HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS, December 12, 1864.

General GRIFFIN:

You will establish your picket-line to-night sufficiently for your own protection. More definite arrangements as to the establishment of the picket-line will be made to-morrow.

By command of Major-General Warren:

FRED. T. LOCKE,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

(Same to Generals Ayres and Crawford.)

HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS, December 12, 1864-2 p.m.

General GRIFFIN:

You must at once move General Chamberlain's brigade to the east side of the ravine, leaving all ground to the west of it free to General Ayres' division.

G. K. WARREN,
Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS ENGINEER BRIGADE,

Avery's House, near Petersburg, December 12, 1864.

Lieutenant-Colonel VAN BUREN,

Aide-de-camp, &c., Headquarters Ninth Corps:

COLONEL: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your order to return with my command to City Point. I would respectfully suggest, as the train of cars may be delayed, if I deem it expedient, I be authorized to march my troops to City Point. If I receive no answer to this by a return messenger I shall consider the permission granted.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. W. BENHAM,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS, December 12, 1864-12.30 p.m.

General BENHAM,
Commanding Engineer Brigade and Defenses of City Point:

GENERAL: Below please find copy of telegram from headquarters Army of the Potomac under which I forwarded you the order to move to City Point. The ending of the dispatch is not obligatory in reference to moving by rail.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, December 12, 1864-11.10 a.m.

Major General J. G. PARKE,

Commanding Ninth Corps:

The commanding general directs that your order General Benham to return with his command to City Point, and to occupy with his troops the positions in the line of defenses of that place they held before the movement to Meade's Station. General