from coming in from the interior of the country. Rebel papers are already harping on this point, in order to frighten their slaves. The Secretary of War and General Meigs concur in these views.

H. W. HALLECK

Major-General and Chief of Staff.

CITY POINT, VA., December 31, 1864.

Honorable E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

The chief commissary goes from here this morning to Fortress Monroe to provision the steamers collecting there, as I had given directions. His guess as to object was that steamers were going to Sherman's army to bring them here. He has not yet received any orders and does not even know that steamers are being collected. I will instruct him to say confidentially that he thinks we are either sending for Sherman or that we are going to re-enforce him, inclining to the latter opinion.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
December 31, 1864.

Lieutenant General U. S. GRANT:

The following report has been received from Major-General Wright, commanding Sixth Corps:

HEADQUARTERS SIXTH ARMY CORPS,
December 31, 1864-10.30 a. m.

Brigadier-General WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

The enemy made and attack upon the picket-line on my front this morning at about 5 o'clock, on the left of the First Division and right of the Third, and succeeded in killing two men and wounding three. Thirty-seven men are reported missing. The line was very soon established as before and all has been quiet since.

H. G. WRIGHT,

Major-General, Commanding.

JNumbers G. PARKE,

Major-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
BUREAU OF INFORMATION,

December 31, 1864.

Brigadier General S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

GENERAL: Twenty-three deserters from the enemy came in last evening. They represent MacRee's brigade, of Heth's division; Scales' brigade, of Wilcox's division; Harris', Weisiger's, and Sorrel's brigades, of Mahone's division, and Wallace's, Wise's, and Gracie's brigades, of Johnson's division. No changes or movements are reported. All that can be learned of the affair last evening is that a part of McGowan's brigade, about a regiment or less, relieved Young's battalion of sharpshooters, of Scales' brigade, and the latter made a dash upon our picket-