SIR: In obedience to orders from regimental headquarters, I started last evening in command of a detachment composed of Companies C, H, and K, Second Infantry, U. S. Army, to search after Captain McKee, Second Infantry, who had been reported severely wounded by guerrillas. I first proceeded to Greenwich, 7 miles from camp, where I learned that a fight had occurred between Captain McKee,

Lieutenants Lacey, Byrne, and Butler, Second Infantry, and some guerrillas in ambush. Not learning anything of the whereabouts of these officers, I then proceeded with my command to the house of the reverend Mr. Balch. There I learned that the fight had taken place in the woods near the house, but could not learn positively the whereabouts of any of the officers missing. From there I went to Mr. Marsteller's, where I found the body of Captain McKee, who had been killed in the fray. The thieves who killed him had taken his boots, hat, and some papers, besides rifling his pockets of everything they contained. The family had seen two officers, whom I recognized from their description as Lieutenants Byrne and Butler, as prisoners, being run off in the direction of the mountains by their captors. Lieutenant Lacy, I understand, escaped. After getting the body of Captain McKee, I returned home.

The place where Captain McKee was killed was in a country road, between the houses of Mr. Balch and Mr. Marsteller, the thick pines on each side of the road serving admirably for an ambush.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JAMES W. LONG,

Captain Second Infantry, U. S. Army, Commanding Detachment.

[Captain J. S. CONRAD, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.]

[First indorsement.]

HDQRS. FIRST BRIGADE, FIRST DIVISION, FIFTH CORPS, April 12, 1864.

Respectfully forwarded.

These officers absented themselves from camp in violation of orders.

R. B. AYRES,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

[Second indorsement.]

HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, FIFTH CORPS, April 12, 1864.

Respectfully forwarded.

Attention directed to General Ayres' indorsement.

JOS. J. BATLETT, Brigadier-General, Commanding Division.

[Third indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, April 15, 1864.

Respectfully forwarded, with the recommendation that First Lieuts. Francis E. Lacey, Thomas Byrne, and James Butler, Second U. S. Infantry, by dismissed the service for having absented themselves from their camp in violation of orders.

GEO. G. MEADE, Major-General, Commanding.

[Fifth indorsement.]

ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, April 19, 1864.

Respectfully submitted to Major-General Halleck, Chief of Staff, U. S. Army.

E. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Sixth indorsement.]

APRIL 19, 1864.

Approved.

H. W. HALLECK, Major-General, Chief of Staff.

[Seventh indorsement.]