the column moving briskly and no detention or obstacle reported from the front. This is all the news I have received. Warren will strike the road below Stony Creek to prevent being detained by the works at that place. A single gun, supposed to be a signal gun by the enemy, was heard here between 12 and 1 p.m. No indications of any movement as yet.

GEO. G. MEADE,

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
December 7, 1864,-6.45 p.m.

Lieutenant-General GRANT:

I forward dispatch just received from signal officers. The Cox road runs nearly parallel to the South Side Railroad and between it and the Boydton plank. The movement reported is, I think, to meet an expected attack on the South Side Railroad.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
Major-General MEADE:

The following report from the Church road station is respectfully forwarded:

"At 4.30 p.m. a column of infantry occupying six minutes in passing a given point moved westward on the Boydton plank road. At 5 p.m. a column of infantry, followed by twenty-two ambulances and eight wagons, moved westward upon the Cox road. It was well closed, displayed thirteen colors, and was twenty-four minutes passing a point 10 degrees west of north. No changes in enemy's camps on this front."

B. F. FISHER,

Colonel and Chief Signal Officer.

GEO. G. MEADE,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
December 7, 1864.

Captain P. SCHUYLER,

Assistant Provost-Marshal-General:

SIR: The commanding general directs that your order Lieutenant-Colonel Walsh, Third Pennsylvania Cavalry to report with all his available force with the least practicable delay, to Colonel Kerwin Thirteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, at the headquarters Second Cavalry Division, for special service. The party should be prepared to be absent the day.

Very respectfully, &c.,

S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
OFFICE OF THE PROVOST-MARSHAL-GENERAL,

December 7, 1864.

Major-General MEADE,

Commanding Army of the Potomac:

GENERAL: Deserters from Finegan's brigade report that Mahone's division left camp "three or four days ago" (cannot remember the day) and proceeded in the direction of Stony Creek, some four or five miles, and were then ordered back to their old quarters again. De-