HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF WASHINGTON, 22D ARMY CORPS, August 24, 1864–12.30 p. m. Major-General SHERIDAN, Commanding Middle Division, Harper's Ferry: I have good reason to believe that the Eighth Illinois Cavalry have been in the vicinity of Hillsborough. C. C. AUGUR, Major-General, Commanding. HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF WASHINGTON, 22D ARMY CORPS, Washington, D. C., August 24, 1864-9 p. m. Major-General SHERIDAN, Commanding Middle Division, Harper's Ferry : Major Waite, commanding Eighth Illinois Cavalry, has returned to Muddy Branch with his regiment, bringing in sixty-two men, rebel sympathizers, arrested under Lieutenant-General Grant's order. He brings in also all the horses he found fit for cavalry service. He found no old corn, but plenty of new and unthrashed wheat and hay, but says he could not find wagons enough to bring in one stack of wheat. He found very few negroes. He saw no signs of the enemy, except small squads of Mosby's men. I will send Major Waite out again as soon as his horses are rested. Do you wish all the crops destroyed that cannot be brought in? C. C. AUGUR, Major-General, U. S. Volunteers. HALLTOWN, W. Va., August 24, 1864–9.30 p. m. Major-General AUGUR, Commanding: I have nothing very important to communicate. Report sent you by Colonel Lazelle of information received from a refugee has been to some extent confirmed by reports from other sources, excepting as to time. Both Crook and Emory made reconnaissances to-day. Crook drove in the advance line of the enemy on our left, capturing some prisoners from Early's corps. My information from Snicker's Gap is that no troops have passed through in your direction. I will commence operations seriously with the cavalry to-morrow. Early cannot maintain his present position, and from indications does not know what to do. He cannot cross at Williamsport, for he gives up his line, and I do not believe that B[reckinridge] can cross at Suicker's Gap or the other passes for nearly the same reason. I hope the Eighth Illinois has cleaned out Loudoun Valley. I will do the same with this country before I am done with it. The Second Cavalry was in Martinsburg yesterday and last night. Nothing has been there except a small squad of rebels for only an hour or so at a time. P. H. SHERIDAN, SPECIAL ORDERS, WAR DEPT., ADJT. GENERAL'S OFFICE, 1. Col. John A. Elison, quartermaster's department, will report in person, without delay, to Major-General Augur, U. S. Volunteers, to relieve Lieut. Col. E. M. Greene, quartermaster's department, in his duties as chief quartermaster, Department of Washington. Lieutenant-Colonel Greene will turn over to Colonel Elison all money and property in his possession pertaining to the Department of Wash ington, including the contraband fund. HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF WASHINGTON, 22D ARMY Corps, Lieutenant-Colonel WELLS, Alexandria: It is reported that the enemy (supposed to be Mosby) has attacked the stockade at Annandale. Send at once what cavalry you have to that point to find the force of the enemy. Report information. Respectfully, J. H. TAYLOR, Cheef of Staff and Assistant Adjutant-General. Lieut. Col. J. H. TAYLOR, ALEXANDRIA, August 24, 1864. Chief of Staff and Assistant Adjutant-General : An attack was made at Annandale about 5 o'clock this morning; the force is not known. The rebels were driven off. Major Horton, of Sixteenth New York, is following rebels up. Mosby was said to be in command, and demanded a surrender, which was refused. He had two pieces of cannon, and fired grape and canister. Re-enforcements have been sent from Falls Church. I have also sent out all my cavalry. Respectfully, H. H. WELLS, Lieut. Col. and Prov. Mar. Gen., Defenses South of the Potomac. ALEXANDRIA, VA., August 24, 1864. (Received 3.25 p. m.) Colonel TAYLOR, Assistant Adjutant-General: COLONEL: The force attacking at Annandale this morning was Mosby's, between 200 and 300, with artillery. They were repulsed, and re treated through Fairfax Court-House toward Centerville. Our cavalry in pursuit, about one hour and a half behind.* H. H. WELLS, Lieutenant-Colonel, &c. * See also Wells to Taylor, p. 637. FORT CORCORAN, August 24, 1864. Lieut. Col. J. H. TAYLOR: An orderly just arrived with dispatches from cavalry camp near Falls Church, Va., informing me that the post at Annandale has been attacked by a large force of the enemy, having artillery. One hundred and seventy of the cavalry battalion is in stockade at Annandale. This dispatch is signed by Col. H. M. Lazelle, through his adjutant, Lieutenant Lansing, acting assistant adjutant-general. Can you send me troops? G. A. DE RUSSY Brigadier-General of Volunteers. HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF WASHINGTON, 22D ARMY CORPS, Washington, D. C., August 24, 1864. Brigadier-General DE RUSSY, Fort Corcoran: GENERAL: The force can only be Mosby's. Further informatiou will be forwarded when received. Respectfully, J. H. TAYLOR, Chief of Staff and Assistant Adjutant-General. HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF WASHINGTON, 22D ARMY CORPS, Brigadier-General DE RUSSY, Washington, D. C., August 24, 1864. Commanding Division: GENERAL: The attacking force at Annandale was simply a detachment of Mosby's people, and has been driven off. Respectfully, J. H. TAYLOR, Chief of Staff and Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY BRIGADE, Near Fort Buffalo, Va., August 24, 1864-6 a. m. Lieut. Col. J. H. TAYLOR, Chief of Staff and Assistant Adjutant-General: COLONEL: I have the honor to inform you that an orderly has just arrived from a picket-post this side of Annandale bringing information that the stockade at Annandale is being attacked; in what force is not known, but have artillery. The shots can be heard distinctly from here. One of the men said that he saw two pieces of artillery and about fifty men. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. M. LAZELLE, Colonel Sixteenth New York Cavalry, Comdg. Cavalry Brigade. HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY BRIGADE, Near Fort Buffalo, Va., August 24, 1864—9 a. m. Lieut. Col. J. H. TAYLOR, Chief of Staff and Assistant Adjutant-General : COLONEL: I have the honor to inform you that a dispatch has just been received from the officer commanding at Annandale. He states that Mosby attacked and drove in the pickets on the Fairfax CourtHouse road this morning about 5 o'clock. Afterward attacked the stockade, shelled it awhile, ordered it three times to surrender, and finding it would not, withdrew and gave up the attack, probably with an intention to threaten some other part of our picket-line. On learning of the attack every available man was sent out from here to give relief. Mosby had with him two pieces of artillery and with a force variously estimated at from less than 200 to 300, and even 500, men. No damage was done by him, except the wounding of one horse. The firing lasted about three-quarters of an hour, and the cannon were placed not over 300 or 400 yards from the stockade. The morning was exceed ingly foggy, and what execution was done by our men is not known. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. M. LAZELLE, Colonel Sixteenth New York Cavalry, Comdg. Cavalry Brigade. Lieut. Col. J. H. TAYLOR, HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY BRIGADE, Chief of Staff and Assistant Adjutant-General: COLONEL: I have the honor to report that no information has been received from Colonel Gansevoort. A picket-post, consisting of one corporal and three men, was picked up by Mosby this morning near Annandale. He was followed with all available mounted men to Ger mantown this morning as soon as a force could be sent from here. He was reported by citizens to have in reserve in that vicinity two addi tional pieces of artillery in position, and a considerable party with them. His whole strength was about 250 men. He had evidently been misinformed of the strength of the force at Annaudale, and supposed it much less. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. M. LAZELLE, Colonel Sixteenth New York Cavalry, Comdg. Cavalry Brigade. HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY BRIGADE, Brigadier-General DE RUSSY. Comdg. Defenses South of the Potomac, Fort Corcoran, Va.: GENERAL: I have the honor to inform you that the attack at Annandale has ceased, and the rebels withdrew, perhaps with the intention of attacking some other part of my picket-line. The attacking party is said to have consisted of from less than 200 to 300, even 500 men, with two pieces artillery, all under Mosby. No damage was done. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. M. LAZELLE, Colonel Sixteenth New York Cavalry, Commanding Brigade. Lieut. C. B. LYELL, HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY BRIGADE, Thirteenth New York Cav., Comdg. Cav. at Lewinsville: LIEUTENANT: The party under Mosby which attacked the camp at Annandale this morning has retired from the attack without accomplishing anything more than the wounding of one horse. Another attempt will doubtless be made somewhere along our line, either during the day or to-night. The point selected will probably be at your stockade. The colonel commanding directs me to tell you to caution your pickets and your men to be on the alert, and assure yourself that they are, especially toward daybreak to-morrow, should an attack not come sooner. Keep two horses saddled in the stockade all the day and tonight, and in the case of an attack let us know here at once by sending out in two different directions. This will make sure of one of your messengers reaching us. Colonel Lazelle directs you not to surrender your command under any consideration or emergency. Please send word by the bearer how many horses and men you have with you. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, EDWIN Y. LANSING, First Lieutenant and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. Capt. E. B. PARSONS, Assistant Adjutant-General, Middle Military Division: CAPTAIN: In compliance with orders, I have the honor to report the following as field return for to-day: GENERAL: The chief of cavalry directs that you move your divis ion at 6 a. m. on the Smithfield pike, marching as far as Walper's CrossRoads, awaiting at that point until joined by the Third Division. |