HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, Major-General EMORY, Commanding Nineteenth Army Corps: GENERAL: I have ordered General Crook to come back to a point in rear of you. The cavalry will remain as heretofore at Berryville, and on crossing of Opequon. There is no movement of the enemy's infantry; they appear to be circulating about Winchester. It is reported that Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry is at Bunker Hill, with advance parties as far as Martinsburg. Should any cavalry movement take place you will at once be notified of it. Very respectfully, P. H. SHERIDAN, Major-General, Commanding. HDQRS. DETACHMENT NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS, Lieut. Col. J. W. FORSYTH, Chief of Staff: COLONEL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter directing that all detachments of cavalry in my command in excess of that authorized from these headquarters be ordered to report to Brigadier-General Torbert, chief of cavalry. I have received no order designating the number authorized from your headquarters, and respectfully request that I may be informed of the number. The only order that I am cognizant of on this subject is an order from the headquarters of General Wright (then commanding U. S. forces) making the following allowance: To each brigade headquarters as orderlies, three privates; to each division headquarters as orderlies, one noncommissioned officer and five privates; to each corps headquarters as orderlies, one non-commissioned officer and ten privates; to each corps headquarters as escort and provost guard, one officer, four noncommissioned officers, and forty-six men. This distribution has been made as far as possible, there being but one officer and twenty-five men for duty as escort and provost guard. I respectfully state that at least that number is necessary for provost duty alone. The company of cavalry detailed by General Torbert to relieve the detachments reporting to me was but forty strong, not enough to relieve the orderlies of the corps. All were relieved, however, that could be spared, leaving but twenty-five men for escort and provost duty. Under the allowance above stated I am deficient twenty men. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, W. H. EMORY, Brevet Major-General, Commanding. [Indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, Respectfully returned. August 24, 1861. The escort at corps headquarters, to consist of one squadron, is all the cavalry that is allowed to an infantry corps. All other orderlies, couriers, &c., must be infantry mounted by the quartermaster's department. By command of Major-General Sheridan: A. F. HAYDEN, Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, Brevet Major-General CROOK, Commanding Army of West Virginia: GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs that you at once move your command back toward Charlestown, via the Berryville and Charlestown pike. As soon as you have given the necessary orders of march for your command, you will ride in advance, so as to reach these headquarters before the head of your column can reach General Emory's position. You will receive instruction on your arrival here as to the position to be taken up by your troops. Very respectfully, JAS. W. FORSYTH, Lieutenant-Colonel and Chief of Staff. HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY, MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, General MERRITT, Commanding First Division: August 20, 1864. GENERAL: I have the honor to inclose you copy of order* from General Sheridan's headquarters in reference to house-burning, &c. General Torbert wishes that you would return to General Crook the ambulances belonging to him that you have been using, if you have received your own. General Wilson reports that a party of General Averell's, which started from his headquarters to return to General Averell, were driven back between Middleway and Bunker Hill, and that the enemy were in the latter place in some force. Very respectfully, M. A. RENO, Captain and Chief of Staff. Gun ammunition goes with this escort. Return the wagons as soon as possible. SUMMIT POINT, August 20, 1864-12 m. MY DEAR MERRITT: Everything quiet in this direction. Rebels picketing along the Opequon. Averell's two squadrons were driven out of Martinsburg yesterday (report) by Fitzhugh Lee's division and two regiments of infantry. Reno writes: "They (we) anticipate, a movement of rebels in force through Snicker's Gap to join Lee's entire army for au invasion by Edwards' Ferry," which I don't believe. What's going on? Very truly, yours, J. H. WILSON]. August 20, 1864. HEADQUARTERS FIRST CAVALRY DIVISION, I wish you would send frequently reconnaissances to your front and right front to learn anything of importance with reference to the move See Sheridan to Torbert, August 16, p. 43. ments of the enemy. The major-general commanding the army is anxious for information. You will also send out and arrest all male citizens between the ages of sixteen and fifty years in the neighborhood of your camp and lines, and send them to the provost-marshal at these headquarters. It would be well to send well off to your left flank to stir up and kill as many of the bushwhackers as possible who are between you and the river. Give strict orders that no men go more than half a mile from camp, save in organized parties, under officers. The guerrillas have murdered ten or twelve of our men in this neighborhood already. Very respectfully, W. MERRITT, Brigadier-General of Volunteers, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS FIRST CAVALRY DIVISION, August 20, 1864. Colonel DI CESNOLA, Commanding Second Brigade, First Cavalry Division : COLONEL: I should much rather [that] you remain in command of the brigade until the return of Colonel Devin. I do not know the nature of the order directing your muster-out. If it is not positive, I would recommend you to remain with the brigade for the present. Very respectfully, W. MERRITT, Brigadier-General of Volunteers, Commanding. Have you heard anything from the reconnaissance toward the Front Royal pike? Report as soon as it returns. Respectfully, W. MERRITT. HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, Capt. A. E. Dana, Assistant Adjutant-General : CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that both parties sent on to reconnoiter, one to Millwood and the other toward Front Royal pike, reported all quiet toward Front Royal. It seems there has not been any movement or passage of troops in that direction since yesterday. At Millwood the reconnoitering party received instructions from me to surround the town and try to capture Mosby's men, who were reported yet to be in those vicinities, but the officer in charge found no armed men there except the five citizens that I sent to the division provostmarshal. I just received information that our pickets were fired into ten minutes ago in the direction of Front Royal, on the right of the stone chapel. I have a regiment standing to horse to meet any emergency if it is the case, but I suppose it is nothing else but some guerrillas who followed the reconnoitering party. I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, DI CESNOLA, Colonel, Commanding Second Brigade. 55 R R-VOL XLIII, PT I HEADQUARTERS FIRST NEW YORK DRAGOONS, Capt. WILLIAM H. H. EMMONS, Assistant Adjutant-General, Cavalry Reserve Brigade : CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that, in accordance with instructions from division headquarters, I proceeded to-day with the First New York Dragoons and Second U. S. Cavalry to Mr. Ware's house, on the Snicker's Ferry pike; there turned to the left and advanced to Myersville and Kabletown, where I halted and sent a scouting party of ten men on to the river, where they encountered a party of twelve of Mosby's men, who fired at my men, then ran, crossing the river and dispersing in the hills beyond. I learned from the citizens that Mosby with his men was camped at this point on the river night before last, and that he was through Kabletown yesterday with a small party. I did not cross the river, as my horses were very tired, and there seemed to be no opportunity of bringing the enemy to bay with his numberless mountain roads by which to escape. I would respectfully suggest that if a sufficient force were sent across the river above Kabletown and another at Snicker's Ferry, with orders to cover the roads between the mountains and the river, the former force to move up the river and the latter down, the chances would be much better for capturing his party. I would also report that, in obedience to orders, I arrested the ablebodied citizens found on the route, whom I send you, five in number. In returning through Rippon I struck the rear of our infantry column moving in the direction of Charlestown. Also met Major Starr with the Sixth Pennsylvania about two miles out of this place, establishing a picket-line to cover the Charlestown pike, endeavoring to make connection with the infantry pickets as ordered, which he had not succeeded at that time in doing. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, HOWARD M. SMITH, Major, Commanding First New York Dragoons. HEADQUARTERS THIRD CAVALRY DIVISION, Capt. M. A. RENO, Chief of Staff, Cavalry Forces: CAPTAIN: Your dispatch in regard to the enemy's intentions, as revealed through General Averell, is just received. I sent you a report from Colonel Moore this morning, indicating movements in the direc tion of Martinsburg. Have taken measures to ascertain the truth of the reports, and will report. My empty wagons left here last night at The enemy seems to be picketing the entire line of the Opequon. I have directed a regiment to make a reconnaissance for the purpose of ascertaining the size, position, and movements of all hostile parties on that stream. 8 p. m. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. H. WILSON, Brigadier-General. HDQRS. FIRST BRIGADE, THIRD DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS, Brigadier-General WILSON, August 20, 1864. Commanding Third Division, Cavalry Corps: GENERAL: I had already sent to Harkins to send out a patrol and see if Merritt's brigades were on the Berryville and Winchester pike. The patrol reports quite a wagon train passing on the Berryville and Charlestown pike guarded by infantry. The scouts have been sent out toward the Martinsburg pike with directions to go to Martinsburg if possible. Respectfully, J. B. MCINTOSH, HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS, Brigadier-General CHAPMAN, Commanding Second Brigade: Please take measures at once to ascertain the truth of the report sent in by Colonel Moore, sending out proper scouting parties toward the Martinsburg and Winchester pikes. If they cannot cross the Opequon directly, let them work in by Middleway or to the north of it. I want the whole line of the creek examined, the size, position, and movements of all rebel pickets reported. One good regiment should be sent. You must ascertain whether or not the enemy is using the Martinsburg pike, and by what forces. Very respectfully, J. H. WILSON, HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DISTRICT OF HARPER'S FERRY, Harper's Ferry, Va., August 20, 1864. Major-General SHERIDAN: GENERAL: I send you copy of report* of scout made by Loudoun County Rangers as far as Leesburg. By it it would seem that there is no movement of enemy in direction of Leesburg. I have ordered another scout for to-morrow as far as Aldie; shall promptly report result. A cavalry picket strong enough to make a scout through Keyes' Gap should be stationed at Keyes' Ford. You can find men in Cole's (First Maryland) cavalry familiar with the country. Nothing from Averell. Respectfully, &c., JOHN D. STEVENSON, HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, General AVERELL: Charlestown, August 20, 1864. Your dispatch just received. There is no indication of movements on my front. The enemy appear to be at Winchester and this side. *Not found; but see Chipman to Stanton, 8 p. m., p. 858. |