Shaw, in charge of the construction of block-houses. Any officer who does not at once comply with this order will be sent to these headquarters under arrest. Acknowledge receipt.

By order of Major-General Sigel:

T. A. MEYSENBURG,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

CUMBERLAND, July 14, 1864-12 m.

Colonel STOUGH,

Paw Paw (via Numbers 12):

McNeil is reported to be between Romney and Bloomery. Be on the alert; advise your different posts by messenger at once. The iron-clads have been ordered up.

B. F. KELLEY,

Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS,
Cumberland, July 14, 1864.

Colonel F. W. THOMPSON,

Sixth West Virginia Cavalry, North Branch Bridge:

The general commanding directs that you hold your command in readiness to move at once. McNeil with two companies is at Romney preparing for an attack on some point on the road. You will send a portion of your force to Patterson's Creek immediately and be prepared to defend both that point and North Branch bridge. A force of infantry is en route from here to join you at North Branch.

By order of Brigadier-General Kelley:

C. A. FREEMAN,

Lieutenant and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

CUMBERLAND, July 14, 1864.

Captain PETRIE,

Martinsburg:

Move back to South Branch bridge as soon as arrangements can be made to run in safety. McNeill is in the neighborhood.

B. F. KELLEY,

Brigadier-General.

BALTIMORE, July 14, 1864-9 a. m. (Received 11. 10 a. m.)

Honorable EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

Yesterday and day before enemy's guerrillas moved by squads toward Potomac, above Georgetown. But little damage done by them to property or persons, except passengers on cars robbed, and horses taken wherever found. I found great panic and much confusion. Sent parties in every direction. They were new troops, and felt weak, and would come back on rumors. The rebel infantry which threatened Washington was Early's (late Ewell's) and Breckinridge's

21 R R-VOL XXXVII, PT II