lines. The entrenchments are filled with men. No bodies of troops seen moving. Every point visible contains works. Our men have just reached the Gayle house. The rebel infantry are coming out of the woods, but only a small body, perhaps 200, have shown themselves so far. A battery planted in the rear of Anderson's house could silence the enemy's battery that has opened.

Yours,

B. F. FISHER,

Captain.

Major-General HUMPHREYS:

The enemy that showed themselves at the Gayle house and engaged our skirmishers are only dismounted cavalry. They have with them three or four guns. They are now retiring slowly along a road leading toward the rear of the Court-House. The enemy in the entrenchments showed themselves on the works when the firing on the left commenced, and seemed to be a numerous line, as they stood very thick. They did not move any troops toward the firing from the entrenchments.

B. F. FISHER,

Captain, &c.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
May 14, 1864-5.10 a.m.

A. H. CALDWELL:

As soon as the short line between here and General Hancock's headquarters is fully established you can have the wire of the long line taken up.

S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
May 14, 1864.

A. H. CALDWELL:

General Meade wants the line extended from this end as soon as possible. How much wire of both kinds have you? The line need not be extended from General Hancock's toward General Burnside at present.

S. WILLIAMS

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
May 14, 1864.

A. H. CALDWELL:

General Meade wishes you if possible to have, say, 3 miles of wire packed on horses or mules and sent out here immediately to extend the line. You had better get 4 miles additional field wire from the train as soon as possible; the long line to this place must not be