SPECIAL ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,

No. 351. December 27, 1864.

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7. The siege train the armies operating against Richmond, commanded by Bvt. Brigadier General H. L. Abbot, having been permanently attached to this army by paragraph 2 of Special Orders, No. 156, of December 24, 1864, headquarters Armies of the United States, the same is assigned to the command of Brevet Major-General Hunt, chief of artillery.

By command of Major-General Meade:

S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS,
December 27, 1864. (Received 10.05 a.m.)

Brigadier General S. WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant-General:

No changes in the disposition of this command since last report. Five deserters from the enemy came into out lines during the night. One of them states that Davis' brigade, Heth's division, went toward Lynchburg recently. He belongs to Mahone's division. We had a deserter from Davis' brigade a few days ago. Two of the deserters from Sorrel's brigade, Mahone's division, picketing opposite the extreme right of the Second Corps, state they had orders yesterday to fire upon every one they saw, but that the order was not enforced.

A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS,
December 27, 1864.

Brigadier General S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Hdqrs. Army of the Potomac:

GENERAL: General Miles suggests that the orders of General Grant, respecting the treatment of deserters from the enemy, be printed on very thin paper, and in high winds be let off from the signal stations. By that means they may find their way to the enlisted men of the Confederate Army. At present it is difficult to get them into their hands.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Major-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, SECOND ARMY CORPS,
December 27, 1864.

Major S. CARNCROSS,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Second Corps:

MAJOR: I have the honor to report that, in compliance with circular from headquarters Second Army Corps, December 25, 1864, the picket-line of this division was extended from Vaughan road to Arthur's Swamp. The number of officers and men required to picket the line as now established is 17 officers and 530 men. No other changes have occurred since my last report.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. DE TROBRIAND,

Brigadier-General, U. S. Volunteers.