HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA, Cedar Creek, Va., May 21, 1864.

Colonel GEORGE D. WELLS,
Commanding Advance Detachment:

COLONEL: The major-general commanding desires you to send a strong scouting party of infantry to a point where Powell's Big Fort Valley can be observed, and, if necessary, to go into valley as far south as they can go with safety.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

[P. G. BIER,]

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS ADVANCE, May 21, 1864.

[Captain PHILIP G. BIER,
Assistant Adjutant-General:]

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to state that I have received dispatch requesting me to send a strong scouting party of infantry to Powell's Fort Valley. The fords are impassable for infantry, and I think for cavalry. Captain Ellicott started with fifty cavalry for that point this morning. He was unable to cross at Banks' Ford, and left there for a ford farther up stream, in order to cross if possible, since which time I have not heard from him. There is no possible mode of crossing infantry, except by a small skiff,which will carry but a few men. If the cavalry have been able to cross, they are there by this time. Under these circumstances, I have deemed it proper to delay attempting to cross the men in the skiff until the facts can be stated to the commanding general.

I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,

GEO. D. WELLS,

Colonel, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS ADVANCE DETACHMENT, Near Strasburg, Va., May 21, 1864.

Captain P. G. BIER,
Assistant Adjutant-General:

CAPTAIN: Will you be kind enough to inform me whether it is intended that I shall occupy Round Top hill to-morrow or this morning?

I am,very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. D. WELLS,

Colonel Thirty-fourth Mass. Infy., Commanding Advance Detach.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA, Near Strasburg, Va., May 21, 1864.

Colonel GEORGE D. WELLS,

Commanding Advance, Valley Pile:

COLONEL: The commanding general directs me to inform you that you will not occupy Round Top hill again until you receive further orders to do so.

I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

[P. G. BIER,]

Assistant Adjutant-General.