enemy except Mosby and White. They were east of the Blue Ridge. The citizens talked freely with him. He repeats the same thing before stated with regard to re-enforcements, and says a division of rebel cavalry is at Front Royal. General Sheridan's information placed Fitzhugh Lee there. An officer left three miles this side Berryville at daylight. He heard artillery firing toward Winchester. I will have a messenger from Berryville in short time. N. P. CHIPMAN, Colonel and Aide-de-Camp. Hon. E. M. STANTON, HARPER'S FERRY, August 17, 1864. Secretary of War: Just received dispatch from General Averell. I get the same news from other sources and think it correct. One of my couriers saw the prisoners at Winchester. A return escort is due here at 10 o'clock to-night. Hope then to give you further and definite information. Here is Averell's dispatch: Col. N. P. CHIPMAN, Aide-de-Camp : MARTINSBURG, August 17, 1864. Your dispatches are received and sent forward by a staff officer. One of my scouts brings the report that two brigades of our cavalry fought Hoke's division, of Longstreet's corps, and Wickham's and Lomax's cavalry near Front Royal last evening, capturing three battle-flags and 300 prisoners from the enemy. General Sheridan was at Winchester at 11 a. m. to-day. The enemy's movements seem to be upon Sheridan's left flank. I shall endeavor to ascertain before morning to what extent Early has been re-enforced. Col. J. H. TAYLOR, Chief of Staff : WM. W. AVERELL, N. P. CHIPMAN, MUDDY BRANCH, August 17, 1864. COLONEL: The detachment Eighth Illinois Cavalry, 5 officers and about 130 men, have reported from Middle Department. Respectfully, Colonel TAYLOR, Assistant Adjutant-General : COLONEL: The patrols report all quiet to-day. We have a man who was taken prisoner by Mosby at Berryville, Va., and escaped. Mosby captured at the same time a commissary train and the guard. He took 460 mules and 20 horses. He burned the stores. H. H. WELLS, HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, Brevet Major-General EMORY, Commanding Nineteenth Army Corps: GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs that you march at 4 a. m., with your corps, via the Berryville pike, to Berryville, taking position with your command on the ground camped on by your corps on the evening of the first day's march from Harper's Ferry. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAS. W. FORSYTH, Lieutenant-Colonel and Chief of Staff. HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, Brevet Major-General EMORY, Commanding Nineteenth Army Corps: GENERAL: The headquarters of the major-general commanding are established at the court-house, Berryville, Va. Please send three orderlies to remain here to-night, that there may be no mistake in find ing your headquarters. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAS. W. FORSYTH, Lieutenant-Colonel and Chief of Staff. HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS, Maj. D. S. WALKER, Assistant Adjutant-General, Nineteenth Army Corps: SIR: In compliance with orders from headquarters Nineteenth Army Corps, and for the information of the brevet major-general commanding, in reference to the failure of part of this command to march at the appointed hour this morning, I have the honor to state that the orders to be in readiness to move were transmitted to Colonel Beal, commanding First Brigade, without a moment's delay on the part of these headquarters, as were also the orders to march; that the One hundred and fifty-third New York Volunteers, detailed as advance guard, moved punctually at 4 a. m.; that Colonel Beal's command was encamped distant from the town half a mile or more; that the train, in rear of which Colonel Beal was directed to march, did not move with either punctuality or regularity, owing partly to the fact that the troops of the Second Division blocked the way in town, rendering it extremely difficult for regimental teams to join the main train. The blockading of the streets, as stated, interfered with the movements of the First Maine Battery, Captain Bradbury falling in rear of Second Brigade, Second Division, supposing it to be Second Brigade, First Division. I beg to inclose statement of Colonel Beal in the matter. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, WILLIAM DWIGHT, Brigadier-General, Commanding. [Inclosure.] HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., FIRST DIV., NINETEENTH CORPS, Captain LEEFE, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, First Div., 19th Corps: SIR: I have the honor to make the following report, in answer to your inquiry why the brigade of my command did not move at the hour appointed this morning: Orders were received to march at 4 a. m., and the troops were ready at that hour. About 3.45 orders were received to send one regiment ahead as advance guard. I detailed the One hundred and fifty-third New York, and they started at precisely 4 o'clock. Knowing that some time would elapse before the trains would be made up, I gave the men twenty minutes more to drink their coffee and fill their canteens, then started with the brigade and moved with all dispatch through the streets, which were blocked by wagons and troops of other brigades. I arrived, without very much delay, outside the town, halted a moment while the rear wagons of the train in my front moved out of park, and then proceeded on, without any delay to myself and without delaying others. Most respectfully, your obedient servant, GEO. L. BEAL, Colonel Twenty-ninth Maine, Commanding First Brigade. HEADQUARTERS DETACHMENT NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS, Berryville, Va., August 17, 1864. Brigadier-General GROVER, Commanding Second Division : GENERAL: You were expected at this place this morning to join the corps; it is very desirable that you do so. The general commanding directs, therefore, that you move here at once. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, D. S. WALKER, Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY, MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, Brigadier-General MERRITT: August 17, 1864-11.30 a. m. March to Winchester as soon as your command is sufficiently rested. Yours, &c., A. T. A. TORBERT, Brigadier-General of Volunteers, Chief of Cavalry. HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY RESERVE BRIGADE, August 17, 1864-9.50 a. m. Capt. A. E. DANA, Assistant Adjutant-General: CAPTAIN: I have reached the cross-roads and find General Wilson's column going up the turnpike toward Winchester. The rear of his command is just passing. I have concluded not to send a regiment up the Opequon, as he will probably sweep that country. Very respectfully, No report from the infantry. ALFRED GIBBS, Colonel, Commanding Brigade. A. G. SPECIAL ORDERS, WAR DEPT., ADJT. GENERAL'S OFFICE, 40. The following assignment of signal officers is hereby made: Capt. O. H. Howard, to the command of the signal detachment, Department of West Virginia. By order of the Secretary of War: E. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant-General. SPECIAL ORDERS, HDQRS. DEPT. OF WEST VIRGINIA, The regiments of Ohio National Guard (100-days' men) now serving in this department will be sent to Columbus, Ohio, to be mustered out of service as rapidly as their respective terms expire. The quartermaster's department will be directed to furnish the necessary transportation. By order of Brevet Major-General Crook: P. G. BIER, Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DISTRICT OF HARPER'S FERRY, Harper's Ferry, W. Va., August 17, 1864. Major-General SHERIDAN, Commanding Middle Military Division: SIR: I assumed command last night. Finding all trains threatened by guerrillas, and that they are in force, largely increased by a concentration of several organizations under Mosby, making the vicinity of Charlestown their theater of operations, I am of opinion that the only safety to our trains and couriers is the posting a force at Charlestown, with General Duffié at Berryville, and 1,000 of Averell's force at Charlestown, with orders by constant scouting to keep the country I think we can send forward everything without loss. As matters now stand no small party or train with small guard is safe. I have written to General Averell requesting him to occupy Charlestown with 1,000 men and one section of artillery, unless his orders are peremptory from General Torbert to remain at Martinsburg. If he does so it will render all communication perfectly secure. Nothing but gross carelessness will enable the enemy to interfere. If you have use for Averell, a force should be provided for Charlestown. The quartermaster, Captain Gardner, informs me that by Saturday night he can have trains running to that point, and will therefore save twenty-four miles to our trains, avoiding the heavy hills between this post and that point. Should your purposes embrace the using of Charlestown as your advance depot I will endeavor to protect the road to that point. Your instructions in regard to this post are being carried out, and perhaps a few days will cure existing evils. Respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN D. STEVENSON, GENERAL ORDERS, HDORS. MIL. DIST. OF HARPER'S FERRY, No. 2. Captain Faithful, First Maryland Potomac Home Brigade, is hereby appointed assistant provost-marshal of the Military District of Harper's Ferry, and will be obeyed and respected accordingly. Captain Faithful will take the supervision of the line from Sandy Hook to Monocacy, and see that all rules, orders, and regulations are strictly carried out and good order observed. He will make duplicate daily reports to these headquarters and to the provost-marshal, Captain Pratt. By order of Brigadier-General Stevenson: H. M. BURLEIGH, Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, Brigadier-General AVERELL, Commanding Cavalry Division: GENERAL: Your communications concerning the change of your battery received. Your letter* inquiring as to whether you shall remain at Martinsburg has been referred to Brigadier-General Torbert, chief of cavalry, Middle Military Division. Very respectfully, JAS. W. FORSYTH, Lieutenant-Colonel and Chief of Staff. HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY, MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, Brigadier General AVERELL, Winchester, Va., August 17, 1864. Commanding Cavalry Division: GENERAL: You will remain at Martinsburg until further orders. In the meantime push matters to fit your command for active service. Send to me an application to have Battery L, Fifth U. S. Artillery, changed to horse artillery, and it will be done if possible. Send up a recommendation for Col. W. H. Powell, Second Virginia Cavalry. I will be at Winchester at least as long as I can stay. Third Division Cavalry, Army of the Potomac, is here, or coming in, and the First Division, Army of the Potomac, will be here to-morrow. Communicate with me directly. I am afraid to write more, under the circumstances. Send me a return of your command. Yours, &c., A. T. A. TORBERT, Brigadier-General of Volunteers, Chief of Cavalry. [AUGUST 17, 1864.-For Reno to Averell, ordering latter to fall back to Charlestown, &c., see p. 502.] |