I noticed a great many fat cattle in Loudoun, which indirectly find their way to the rebel army. Allow me to suggest the propriety of seizing the same for the benefit of the Government. I traveled the by-roads almost exclusively.

I returned to camp because my rations of bread were exhausted, and the major part of my horses shoeless; as soon as they are shod, which requires a few days, I will be pleased to return to Loudoun in quest of the guerrillas who have infested that section for so long a time, if it meets with the approbation of the general.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

HENRY A. COLE,

Major, Commanding.

Captain WILLIAM M. BOONE,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Lockwood's Division.

SEPTEMBER 13-17, 1863.-Advance of the Union Forces from the Rappahannock to the Rapidan.

SUMMARY OF THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS.

Sept. 13, 1863.-Skirmishes at Brandy Station, Muddy Run, Culpeper Court-House, Pony Mountain, and Stevensburg.

14-16, 1863.-Skirmishes at Somerville, Raccoon and Robertson's Fords, and Rapidan Station.

17, 1863.-Skirmish at Raccoon Ford.

REPORTS.*

Numbers 1.-Major General Alfred Pleasonton, U. S. Army, commanding Cavalry Corps.

Numbers 2.-Captain Davis E. Castle, Nineteenth Indiana Infantry, Acting Signal Officer.

Numbers 3.-Colonel Horace B. Sargent, First Massachusetts Cavalry, commanding detachment First Brigade, Second Cavalry Division, of skirmish (15th) at Rapidan Station.

Numbers 4.-Brigadier General Judson Kilpatrick, U. S. Army, commanding Third Cavalry Division.

Numbers 5.-Colonel Henry E. Davies, jr., Second New York Cavalry, commanding First Brigade.

Numbers 6.-Lieutenant Colonel Peter Stagg, First Michigan Cavalry.

Numbers 7.-Colonel Russell A. Alger, Fifth Michigan Cavalry.

Numbers 8.-Colonel George Gray, Sixth Michigan Cavalry.

Numbers 9.-Colonel William D. Mann, Seventh Michigan Cavalry.

No. 10.-Colonel Edward B. Sawyer, First Vermont Cavalry, Commanding Second Brigade.

No. 11.-Major William Wells, First Vermont Cavalry, of skirmish (13th) at Culpeper Court-House.

No. 12.-Lieutenant Jacob H. Counselman, Battery K, First U. S. Artillery.

No. 13.-Lieutenant William D. Fuller, Battery C, Third U. S. Artillery.

No. 14.-Major General Gouverneur K. Warren, U. S. Army, commanding Second Army Corps.

No. 15.-General Robert E. Lee, C. S. Army, commanding Army of Northern Virginia.

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*See also Meade's report, p.8, and Lieutenant Colonel T. H. Carter's report, on the Bristoe Campaign, p.422, and correspondence, September 15-19, between Meade and Halleck, Part II, pp.186,187,195,201,202,206.

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