Contact on January 2nd and 3rd

A small force of Confederates appeared on the south bank of the Potomac at Dam No. 5 and fired some shells at Federals encamped on the north side of the river during a lull in the rains. The Federals pulled out a battery and returned fire. The Confederates withdrew to places unknown. No casualties reported.

A Federal infantry battalion and Confederate cavalry company have been observing each other around Hainesville. The Federal unit slowly slogged its way through the mud to Hainesville, arriving on the 3rd and bivouacking there.