noticed on road reported this m. At 4 p. m. a body of cavalry, estimated at 350 men, passed a point about half a mile to right of Farley's house, moving south-southwest. A considerable dust seen occasionally nearly all day on roads south and west of city, and should think it indicated more than the usual travel on main roads. Since 4 p. m. dust and smoke have inclosed whole country round city.

A. C. JORDAN,

Sergeant.

HDQRS, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, SIGNAL DEPARTMENT,
August 12, 1864.

Major General A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Chief of Staff:

GENERAL: The following dispatch has just been received, and is respectfully forwarded for your information:

GIBBON'S HOUSE, August 12, 1864.

(Via Eighteenth Army Corps.)

Major FISHER:

A wagon train has been steadily passing a point southwest of this station for about sixty minutes. They move in a direction south-southwest. A heavy dust for about same time along line of Petersburg and Richmond Railroad, but covered from observation. About 300 troops moved at head of wagon train. Considerable dust south of city, but not steadily.

A. C. JORDAN,

Sergeant Signal Corps, &c.

I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant.

By order:

WM. S. STRYKER,

First Lieutenant and Adjutant Signal Corps.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
August 12, 1864.

Major-General HUMPHREYS,

Chief of Staff:

GENERAL: I have no further movement upon the part of the enemy during the day to report excepting that there seemed to be more than usual activity upon the various roads during the day. One of my lookouts reports that about 4 p. m. the atmosphere became too hazy to see movements, but a bank of dust seemed to rise in vicinity of city and extend across the river and on to the right. He thought it indicated a movement, but was not certain. I give it for what it is worth.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

B. F. FISHER,

Captain and Chief Signal Officer.

SPECIAL ORDERS, WAR DEPT., ADJT. GENERAL'S OFFICE,

Numbers 268. Washington, August 12, 1864.

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41. First Lieutenant C. C. Chaffee, Ordnance Department, is hereby relieved from duty at Allegheny, Pa., and will report in person without