or thereabouts dismounted, appeared on his front and fired on his advance posts. His pickets fired and fell back 300 yards, when they were re-enforced by Lieutenant Cornell, and in turn drove the enemy back and established his lines as formerly, since which time all has been quiet and no enemy visible. This attack occurred about 7.30 a.m. A young contraband at Lieutenant Cornell's headquarters came in previous to this attack and reports two brigades of the enemy's infantry in the vicinity of Reams' Station.

HIRAM PLATT,

First Lieutenant, Commanding Company D.

[Indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS FIRST PENNSYLVANIA VETERAN CAVALRY BATTALION, September 17, 1864.

Respectfully referred to Colonel Locke, assistant adjutant-general and chief of staff, as the report of the officer sent out by mein compliance with your note of 10 a.m.

R. J. FALLS,
Major, Commanding First Pennsylvania Cavalry Battalion.

Respectfully,

F. T. LOCKE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS, September 17, 1864-2.15 p.m.

General HUMPHREYS,
Chief of Staff:

GENERAL: I have just sent in two deserters from the Eighth Georgia, who can give you a great deal of information. Their homes are near Atlanta. They say all the cavalry was sent off yesterday to Hampton; that they were under arms all day yesterday and night before, expecting attack from us; that they don't think there is any idea of attacking us; that they know Kershaw's division had returned from the Valley, but think no other of Early's troops.

Respectfully,

G. K. WARREN,

Major-General.

[Indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, September 17, 1864-3 p.m.

The above, just received, is sent and attention called to the statement of the return of Kershaw's division.

GEO. G. MEADE,
Major-General.

HALIFAX ROAD SIGNAL STATION, September 17, 1864-5.10 p.m.

Lieutenant-Colonel LOCKE,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

A body of cavalry, half an hour in passing, has just passed a point on Boydton plank road two miles left of toll-gate, going toward our right. No unusual activity in the enemy's works along the Boydton plank road.

CHAS. L. DAVIS,

Captain, Signal Corps, U. S. Army.