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called Halfsink, with the enemy's cavalry.
This morning he ascertained by his skirmishers that the enemy had disappeared and that nothing had been seen of them to-day.
Captain Fox, who represented himself as a scout, and who I found had come into the cavalry pickets on the telegraph road beyond the Chickahominy, stated that the enemy had retired from Atlee's and was nowhere west of the railroad in that vicinity.
Dr. Fontaine, of the Fourth Virginia Cavalry, stated to me that he was last night as high up as Hanover Courthouse and that he saw and heard nothing of them in the region west of the road from Ashland to that point.
He also reported that there was no enemy on the stage road from Fredericksburg this side of Gouldin's, eighteen miles south of Fredericksburg.
It was reported by citizens that there was a force of the enemy marching by the Amelia road, but of that he knows nothing.
I think it probable, from what I learned to-day, that the enemy, being satisfied with temporarily breaking up our railroad communication north, have withdrawn east of these roads, with a view, probably, of concentrating his force nearer Richmond.
I omitted to mention in the statement of Captain Fox that he met a citizen of his acquaintance who had been seeking the restoration of some property, and was referred by the parties to whom he applied to General McClellan, who was stated to be at a point four miles from Atlee's, on the road leading from Richmond to Pamunkey.
He inferred that the main body of his forces was in that vicinity.
You may probably have received more accurate accounts of the position of the enemy from your scouts.
I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
R. E. Lee, General.
General,--The reports of Major-General D. H. Hill give me the impression that the enemy is in considerable strength in his front.
It seems to me necessary that we should increase our force also.
For that object I wish to concentrate the troops of your division on the Charles City road, and concentrate the troops of Major-General Hill on that to Williamsburg.
To do this it will be necessary for you to move as early in the morning as possible to relieve the brigade of General Hill's division now on the Charles City road.
I have desired General Hill to send you a guide.
The road is the second large one diverging to the
