 1864-2.20 p. m.

Lieutenant-General GRANT:

Respectfully forwarded for the information of Lieutenant-General Grant. Deserters say that Hoke's division moved away last night, but they did not know where. The enemy are strengthening their forces opposite Dutch Gap. The signal officer on Cobb's Hill tower reports

that at 2 p. m. a train of twelve cars loaded with troops passed Port Walthall Junction toward Petersburg; it was an extra train.

BENJ. F. BUTLER,

Major-General, Commanding.

DECEMBER 7, 1864.

Lieutenant-General GRANT:

General Weitzel's command is encamped at signal tower near Point of Rocks and awaits orders. Admiral Porter telegraphs he will be ready by to-morrow.

BENJ. F. BUTLER,

Major-General, Commanding.