HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION,
Bealeton, October 27, 1863-12. 40 p. m.

[Lieutenant Colonel C. ROSS SMITH,

Chief of Staff, Cavalry Corps:]

COLONEL: General Merritt I have just seen. He connected with General Buford this morning at 4 o'clock. General Buford is at this place, and has sen a reconnaissance toward the river. I will remain here until it returns. The firing this morning is not yet known, but I shall hear from it before I go back, as General Buford has sent our to ascertain. The general sends these two pickets reports.

Yours, &c.,

HUTCHINS.

HEADQUARTERS,
Bealeton, October 27, 1863-2 p. m.

[Lieutenant Colonel C. ROSS SMITH,

Chief of Staff, Cavalry Corps:]

COLONEL: The reconnaissance which General Buford sent out toward the river has just returned. The enemy have retreated to the river. A portion is on this side. Their left in the rear of Mr. Smith's house and their right by the station. They have taken up every rail between Bealeton and the station and carried them off. General Buford has now advanced his line of pickets up to within sight of theirs, and will keep you advised of their movements.

B. T. HUTCHINS,

Lieutenant, and Acting Aide-de-Camp.

[Indorsement.]

OCTOBER 27, 1863-4 p. m.

Respectfully forwarded.

Lieutenant Hutchins, my aide, has just returned from General Buford, and makes this report.

A. PLEASONTON,

Major-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
October 27, 1863.

General FRENCH:

I am instructed to inform you that the enemy has withdrawn to his former position at beyond Rappahannock Station and to Kelly's Ford. No immediate necessity exists for sending trains to the rear, and the construction parties at work upon the railroad should have the use of the wagons heretofore furnished them.

A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Major-General, Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS CHIEF ENGINEER OF DEFENSES,
Washington, October 27, 1863.

Colonel J. C. KELTON,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Hdqrs. U. S. Army:

COLONEL: The works which constitute the defenses of Washington have been separately (and sometimes hastily) armed with such ord-