Dispatches from Lee:
“Headquarters Army Northern Virginia,
“December 10th, 1864.
“Hon. James A. Seddon, Secretary of War.
“Gen. Hampton, after driving the enemy’s cavalry upon his infantry, on the afternoon of the 8th, recrossed the Nottoway and reached Bellfield at daylight yesterday.
“In the afternoon the enemy attacked the position, but were successfully resisted. This morning the enemy is reported retiring and Hampton following.
“The bridge over the Meherrin was saved. Our loss, as far as known, was small. The garrison, under Garnett, and the reserves, behaved well. R. E. Lee.”
“Headquarters Army Northern Virginia,
“December 10th, 1864.
“Hon. James A. Seddon, Secretary of War.
“About noon yesterday the first division of the Second Corps of the enemy, supporting their cavalry, forced back our cavalry pickets on the Vaughan Road, south of the Appomattox, and advanced toward Dinwiddie Court House.
“To-day our cavalry, reinforced by infantry, drove them back across Hatcher’s Run, capturing a few prisoners and re-establishing our lines. R. E. Lee.”