FAIRFAX COURT-HOUSE, VA., December 23, 1864-10 a. m. (Received 12.40 p. m.)

Major-General AUGUR,

Commanding, Headquarters Department:

Colonel Albright reports four of the party of Colonel Sweitzer who were captured by guerrillas near Vienna escaped and arrived at this post this morning nearly perished from cold and exposure. I have sent for them to obtain information if they have any to communicate.

W. GAMBLE,

Colonel, Commanding Brigade.

FAIRFAX COURT-HOUSE, December 23, 1864.

Major-General AUGUR,

Commanding Department of Washington:

Reports have been received from Fairfax Station and Vienna. all quiet. No report received from Colonel Gansevoort, Prospect Hill.

W. GAMBLE,

Colonel, Commanding Brigade.

HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, December 23, 1864.

General STEVENSON:

Permission is given you to visit Baltimore. I am sorry, Stevenson, about that sharp telegram of mine about the transportation of troops. I felt angry when it was written and thought you might have put it in different language. I will send you an order to-day to give such orders to the Sixth Pennsylvania Cavalry as will relieve me from the trouble of the Williamsport people.

P. H. SHERIDAN,
Major-General.

WINCHESTER, VA., December 24, 1864.

Brigadier General J. A. RAWLINS,

Chief of Staff:

I have no information from General Torbert. Custer has sent in his report of affair at Lacey's Springs, near Harrisonburg, between Chapman's brigade, of his division, and Payne's brigade, of Rosser's. He repulsed and drove them, and there was no necessity for his return except bad weather and total absence of forage. Custer reports his loss, 2 killed, 22 wounded, 20 prisoners. Enemy's loss, killed, and wounded 100, and 27 prisoners. The fight occurred before daylight. Custer had 230 of his men frostbitten on the expedition.

P. H. SHERIDAN,

Major-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, No. 121.
December 24, 1864.

* * * *

3. The Third Massachusetts Cavalry is relieved from duty with the Nineteenth Army Corps, and will proceed to Remount Camp, Pleasant Valley, Md., on the 26th instant and report to Major Elmer Otis, special inspector of cavalry, for the purpose of being mounted.