HARPER'S FERRY, July 26, 1864.

Brigadier General W. W. AVERELL,

Commanding Cavalry, Hagerstown:

General Hunter directs that you picket the river from Hancock to Shepherdstown. General Duffie is ordered with me toward Poolesville, there to form a junction with General Wright. What will be done then time will develop.

Yours, very respectfully,

GEORGE CROOK,

Brevet Major-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF KANAWHA,
DEPARTMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA, Numbers -.
July 26, 1864.

The First and Second Cavalry Divisions, under Brigadier-Generals Averell and Duffie, will be left to picket the fords on the Potomac River. General Averell will picket the fords from Downsville up the river as far as there is any probability of the enemy's crossing; headquarters at or near Hagerstown. General Duffie will picket the fords from Downsville down the river as far as Harper's Ferry; headquarters at or near Sharpsburg.

By command of Bvt. Major General George Crook:

[JAS. L. BOTSFORD,]

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF HARPER'S FERRY,
Harper's Ferry, July 26, 1864.

COMMANDING OFFICER LOUDOUN RANGERS,

Point of Rocks:

Proceed with all of your command to Edwards Ferry, cross the river at that point, and move to Hillsborough. Gain what information you can with reference to any enemy being between the Bull Run and South Mountains, and report it to these headquarters as soon as practicable. Answer the receipt of this order.

A. P. HOWE,

Brigadier-General.

HDQRS. INDEPENDENT LOUDOUN VIRGINIA RANGERS,
Point of Rocks, July 26, 1864.

Brigadier-General HOWE, Commanding:

My command, agreeably to your order, left this place at 5. 30 p. m.

DANL. M. KEYES,

Captain, Commanding.

WASHINGTON, July 26, 1864-12. 30 p. m.

General KELLEY, Cumberland, Md.:

General Heintzelman has been directed to give you all the assistance possible from his department.

H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.