SPECIAL ORDERS, HDQRS. MIDDLE DEPT., STH ARMY CORPS, 6. In obedience to orders of the general commanding Middle Military Division the detachments of the Eighth Regiment Illinois Cavalry, on duty with the First Separate Brigade, will be concentrated without delay at Muddy Branch, in the Department of Washington, and report to Major-General Augur. Brig. Gen. E. B. Tyler is charged with the execution of this order. 9. Brig. Gen. H. H. Lockwood, commanding Third Separate Brigade, is hereby directed to take immediate steps to mount one company of militia (100-days' service) for duty in this department as mounted infantry. General Lockwood will make requisitions for horses and horse equipments, and forward the same to these headquarters for approval without delay. SAML. B. LAWRENCE, WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, D. C., August 15, 1864-3.25 p.m.` There is no reason why General Cadwalader should not be ordered back to Philadelphia if you deem proper to do so. H. W. HALLECK, Major-General and Chief of Staff. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SUSQUEHANNA, Lieut. Col. JAMES W. FORSYTH, Harrisburg, Pa., August 15, 1864. Chief of Staff, Middle Military Div., Harper's Ferry, W. Va.: COLONEL: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of paragraph 10, Special Orders, No. 3, dated headquarters Middle Military Division, Harper's Ferry, August 9, 1864, and in obedience to the same, I herewith transmit a field return of my command, with a roster of the regiments and detachments. The positions occupied and by what troops are as follows: Brandywine District.-Chambersburg, Pa., one section of artillery from Battery A, First New York Artillery; independent company, Patapsco Guards, Maryland Volunteers; four companies First Battalion (100-days') Pennsylvania Volunteers. Occupying mountain passes between McConnellsburg and Loudon, one company First Battalion (100-days') Pennsylvania Volunteers. Occupying mountain passes between McConnellsburg and Mercersburg, one company First Battalion (100-days') Pennsylvania Volunteers. Between Gettysburg and Green Mountain, one company First Battalion (100-days') Pennsylvania Volunteers. Hagerstown, Md., one company mounted (100-days') Penn sylvania Volunteers. Near Mercersburg, Pa., one company mounted (100-days') Pennsylvania Volunteers. York, Pa., two companies Second Battalion, Veteran Reserve Corps. Philadelphia, Pa., One hundred and eighty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers, ten companies Second Battalion, Veteran Reserve Corps, on duty at hospital, &c. Fort Washington, three guns on south bank of river near Harrisburg (20-pounder Parrotts), convalescents; Keystone Battery (100-days'), Pennsylvania Artillery, four guns (20-pounder Parrotts); one company First Battalion (100-days') Pennsylvania Volunteers; two companies One hundred and eighty-sixth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, 300 convalescents. Monongahela District.-Uniontown, Pa., Battery A, First New York Artillery, four guns (light 12-pounders), two companies Veteran Reserve Corps. Lehigh District.-Pottsville, Pa., Company D, Twenty-first Regiment Pennsylvania Cavalry. Bloomsburg, Pa., one company mounted (100days') Pennsylvania Volunteers, one section Keystone Battery (100days'), Pennsylvania Artillery. I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, D. N. COUCH, Major-General, Commanding Department. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SUSQUEHANNA, Maj. Gen. GEORGE CADWALADER, Harrisburg, Pa., August 15, 1864. Commanding Brandywine District, Harrisburg, Pa.: GENERAL: The commanding general requests that you send the two companies of the One hundred and eighty-sixth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, now in Fort Washington, and two companies of 100days' volunteers, now at Chambersburg, all under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart, to report in person at these headquarters for instructions. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JNO. S. SCHULTZE, Major and Assistant Adjutant-General. WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, COMMANDING GENERAL DEPARTMENT OF THE EAST, New York City: SIR: I am directed by the Secretary of War to transmit to you the following orders: Ordered, That inasmuch as the public safety and necessity for the transportation of troops, ordnance, quartermaster's and subsistence supplies on the Potomac River requires the immediate placing of light-house boats on the Potomac River, that Major-General Dix, commanding the Eastern Department, or in his absence the officer in command, be directed to seize and turn over to the Light-House Board two of the vessels within mentioned, which are now at New Bedford, and were built for light-house purposes, leaving one vessel in the hands of the civil authorities to answer the claim or liens for their construction. And the military commander aforesaid is directed to use such military force as may be necessary to seize and hold said boats and deliver them to the officers and agents of said Light-House Board, at such places as the Board or its officers may direct, and that he also employ such mariners, seamen, tugs, and instruments as may be necessary for the purpose, keeping an accurate account of the expenses incurred in executing this order, and reporting the same and his action to this Department. EDWIN M. STANTON, AUGUST 15, 1864. The inclosed copy of an order signed by Prof. Joseph Henry and B. U. Keyser, esq., chief clerk of the Light-House Board, describe the vessels referred to in the Secretary's order. I am, sir, &c., E. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant-General. [Inclosure.] Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War: TREASURY DEPARTMENT, OFFICE LIGHT-HOUSE BOARD, SIR: In the absence of the other members of the Board, I have the honor to give you the following information in regard to light-vessels for the Potomac, as requested by yourself in our interview of to-day. The Board has been frequently urged to place two light-vessels in the Potomac, one at Upper and the other at Lower Cedar Point, since at present much delay is experienced by transports and other vessels navigating that river on account of the absence of these aids to navigation. We are informed that vessels arriving at these points at nightfall are obliged to come to anchor, and so remain until daylight. These points were prior to the war occupied by light-vessels, which in April, 1861, were destroyed by the enemy. The Board immediately contracted for the construction of three vessels, two of which were intended to replace those destroyed. These vessels were built in accordance with the contract, and on completion were turned over to the Board, and the consideration money, $47,500, paid, but before they could be entirely fitted and removed from the place where they were built, viz, New Bedford, Mass., they were seized by the civil authorities to satisfy certain claims for labor and material on them due by the contractor. This occurred upward of a year ago, and although the Light-House Board has made various efforts to adjust the difficulty, the boats still remain in the possession of the civil officers. The amount of the claims is understood to be about $16,000, to satisfy which either one of the vessels would be amply sufficient, since a single vessel of the same class and description costs now $36,000, as per bids opened to-day. In view of the foregoing, and also of the fact that a delay of several months must occur before other vessels could be prepared, it does not seem proper that three vessels should be detained from such an important public service when one is sufficient to satisfy the claim. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOSEPH HENRY, CITY POINT, August 16, 1864—1.30 p. m. Major-General SHERIDAN, Commanding, &c., Winchester, Va. : Fitz Lee's division is not in the Valley. We took quite a number of prisoners from it yesterday north of the James. Kershaw's division has gone to the Valley, and probably two brigades of Wilcox's division. Some cavalry has gone, but I do not know whose. I would not advise an attack on Early in an intrenched position, but would watch him closely with the cavalry, and if he attempts to move north follow him. The 100-days' men will have to be discharged at the expiration of their time unless there is a pressing necessity for detaining them for a few days on account of immediate active hostilities. The families of most of Mosby's men are known, and can be collected. I think they should be taken and kept at Fort McHenry, or some secure place, as hostages for the good conduct of Mosby and his men. Where any of Mosby's men are caught hang them without trial. U. S. GRANT, CITY POINT, August 16, 1864-3.30 p. m. Major-General SHERIDAN, Commanding, &c., Winchester, Va. : (Received 8 p. m. 18th.) In this If you can possibly spare a division of cavalry, send them through Loudoun County, to destroy and carry off the crops, animals, negroes, and all men under fifty years of age capable of bearing arms. way you will get many of Mosby's men. All male citizens under fifty can fairly be held as prisoners of war, and not as citizen prisoners. If not already soldiers, they will be made so the moment the rebel army gets hold of them. U. S. GRANT, Major-General HALLECK, CEDAR CREEK, VA., August 16, 1864. Chief of Staff: Last night I moved General Emory back to Winchester, and to-day will move Generals Wright and Crook back to this point. I will take position at or near Berryville, holding Snicker's Gap. The enemy extend across the Valley from Fisher's Hill to North Mountain. Lee's cavalry and Imboden are at Front Royal. I have maintained the defensive since the receipt of General Grant's telegram, but cannot stay at this point. I have had nothing later from you than your telegram of 13th notifying me of Generals Wilson and Grover being en route via Snicker's Gap. Nothing from General Grant later than 12th. There has been some little skirmishing about possession of a hill on my skirmish line, but of not much moment. Loss about thirty or forty wounded. P. H. SHERIDAN, Major-General, Commanding. Major-General SHERIDAN: WASHINGTON, D. C., August 16, 1864. The discharge of the Ohio militia leaves West Virginia much exposed to raids, and there are no troops that can be sent for its defense except from your army. H. W. HALLECK, Major-General and Chief of Staff. 2 HARPER'S FERRY, W. VA., August 16, 1864-4.30 p. m. Hon. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War: Just arrived from Sheridan's front at Cedar Creek, which place I left at 7 p. m. yesterday. The position of the two armies was unchanged at that hour. The enemy was shelling a portion of our picket-line to obtain possession of a position from which General Wright dislodged him the evening before. At Berryville Colonel Hammond, from Winchester, reported to me the Nineteenth Corps broke up camp at 11 p. m. yesterday, and was all in Winchester before daylight this morning. No firing was heard toward Cedar Creek at daylight. Generals Wilson and Grover are at Snicker's Gap and will both be up to Berryville to-night. The re-enforcement of the enemy as telegraphed by you is in many ways confirmed. It is not certain whether that force joined Early or is now in rear of Front Royal; indications of the latter. General Sheridan says his fighting infantry cannot exceed 20,000, exclusive of Grover's; his cavalry not over 7,500, including Wilson's. Averell at Martinsburg this morning at 2 a. m. General Stevenson assumes command of this district to day. Will leave for Washington to-morrow noon unless to the contrary ordered by you. Guerrillas infest the country between here and Winchester. Trains require strong escorts. A little party twenty minutes ahead of my escort was attacked beyond Charlestown. The lieutenant and two men killed and six captured, one escaped. N. P. CHIPMAN, Colonel and Aide-de-Camp. HARPER'S FERRY, August 16, 1864-9 p. m. Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War: Captain Page, assistant quartermaster, left Cedar Creek at 8 o'clock this morning and just arrived here, a dense fog being over the Valley, enveloping both armies, and had not scattered when he left. The Sixth Corps and Crook's command hold the same line as yesterday and day before. The Nineteenth Corps is in Winchester. No firing this morning and no indications that the enemy had shifted his line. This infor mation is reliable. N. P. CHIPMAN, Colonel and Aide-de-Camp. |