HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,
December 28, 1864.

General S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

Nothing unusual along our lines. Six deserters from the Forty-third Alabama and one from Thirty-fourth Virginia have come in during the night.

JNumbers G. PARKE,

Major-General.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA,
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SIGNAL OFFICER,

December 28, 1864.

Brigadier-General TURNER,

Chief of Staff:

GENERAL: The signal officer on Crow's Nest tower reports:

At 10 a.m. the enemy relieved with about 2,000 men the same number of their troops in the intrenchments on Chaffin's farm, and at 10.30 a.m. the latter crossed the pontoon bridge at Chaffin's Bluff, with three wagons and four ambulance, going toward their right.

Very respectfully, &c.,

L. B. NORTON,

Captain and Chief Signal Officer.

HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-FIFTH ARMY CORPS,
December 28, 1864-11 a.m.

Major-General ORD:

I have just received the following dispatch:

Lieutenant TUCKERMAN,

Signal Officer:

Enemy on Chaffin's farm are preparing to attack. Have re-enforced their line by about 1,500.

AMSDEN,

Lieutenant.

C. A. HECKMAN,

Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-FOURTH ARMY CORPS,
In the Field, Va., December 28, 1864.

Brigadier General R. S. FOSTER,

Commanding First Division:

GENERAL: The enemy are reported by General Heckman as preparing to attack. Brevet Major-General Terry directs that you get your command under arms.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

THEODORE READ,

Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.

(Same to Brigadier General Charles Devens, commanding Third Division, and Bvt. Brigadier General T. M. Harris, commanding First Division, Department of West Virginia.)

69 R R-VOL XLII, PT III.