ford, reports the enemy busily engaged in repairing the Weldon railroad between the Meherrin and the Nottoway, also that the enemy's cavalry are suffering for the want of forage since the destruction of the road, and that a large part of the cavalry has been sent to Belfield, though a considerable force remains at Stony Creek.

GEO. G. MEADE,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
OFFICE OF THE PROVOST-MARSHALL-GENERAL,

December 21, 1864.

Major General G. G. MEADE,

Commanding Army of the Potomac:

GENERAL: A contraband that left Stony Creek day before yesterday states that the Weldon railroad is being repaired from Belfield to the Nottoway River, and that large parties of infantry are at work on it; that the cavalry is principally at Stony Creek Station, though a large force is at Belfield; that he was told by a cavalryman Hill's corps had been ordered back to Belfield again; did not know if it had gone. Destruction of the railroad has done great injury to the cavalry; horses are dying for want of forage.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JNumbers C. BABCOCK.

OFFICE OF THE PROVOST-MARSHAL-GENERAL,

December 21, 1864.

Major General G. G. MEADE,

Commanding Army of the Potomac:

GENERAL: The following deserters from the enemy have been received to-day: One from Second Georgia Battalion, Wright's old brigade, Mahone's division; two from Fifty-second North Carolina, MacRae's brigade, Heth's division; one from Tenth Florida, Finegan's brigade, Mahone's division; two from Thirty-fifth North Carolina, Ransom's brigade, Johnson's division; one from Forty-ninth North Carolina, Ransom's brigade, Johnson's division; one from Fifty-sixth North Carolina, Ransom's brigade, Johnson's division. No movements discovered. Hill's corps had not moved yesterday morning. All quiet on Johnson's line. No information of Rodes' division. Gordon's and Pegram's divisions still reported on the right. No official news from Sherman.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JNumbers C. BABCOCK.

HDQRS. ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, SIGNAL DEPARTMENT,
December 21, 1864.

Major General G. G. MEADE,

Commanding Army of the Potomac:

No changes discovered during the day. Smoke, as if from a moving engine, seen moving southwest from the vicinity of Port Walthall Junction; supposed to be on some new branch road.

I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

B. F. FISHER,

Colonel and Chief Signal Officer.