WASHINGTON CITY, December 15, 1864-11.50 p.m.

Brigadier General J. A. RAWLINS,

City Point, Va.:

I send you dispatch just received from Nashville.* I shall not now go there. Will remain absent, however, until about Monday.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

OFFICE OF THE PROVOST-MARSHAL-GENERAL, December 15, 1864.

Major General G. G. MEADE,

Commanding Army of the Potomac:

GENERAL: A deserter from McGowan's brigade (Thirteenth South Carolina), Wilcox's division, Hill's corps, came into the lines of the Second Army Corps on General Miles' front last evening; has been in service only a week, and cannot give much information. McGowan's service only a week give much information. McGowan's brigade returned to its old position on Tuesday afternoon, and Early's troops moved out toward the Boydton plank road; does not know which way they went; some of the men in McGowan's brigade barefoot, many without overcoats or blankets; suffered a great deal on the late march.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JNO. C. BABCOCK.

WALTHALL SIGNAL STATION, December 15, 1864-5 p.m.

Lieutenant L. A. DILLINGHAM:

All quiet this p.m. No change observed during the day. The following were intercepted:

Colonel B[RENT]:

A small increase of houses on Gilliam's farm. Steamer just came up the river. Gun-boat in same position.

R.,

Sergeant, at C.

(Same to A. B.)

3.30 [P. M.]

Major P.:

Evening report: There has passed near of Battery 5, going toward enemy's left, three train, one of four box-cars and one flat, one of twelve box-cars and four flats, and one of twelve box-cars and two flats, and seventy-two wagons. In rear of same battery, going toward City Point, three trains, one of five box-cars, one of twelve box-cars, and one of six flats, and forty-seven wagons.

W.,

Sergeant, at D.

STEAURT'S FRONT-4.30 p.m.

Colonel B[RANT]:

All quiet this p.m. One regiment of infantry just passed open space going toward Point of Rocks. Gun-boat in same position.

R.,

Sergeant, at C.

(Same to A. B.)

H. W. HOLMAN,

Sergeant.

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*See Thomas to Halleck, December 15, 9 p.m., Vol. XLV.

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