George G. Meade to William F. Barry, October 26, 1863

General W. F. Barry, Inspector of Artillery, U. S. Army: GENERAL: There is much complaint of the inefficiency, at close. quarters, of the canister for the light 12-pounder gun, owing to the small number of balls it contains. This effect was made apparent at Gettysburg, and is complained of frequently now that the batteries of es guns in the horse artillery often come in close contact with the enemy’s cavalry and infantry. The present canister shot is so large as to be effective at long ranges, so long that it would be better to use shrapnel. I respectfully request that canister with a smaller ball, say of 2 to 3 ounces—or if of smaller diameter than that of a 2-ounce iron ball, then one of lead—may be furnished at as early a day as practicable, in sufficient quantities to furnish at least the horse artillery with one-half their canister of the new pattern. These canisters would carry from 60 to 80 shots, and would probably be much more effective within 200 yards than the present 7-ounce ball of 28 to the canister. HENRY J. HUNT, Brigadier-General, Chief of Artillery. CLARKSBURG, W. VA4., October 26, 1863—2 p. m. (Received 5 p. m.) Brig. Gen. G. W. CULLUM, Chief of Staff: I leave this afternoon for the Big Kanawha, for the purpose of seeing the condition of General Scammon’s division, and to get his portion of the proposed expedition in readiness. I herewith send ou a telegram, just received from General Scammon. I think a arge portion of the force reported in Greenbrier and Monroe has been ordered to General Samuel Jones. B. F. KELLEY, Brigadier-General, (Telegram.] Brig. Gen. B. F. KELLEY, Clarksburg, W. Va.: Colonel White, at Fayetteville, reports that Lieutenant Blazer’s scouting party captured 3 of enemy’s pickets on Meadow Creek, attacked pickets on Blue Sulphur, and burned two large houses used as quarters and stables. Reports Sixteenth [Virginia Cavalry] 14 miles from Blue Sulphur, one mounted regiment at White Sulphur, two at Warm § rings, two at Salt Sulphur, three at the Narrows, one at Centreville; IT’wenty-second Regiment 14 miles from Lewisburg, on old pike; Derrick’s [Battalion], at Jarrett’s, on Muddy Creek, 6 miles from Blue Sulphur; Edgar’s [Battalion], 5 miles from Lewisburg, on Anderson’s Ferry road; enemy’s scouts on Little Sewall. E. P. SCAMMON, Brigadier-General. Washington, D. C., October 27, 1863—2 p. m. Major-General MEADE, Army of the Potomac: Please report condition of affairsin your army and front. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief. OCTOBER 27, 1863—8 p. m., (Received 9 p. m.) Major-General HALLECK: Yesterday the enemy advanced a force of infantry and cavalry from the railroad crossing of the Rappahannock, driving in our cavalry pickets and forcing back Buford’s cavalry till they reached their infantry support in the neighborhood of Bealeton. A column was reported as crossing at Kelly’s Ford, and there were other indications of an advance. This morning, however, the enemy retired to the river and his former Bee which appears to be between the railroad crossing and Kelly’s Ford, with a force on this side of the river at the crossing. Last night a supply train coming from the depot at Gainesville was aitabeed between New Baltimore and Warrenton and some one hundred animals taken from it. The train had an escort, which was in front and rear, but was unable to reach the center of the train before the guerrillas had made off with the animals. The wagons were left untouched. The railroad will be repaired to Catlett’s Station, within 14 miles of Warrenton Junction, by to-morrow night.

GEO. G. MEADE,