WINCHESTER, VA., December 21, 1864-11 a. m. (Received 11.30 a. m.)

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

Chief of Staff:

The Provisional Division leaves Stephenson's Depot this morning en route to City Point. The commanding officer has been directed to report to you for instructions upon his arrival in Washington.

P. H. SHERIDAN,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, December 21, 1864.

General GROVER:

The brigade that reported for duty to Colonel Edwards only number about 900. The brigade commander reports that one of his regiments has been retained as guard to the ammunition train. It should be relieved and sent here as soon as possible.

JAS. W. FORSYTH,
Chief of Staff.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS, No. 120.
Camp Russell, Va, December 21, 1864.

* * * *

5. The commanding officer of the Second Division will order one regiment of the First Brigade and one regiment of the Fourth Brigade (one of the three encamped together) to sleep on their arms with their equipments on until further orders as inlaying picket, with orders to the regiment from the First Brigade so detailed in case of any alarm on the right of the pike to march at once to the point from which the alarm arises, to repel any attack of raiders, and to the regiment so detailed from the Fourth Brigade to march at once in case of alarm on the left of the pike to the point from which it arises for the same purpose, these regiments, respectively, to keep out sentinels in camp to communicate any such alarm. Should such an alarm occur the brigades to which these regiments belong will be immediately got under arms in their works and await orders.

By command of Brevet Major-General Grover:

PETER FRENCH,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS, Camp Russell, Va, December 21, 1864.

The commanding officers of the First and Fourth Brigade will each designate a regiment from their command to carry out the requirements of the above order.

By command of Brigadier-General Birge:

C. H. CORNWELL,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

52 R R-VOL XLIII, PT II