opinion that considerable force of infantry moved out of the intrenchments to-day toward the crossings of Hatcher's Run and toward Armstrong's, in the vicinity of which they were heard slashing.

A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Major-General.

CIRCULAR.] HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS,

December 10, 1864.

The troops of this command now on a reconnaissance and those in support of it will be withdrawn this afternoon, commencing at 2 o'clock. Major-General Miles is charged with the conduct of the withdrawal. The troops will return to their former positions. When the troops of the First Division begin to arrive at the intrenchments General Gibbon will withdraw his brigade to its former position, and the command of the line of the First Division will devolve upon General Miles, to whom Colonel Nugent will report. General Wheaton will send back the brigade of the Third Division, Sixth Army Corps, to report to General Seymour. He will resume the command of the line of intrenchments held by his troops, reporting the fact of his arrival to General Seymour. The commanders of the batteries of artillery will be ordered to report to Lieutenant-Colonel Hazard, chief of artillery, Second Army Corps. Colonel Kerwin will be directed to report his return to the headquarters of the army. Colonel Tippin, upon returning to the headquarters of the army, will report his arrival there.

By order of Major-General Humphreys:

September CARNCROSS,

Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.

CIRCULAR.] HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS,

December 10, 1864.

The circulars of December 7 and 8, making preparatory assignments and disposition of the troops of the command, with other instructions in the event of a movement, will still remain in force.

By order of Major-General Humphreys:

September CARNCROSS,

Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, SECOND ARMY CORPS,
Cummings' House, December 10, 1864-1.45 p.m.

[Major SEPTIMUS CARNCROSS,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Second Army Corps:]

MAJOR: A party of cavalry numbering 200 have been down the Vaughan road to Mrs. Hargrave's. The officer in command reports that he found a considerable force of cavalry about half a mile beyond the creek crossing the road at that point. He reports having heard artillery firing in the direction of Dinwiddie Court-House, for about half an hour, quite rapid. Citizens reported that there had been artillery heard since daylight from the same direction. He was there about 9 o'clock. I have seen no indication of the infantry force reported as having passed down the Boydton road this morning. The enemy are