Department of Virginia as assistant adjutant-general, with rank and pay of lieutenant-colonel, under act of July 17, 1862, to date from February 17, 1865.

20. By direction of the President, the following transfers are hereby made from the staff of the Twenty-fourth Army Corps to the staff of the Department of Virginia: Major S. S. Seward, aide-de-camp; Capt, Hugh G. Brown, aide-de-camp.

* * * * *

By orders of the Secretary of War:

E. D. TOWNSEND,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
February 21, 1865-8.45 p. m.

CORPS COMMANDERS:

The major-general commanding directs that hereafter all deserters from enemy be allowed to retain their arms until delivered to the provost-marshal at these headquarters, unless their number be too great to permit of this being pursued. In that case let certificates be given them that they brought arms, stating kind, &c.

ALEX. S. WEBB,

Brevet Major-General and Chief of Staff:

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
February 21, 1865-11.30 p. m.

COMMANDING OFFICERS SECOND CORPS AND FIFTH CORPS:

Deserters from the enemy to-night report three brigades of Heth's division, on their extreme right, to be under marching orders, to be ready to move at a moment's notice, rationed until to -morrow night only. The movement may be upon your line. The general commanding directs that you exercise extreme vigilance.

ALEX. S. WEBB, Brevet Major-General and Chief of Staff.

Numbers 345 NINETEENTH STREET, Washington, February 21, 1865.

Major-General MEADE,

Commanding Army of the Potomac:

If circumstances permit, I wish my leave extended to the time requested in my application of the 27th of January. If extended, I should proceed to Philadelphia for four days. My address there would be 1120 Spruce street.

A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Major-General.

FEBRUARY 21, 1865.

Major General A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Washington:

Your leave of absence is extended five days.

GEO. G. MEADE,

Major-General, Commanding.