MAY 3, 1863.

General HUMPHREYS,

Commanding Third Division:

The major-general commanding directs that the last order by obeyed, and that the regiments be sent, as General Mott's brigade is ordered to the front. Everything goes well. Sedgwick has Fredericksburg. Sickles is in Jackson's rear.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

FRED. T. LOCKE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[25.]

SPECIAL ORDERS,
WAR DEPT., ADJT. GENERAL'S OFFICE, Numbers 201.
Washington, May 4, 1863.

* * * * *

7. Major General F. Sigel, U. S. Volunteers, having reported from leave of absence April 30, will proceed to New York and await orders there from the 1st instant.

* * * * *

By order of the Secretary of War:

E. D. TOWNSEND,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

[25.]

HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS,
May 4, 1863.

Brigadier-General VAN ALEN,

Aide-de-Camp, Headquarters Army of the Potomac:

GENERAL: Major-General Meade directs me to acknowledge the receipt of your communication,* and to say that the Third Division of this corps (Brigadier-General Humphreys commanding) has been ordered to re-enforce Major-General Reynolds in case that officer needs support. A staff officer has been sent General Reynolds to give him this information. Major-General Meade directs me to write this because General Humphreys' division comprises all the troops he has in reserve, Griffin's and Sykes' divisions being already in position on the line ordered to be held by this corps by the major-general commanding the Army of the Potomac.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

FRED. T. LOCKE,

Lieutenant-Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General.

[25.]

HEADQUARTERS THIRD ARMY CORPS,
In the Field, May 5, 1863-12 m.

Brigadier General S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

GENERAL: I deem it my duty to report that the distinguished conduct of Brigadier-General Birney, Brigadier-General Pleasonton, Colonel S. B. Hayman, and Colonel William Blaisdell, in the engagements with the enemy on the 2nd and 3rd instant, merit the prompt recongnition of the Government. The conspicuous gallantry and abilyt which they

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*Probably that of 3.45 p. m., VOL. XXV, Part II, p. 401.

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