SPECIAL ORDERS, HDQRS. ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,

No. 170. Washington, December 5, 1861.

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7. The Major-General Commanding has read attentively and with much satisfaction the report of Captain William H. Boyd, First New York Cavalry, of the reconnaissance made on the 27th ultimo by the squadron under his command, consisting of Boyd's and Bennett's companies of that regiment. The coolness and discretion displayed on that occasion by Captain Boyd and the officers and men of his command deserve the highest praise, and have won for them the confidence of the Commanding General.

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By command of Major-General McClellan:

S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

NOVEMBER 30, 1861.-Skirmish near mouth of Little Cacapon River, West Virginia.

Report of Brigadier General B. F. Kelley, U. S. Army.

ROMNEY, VA., November 30, 1861-11 p.m.

Nothing new to-night except bushwhackers captured 6 of our horses and wounded 3 men to-day. Teams were out on river road south of town after hay. But to offset that, Captain Dyche's met party of secesh near mouth of Little Cacapon and captured 4 horses, saddles and bridles, one a field officer's. Little Cacapon Bridge will be done to-morrow morning.

B. F. KELLEY,

Brigadier-General.

Major General GEORGE B. McCLELLAN.

DECEMBER 2, 1861. -Skirmish at Annandale, Va.

REPORTS.

No. 1.-Brigadier General Louis Blenker, U. S. Army.

No. 2.-Major Alonzo W. Adams, First New York Cavalry.

No. 3.-Brigadier General William B. Franklin, U. S. Army.

No. 4.-Brigadier General John Newton, U. S. Army.

No. 1. Report of Brigadier General Louis Blenker, U. S. Army.

HDQRS. BRIGADIER-GENERAL BLENKER'S DIVISION, Hunter's Chapel, December 4, 1861.

SIR: I respectfully lay before you a detailed report of the skirmish which took place in the afternoon of the 2nd instant between our pickets and part of the rebel cavalry. The following are the particulars of this affair: