John G. Foster to Major-General FostEr, October 21, 1863

Major-General FostEr, Fort Monroe, Va.:

The object is to break railroads between Richmond and General Lee’s army. There would be nothing important gained by destroying bridges south of Richmond at the present time. Having driven Meade across Bull Run, and destroyed the railroad, Lee is now falling back. If you have not the force to attempt the destruction of the bridges north of Richmond, I do not insist upon it.

‘ H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief.

Wark DEPARTMENT, Washington, October 21, 1863—2.30 p. m.

Major-General FostEr, Fort Monroe, Va.:

Dispatches from General Meade render it advisable that you make no movement till further orders. H. W. HALLECK,

Fort Monrog, V. A., October 21, 1863—4.30 p. m. (eee: 5 p. m.) Maj. Gen. H. W. HALuecx, General-in-Chief :

Your telegram received. I intended to start to-morrow, but am glad of the delay, as it gives time to get some regiments from North Carolina and parties from the outposts. J. G. FOSTER,

Major-General, Commanding.

SPECIAL le Hpgrs. Dept. oF Va. AND N. C., No. 93. Fort Monroe, Va., October 21, 1863. * * * * * * *

V. I. Maj. Gen. J. J. Peck, commanding District of North Carolina, will order the following troops under his command to proceed at once to this point with all possible dispatch: Twenty-fifth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, Third Regiment New York Cavalry, Battery F, First Rhode Island Artillery ; Howell’s battery, Third New York Artillery, and Riggs’ battery, Third New York Artillery.

X. Brig. Gen. E. Harland, commanding Getty’s division, will at once take the necessary steps to have his command prepared to embark to-morrow morning.

The troops will be in light marching order ; will be provided with three days’ cooked rations, seven days’ in bulk, and 100 rounds of ammunition.

The fortifications in his front will be garrisoned by the batteries of the Thirteenth New York Artillery, under Major Wetmore, who will divide his command accordingly. The reserve or support to the artillery will be taken from the invalids of the different regiments, who will also garrison the different redans on that front. The field guns left in position will be manned by the invalids of different batteries. All the troops, invalids, and company left in camp by General Harland, will be under the command of Brigadier-General Barnes, who will superintend the above-mentioned distribution of

X. I. Col. J. J. De Forest, commanding at Newport News, will have his command prepared to embark to-morrow morning at daylight in light marching order, with three days’ cooked rations, seven days’ in bulk, and 100 rounds of ammunition per man.

XII. Special Orders, No. 93, pers ee wee 10 and 11, from these headquarters, are hereby suspended until further orders.

XIII. All that part of Virginia comprised within what is known as the interior line of the defenses of Norfolk and Portsmouth, including Fort Norfolk and the fortifications on that line, is hereby placed under the command of Brig. Gen. James Barnes.

By command of Maj. Gen. J. G. Foster :