HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
December 8, 1864-1.10 p. m.

Major-General MEADE,

Headquarters Second Corps:

Colonel Kerwin is about ready to start. He is anxious to leave his picket-line, which numbers some 200 men, for the protection of his trains and camps and artillery. Without the men on picket he will have, including Colonel Walsh's detachment, some 640 men. Can he leave his picket-line or must the men composing it accompany him?

S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
December 8, 1864-9 p. m.

Captain P. SCHULLER,

Assistant Provost-Marshal-General:

The commanding general directs that Lieutenant-Colonel Walsh, Third Pennsylvania Cavalry, report with all his available force at 5 a. m. to-morrow to Colonel Kerwin at the camp of the headquarters Second Cavalry Division.

Very respectfully, &c.,

S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
December 8, 1864-10.20 a. m.

Brigadier-General BENHAM,

City Point:

The commanding general directs that you provide a suitable guard for the pontoon trains that were sen to City Point last night by major Duane.

S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

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

December 8, 1864.

Major General G. G. MEADE,
Commanding Army of the Potomac:

GENERAL: Deserters from Archer's and MacRae's brigades came into the lines of the Second Army Corps about daylight this a. m. Been out on picket since 11 a. m. yesterday. At sundown last night Heth's division had order to pack and be ready to move. Cannot say that the division has moved; had not moved at sundown; may have moved during the evening without their knowing it. Deserter from Scales' brigade came in at 2 a. m. (Wilcox's division); heard nothing about marching orders; has been out on picket since yesterday morning.