thought to be concentrating at Smithfield to-night. Whether this is preparatory to a movement up the Valley or into Pennsylvania is uncertain, but indications are of the former. His cavalry is withdrawn from the fords. Sheridan's cavalry is watching the enemy closely. The infantry have not as yet broken camp, but will probably be put in motion to-morrow. Twelve hours will certainly disclose the purpose of the enemy. N. P. CHIPMAN, Colonel and Aide-de-Camp. CIRCULAR.] HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, Halltown, Va., August 27, 1864-7.30, p. m. Corps and other independent commanders will have their commands in readiness to move at daylight to-morrow. The following will be the allowance of transportation; one wagon and one spring-wagon for corps, division, and brigade headquarters; the ammunition trains and ambulances, and also medical supply wagons; necessary transportation for intrenching tools. All other wagons and vehicles will be parked inside the fortifications at Bolivar Heights to await further orders from these headquarters. The men will be supplied with three days' rations, which will be required to last four days. By command of Major-General Sheridan: JAS. W. FORSYTH, Lieutenant-Colonel and Chief of Staff. HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY BRIGADE, Lieut. Col. J. H. TAYLOR, Chief of Staff and Assistant Adjutant-General : COLONEL: I have the honor to report that reports, well authenticated, were brought in at an early hour this morning to the effect that a forcé of the enemy numbering about 100 were occupying the country in our immediate vicinity, having been seen yesterday immediately east of Fairfax Court-House, and this morning between this point and Vienna. Mosby, with a few men, was reported as having been seen to-day in Fairfax Court-House. Under these circumstances, and as the immediate neighborhood and the country from fifteen to twenty miles in our front is reported as overrun by small parties, I sent Major Horton, with about 220 men, all that could be sent of the Sixteenth New York, including one company from Annandale, to make a thorough exami nation of the country between here and Goose Creek and beyond, as far as consistent with success. Mosby, in his attack on Annandale, had with him 350 men, as is reported by a daughter of Yankee Davis and the lady who went with her with a letter concerning Doctor Boyle today to your headquarters. One of them counted them, she reports, as he passed their house. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. M. LAZELLE, Colonel Sixteenth New York Cavalry, Comdg. Cavalry Brigade. HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, Brevet Major-General EMORY, Commanding Nineteenth Army Corps: General Crook has pushed out his skirmish line to nearly where the enemy's guns were yesterday; push forward yours, with supports, and find if the enemy have withdrawn their skirmish line in your front. 'P. H. SHERIDAN, Major-General. COLONEL: Lieutenant Noyes, of my staff, has just returned from Averell, at Hagerstown, and reports that up to dusk last night no rebels had crossed the river anywhere. I send you a note* from A[verell] dated 6.40 p. m. Noyes came back by Sharpsburg. Colonel Hammond, at midnight, reported all quiet at Shepherdstown. Noyes saw him and says there are no indications of a crossing by the rebels. The fords are strongly watched, and any attempt would be vigorously met. I shall move at daylight and in accordance with previous instructions, having heard nothing from you or General Torbert since yesterday morning. The river had raised six inches last night; it has raised a good deal here. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. H. WILSON, Brigadier-General. HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS, On Hagerstown Pike, near Mercersville, August 27, 1864. Lieutenant-Colonel FORSYTH, Chief of Staff, General Sheridan: A company of infantry has just passed here belonging to the Thirtyfourth Ohio, of which the commanding officer reports that he was cut off at the Back Creek bridge the day before yesterday by a force of rebel cavalry about 400 in number. He states that in order to prevent the capture of himself and company he crossed the Potomac and is now returning to his command at Harper's Ferry. He says the bridge was burnt about half an hour after he had left. I have just received a note from General Averell, dated 1 p. m., in which he says the enemy's cavalry has withdrawn from the river at Williamsport and above; that a detachment of his crossed at Dam No. 5 last night, discovering indications of a retreat. Breckinridge's corps moved yesterday at 2 p. m. to Big Spring, beyond Martinsburg, covered, he thinks, by Fitz Lee's cavalry. The general further says that he has sent a reconnoitering party in the direction of Martinsburg to find the enemy. I shall start similar parties at once. Very respectfully, J. H. WILSON, Brigadier-General, Commanding. *Not found. HEADQUARTERS THIRD CAVALRY DIVISION, Lieutenant-Colonel FORSYTH, August 27, 1864—3.45 p. m. Chief of Staff, General Sheridan, Harper's Ferry: General Torbert passed by here to Hagerstown an hour ago. My division is here; Custer near Shepherdstown. No indications of movements by the enemy. As soon as my signal station is established shall communicate often. Very respectfully, J. H. WILSON, HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, Brig. Gen. J. H. WILSON, Commanding Third Cavalry Division: GENERAL: General Torbert went over to see you to-day. The enemy last night concentrated at Smithfield and Leetown, those in my front falling back to Smithfield, or to some point between it and Charlestown. Fitz Lee's cavalry fell back toward Martinsburg and to a point twelve miles from Williamsport. The indications are that they will fall back perhaps out of the Valley. The enemy this evening advanced a skirmish line toward Charlestown. I want you back here as soon as things are a little more developed. Tell Torbert to order back Custer. The enemy have either to cross the river or quit the Valley, leaving a minimum force to oppose me. The indications are that their projected campaign is a failure. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, P. H. SHERIDAN, Major-General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, Brig. Gen. J. H. WILSON, Commanding Third Cavalry Division : GENERAL: The indications are that the rebel army is falling back to leave the Valley. I want you to move your command to the Shepherdstown Ford at once, and if my information is correct you will get orders to join me quickly, crossing at that ford. If General Torbert is with you show him this. I will order Averell by Martinsburg. Very respectfully, P. H. SHERIDAN, Major-General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS THIRD CAVALRY DIVISION, Three Miles north of Sharpsburg, August 27, 1864—11 p. m. Major-General SHERIDAN, Commanding Middle Military Division: GENERAL: Your dispatch of 6 p. m. is just received. I will move down to Shepherdstown at 4.20 a. m. Have sent the dispatch to Torbert at Hagerstown. The indications of a retreat are the same all along the river. A man from my command, taken prisoner at Reams' Station, has just come in; left Wickham's command at Hainestown [Hainesville] yesterday. The defense, or rather show of it, at Williamsport prevented an attempt at crossing. He says nothing of their giv ing up the design of invasion, but thinks they are a little uncertain. He says they have two divisions of Longstreet's corps, Pickett's and Kershaw's, beyond any doubt. Fitzhugh Lee commands all the cavalry. Lomax relieved Bradley Johnson in command of the Valley cavalry, and that two divisions of Tennessee and Georgia cavalry are with them, one of them under Morgan. Supposed that Averell had sent in this information. I have sent scouts over the river. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. H. WILSON, Brigadier-General. ORDERS.] HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS, August 27, 1864-11.45 p. m. The command will move at precisely 4 a. m. August 28 to Shepherdstown, in the following order: first, McIntosh's brigade, with Fitzhugh's battery; second, ambulances, ammunition train; third, Chapman's brigade, with Pennington's battery. All pickets will be drawn in at daylight or in sufficient time to join the column while crossing. General McIntosh will move without further notice at precisely the hour indicated. By command of Brigadier-General Wilson: L. SIEBERT, Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS THIRD CAVALRY DIVISION, Brigadier-General MCINTOSH, Commanding First Brigade: GENERAL: Lieutenant Noyes has just returned from Hagerstown via Sharpsburg. No rebels of any kind had crossed to the north side of Potomac up to dark, but they were making strong movements looking to that step. Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry, 8,000 strong, were at Harrisville [Hainesville] (I don't know where that is) last night. Please order Haminond to move his entire regiment to the fords at Shepherdstown at once, and send another regiment to his assistance without delay. The balance of the command will hold on here till further orders. J. H. WILSON, HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS, General MCINTOSH, Commanding First Brigade: GENERAL: Your note just received. Enemy's cavalry has been withdrawn from the river at Williamsport and above. A detachment of mine crossed at Damn 5 last night, and reconnoitered the enemy's left flank and rear, discovering indications of a retreat. Breckinridge's corps moved at 2 p. m. yesterday to Big Spring, beyond Martinsburg. Fitz Lee's cavalry is, I think, covering the retreat of the infantry. Saint James is still, I think, the best place for you to-night, as from that point you can reach any ford below Williamsport by direct route. I have sent reconnoitering party in direction of Martinsburg to find the enemy. The general desires that you send small scouting parties across the river to-night to find out what the enemy are doing and where they are. He directs that your pickets connect with those of Averell on your right and with Custer's on your left; that you send patrolling and reconnoitering parties up to Dam No. 4, and keep a constant and watchful eye on all the fords on your front. I remain, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, HEADQUARTERS THIRD CAVALRY DIVISION, Brigadier-General MCINTOSH, Commanding First Division: August 27, 1864—11.30 p. m. Information from General Sheridan is that the enemy has fallen back. Please communicate with your regiment at the river, and have scouting parties sent at once. We are ordered to Shepherdstown, and shall move very early. J. H. WILSON, HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, Brig. Gen. W. W. AVERELL, Commanding Cavalry Division: GENERAL: The indications are that the rebel army are about leaving the Valley. As soon as you find such to be the case, join me via Martinsburg. I will follow them. General Wilson has been ordered to Shepherdstown Ford to join me, crossing there when my information is confirmed. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Brig. Gen. W. W. AVERELL: P. H. SHERIDAN, Major-General, Commanding. CUMBERLAND, August 27, 1864. GENERAL: Yours per Colonel Moore was duly received. I regret I cannot comply with your request in regard to relieving the Eighth Ohio before the arrival of troops to take their place. The picket at Huttonsville, seventy strong, was surprised and captured on Wednesday morning last, which has produced great excitement and alarm in that part of the State. As soon as troops arrive I will relieve the detachment and send it forward at once. Please send up a courier daily to Hancock and keep me advised of the movements of the enemy. Telegraph line working to Hancock, In haste, I am, yours, &c. B. F. KELLEY, |