At 12.30 p. m. 1,000 infantry and 200 cavalry moved southward from Petersburg, disappearing behind Cemetery Hill. At 1 p. m. about 4,000 infantry passed southward, disappearing behind Cemetery Hill. At 3.30 infantry moved toward Richmond, north of the Appomattox. At 3.45 p. m. 2,000 infantry and a battery of artillery moved toward Richmond, north of the Appomattox. At 4.30 p. m. three batteries of artillery and a herd of cattle passed toward Richmond. Trains moving almost constantly northward on the Richmond turnpike. At sunset a column numbering about 3,000 moved from roads west of Petersburg, bearing to the right.

The efficiency of this detachment was much impaired by the removal of the field telegrap. Fisher, chief signal officer, has been indefatigable in his exertions to render it as efficient as possible.

Casualties: Two officers taken prisoners, 1 enlisted man killed, 6 taken prisoners, 3 died of disease, and 1 drowned. (Appendix C, papers A1, Hecapitulation of casualties.

Died.

Kille Drown From Of Wound Missi Priso Aggre

d. ed. wound disea ed. ng in ners gate.

s. se. actio of

n. war.

Capta ..... ..... ..... ..... 3 ..... 1 4

ins

First 1 ..... 1 ..... 3 ..... 1 6

lieut

enant

s

Secon ..... ..... ..... ..... 1 ..... 3 4

d

lieut

enant

s

Serge ..... ..... 1 2 2 ..... 1 6

ants

Priva 5 1 3 20 2 2 25 58

tes

Total 6 1 5 22 11 2 31 78

(Appendix H.)+

Testimonials to the efficiency of the corps and the service rendered by it are herewith submitted. (Appendix D.)++

Reconnaissance of the Mississippi River.-In compliance with the special instructions of the Secretary of War of December 5, 1863, Colonel A. J. Myer made a preliminary reconnaissance with reference to the establishment of telegraphic communication by a line of signal stations from Memphis to Cairo. He reports in substance as follows:

The route by the valley of the Mississippi was found to be the best. In making the reconnaissance he availed himself of an actual examination of the river and the points selected for stations; a careful study of a map intended for the movement of vessels upon the river, made from the surveys of pilots, and having marked upon it the most elevated points, and the experience and personal knowledge of pilots and river men.

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*See Fisher's reports, Series I, Vol. XXXVI, Part I, pp. 281, 282 and XL, Part I, p. 275. Paper H1 is already substantially quoted herein.

+Nominal list omitted.

++ Letters (here omitted) from Admirals Dahlgren, Du Pont, Farragut, and Captain Melancton Smith, of the Navy; Generals Banks, Benton, Buford, Corcoran, Couch, Curtis, Custer, Cutler, Davies, Getty, Graham, Hancock, Heckman, Kilpatrick, Merritt, Neil, Newton, Pleasonton, Prince, Rice, Sedgwick, Seymour, Sykes, Alfred H. Terry, Henry D. Terry, George H. Thomas, Vogdes, Fitz Henry Warren, Washburn, Webb, Wild, Wistar, Horation G, Wright, and Colonel Devin, of the Army.

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