HALLTOWN, VA., August 26, 1864-9 a. m. Maj. Gen. C. C. AUGUR, Commanding Department of Washington: Your dispatch received.* Nothing has passed through Snicker's Gap. The operations in Loudoun County and of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry can, of course, be only in proportion to the force you have for the purpose. I have made no change in my position here, and the enemy has made no attempt to cross at Shepherdstown. HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF WASHINGTON, 22D ARMY CORPS, August 26, 1864. Major-General SHERIDAN, Commanding Middle Division, Harper's Ferry: Colonel Gansevoort, with his regiment, Thirteenth New York Cavalry, have returned, and bring information that there is no force of the enemy either at Culpeper or Warrenton, and but small parties passing up into the Valley. The railroad is not used this side of Culpeper. Supplies for the rebels pass through Sperryville and Thornton's Gap. C. C. AUGUR, Major-General, Commanding. HDQRS. DEPT. OF WASHINGTON, 22D ARMY CORPS, Major-General SHERIDAN, Commanding Middle Military Division, Harper's Ferry: The provisional battalion of cavalry belonging to Gregg's division, which is now on the upper Potomac guarding the river while the Eighth Illinois is absent, has been ordered to City Point. This will leave me without means of guarding the river while the Eighth Illinois is absent. Major Waite reports to-day that he cannot get his regiment ready to move before Monday. The forges, coal, &c., had to be sent from here. I think he will get ready as soon as possible. If you think it advisable I will send out the Sixteenth New York in the direction of Aldie. They cannot raise more than 300 for the field, and they cannot go to Snicker's Gap. They may scout about Aldie and pick up rumors. C. C. AUGUR, Major-General, Commanding. HALLTOWN, W. VA., August 26, 1864-8 p. m. Major-General AUGUR, Commanding Department of Washington: I have nothing important to report to-night. The movements of the enemy yesterday evening toward Shepherdstown did not cause me to make any changes, and from appearances they went back to Charlestown or vicinity last night. This evening Crook made a dash at their line and Lowell charged and captured seven officers and sixty-nine *Of August 25, 9 p. m., p. 909. privates, one lieutenant-colonel. Yesterday I got twenty-four in a charge made by Seventeenth Pennsylvania. Averell reports rebel cavalry at Williamsport, but no crossing of the river. P. H. SHERIDAN, Major-General. HALLTOWN, VA., August 26, 1864-10.30 p.m. Major-General AUGUR, Department of Washington: Your dispatch of 3 p. m. received. I am instructed by the majorgeneral commanding to say that Gregg's cavalry should be sent to him (Gregg) at once. You will, with the cavalry that you have on hand belonging to your department, picket the river and send out scouting parties as you may deem best. Very respectfully, JAS. W. FORSYTH, Lieutenant-Colonel and Chief of Staff. P. S.-Crook's men brought in to-day the horses of eight of Mosby's men. J. W. F. HILTON HEAD, August 26, 1864, (Via Fort Monroe 4 p. m. 28th. Received 11.20 p. m. 28th.) Major-General HALLECK, Chief of Staff: On the steamer Fulton I send the One hundred and fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, 900 men, to Washington to report to you. The commanding officer has orders to report by telegraph from Fort Monroe, and then, unless otherwise ordered, to proceed to Alexandria and march thence to Washington. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, [Indorsement.] J. G. FOSTER, Major-General. On its arrival this regiment will report to Major-General Augur for assignment to duty in the defenses. By order of Major-General Halleck: J. C. KELTON, Assistant Adjutant-General. HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF WASHINGTON, 22D ARMY CORPS, August 26, 1864. Maj. JOHN M. WAITE, Commanding at Muddy Branch: Major Fry has been relieved from duty on the upper Potomac, with his detachment. You will leave no picket on the river. Your regimental camp must be left in charge of a squad of convalescents and dismounted men. Very respectfully, J. H. TAYLOR, Chief of Staff and Assistant Adjutant-General. MUDDY BRANCH, August 26, 1864. Lieut. Col. J. H. TAYLOR, Chief of Staff: COLONEL: If the river is to be left open the enemy can cross two or three at a time and concentrate in the woods quite a little force.. I find on my return something like thirty or forty over in rear. It will require larger guard at telegraph station, Darnestown. My regimental property will be much exposed. Respectfully, JNO. M. WAITE, Major, &c. HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF WASHINGTON, 22D ARMY CORPS, Washington, D. C., August 26, 1864. Col. H. M. LAZELLE, Commanding Cavalry Brigade: COLONEL: The major-general commanding desires that you prepare your regiment, the Sixteenth New York Cavalry, for active service, with as little delay as practicable. You will be expected to scout, in conjunction with the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, in the direction of Upperville. Please inform these headquarters when your people will be ready. I am, colonel, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, J. H. TAYLOR, 5. Pursuant with instructions received from headquarters Middle Military Division, directing Brig. Gen. D. D. Bidwell to remain on duty with this corps, he is hereby assigned to the command of the Third Brigade, Second Division. By command of Major-General Wright: C. H. WHITTELSEY, HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, Bvt. Maj. Gen. GEORGE CROOK, Commanding Army of West Virginia: GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs that you make a strong reconnaissance in your front at 4 p. m. to-day with one division of your army. The general also instructs me to say that he will visit your headquarters in the course of an hour. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, .P. S.-The reconnaissance should be made on the left of your line. JAS. W. FORSYTH, Lieutenant-Colonel and Chief of Staff. MCCLELLAN'S LOOKOUT, August 26, 1864. Lieut. Col. J. W. FORSYTH: Lieutenant Hall reports that he can see no rebels in Shepherdstown Our cavalry left Sharpsburg at 11 a. m., on the road to Harper's HOW. ELLIS, [Indorsement.] Respectfully referred to Brigadier-General Torbert. Major-General. General MERRITT, HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, Commanding First Division: GENERAL: Have you heard anything of General Custer and brigade and First New York? What news from the reconnaissance you were directed to send toward Shepherdstown this morning on the road we came yesterday? General Sheridan is anxious to know whether their infantry are where we left them near the brick church. Yours, &c., A. T. A. TORBERT, Brigadier-General of Volunteers. Brigadier-General MERRITT, Commanding Division: AUGUST 26, 1864-7.05 p. m. GENERAL: No report whatever has been sent from these headquar ters, as everything was quiet and is quiet. Not a single shot has been fired to day by my pickets. My line extends from the river to the right of Colonel Gibbs, well connecting with him. I would have sent, as usual, the report of the picket, even when nothing occurred, but I was inspecting the line myself and it kept me nearly all day out of camp. Very respectfully, yours, DI CESNOLA, Colonel, Commanding Second Brigade. HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY, MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, Brigadier-General CUSTER, Near Halltown, August 26, 1864. Commanding First Brigade: GENERAL: The chief of cavalry directs that you move your brigade and the First New York Dragoons (as soon as General Wilson's division arrives at Shepherdstown Ford) to Antietam Ford, or to a good position in the vicinity of the mouth of Antietam Creek. Report your arrival to Generals Sheridan, Merritt, and these headquarters. General Merritt is for the present on the right of the infantry. The brigadiergeneral commanding also desires me to extend his congratulations to you in getting your command across the river. Very respectfully, (Copy to General Merritt.) Captain and Chief of Staff. HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE, FIRST DIVISION, General TORBERT, Commanding Cavalry Corps: GENERAL: I have the honor to report the arrival at this point (Antietam Creek) of my command. I had a severe engagement with the enemy yesterday near Shepherdstown. The enemy attempted to cut me off from the fords, but were unsuccessful. My command crossed at Boteler's Ford in as good order as if marching from parade; I did not see a single straggler. The enemy made desperate efforts to cap. ture Ransom's guns, but were foiled. My loss is quite small, considering the circumstances. Very respectfully, Please send this to General Merritt. G. A. CUSTER, HEADQUARTERS THIRD CAVALRY DIVISION, Brigadier-General CUSTER, Antietam Ford: GENERAL: I have received an order, a copy of which I sent you several hours ago, directing me to hold the Shepherdstown fords, but since then I have heard through the Fifth New York that Averell had not succeeded in preventing the rebels crossing at Williamsport, and had fallen back with the view of fighting at Hagerstown. In view of these facts I have thought it best not to go to Shepherdstown, but to hold myself in readiness to support Averell by marching rapidly to Hagerstown and forming a junction with him. I have sent through an officer to communicate with him, and directed the Fifth New York to watch the fords. If the enemy has already crossed, the first thing is to whip him, and if we all go at him together Lee hasn't got cavalry enough in this portion of the country to withstand us. I hope you got off yesterday evening without any serious loss. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. H. WILSON, Brigadier-General. |