WASHINGTON, July 31, 1864-2. 20 p. m.

(Received 3 p. m.)

Brigadier-General KELLEY, Cumberland, Md.:

It is reported that enemy's is moving west by Hancock and Bedford. Every effort must be made to secure Cumberland and New Creek, and men should be sent out to cut trees, destroy bridges, and block up the roads so as to retard enemy's advance.

H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.

CUMBERLAND, MD., July 31, 1864.

(Received 6 p. m.)

Major-General HALLECK, Chief of Staff:

Your telegram received. Your orders will be carried out. Large force is reported at Hancock this evening. It may possibly be McCausland's force that Averell is driving back and that they will cross the river at that point. I cannot hear of any force coming via Bedford.

B. F. KELLEY,

Brigadier-General.

(Copy to Lieutenant-General Grant.)

CUMBERLAND, July 31, 1864-9 a. m.

Captain MELVIN,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Harper's Ferry:

No movement in force has been developed in this direction yet. McNeill crossed the railroad and river night before last between Patterson's Creek and Green Spring, and robbed the stores in Old Town; retreated without doing any damage to railroad. We are still running trains as far east as Hancock. I expect the One hundred and fifty-sixth Ohio National Guard to-day. It is reported that Imboden's force is in Moorefield. I do not regard it as reliable Please keep me advised.

B. F. KELLEY,

Brigadier-General.

CUMBERLAND, July 31, 1864-10 p. m.

Captain MELVIN,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Harper's Ferry:

A rebel force is reported at Hancock this evening moving this way. I am blockading the turnpike east of this point to-night, so as to delay them as long as possible. The One hundred and fifty-sixth Ohio arrived here to-day.

B. F. KELLEY,

Brigadier-General.

McCONNELLSBURG, PA., July 31, 1864.

(Received 11. 30 a. m.)

Brigadier-General KELLEY:

I have overtaken McCausland and Johnson at this place, and am pressing them toward Hancock. While my force was checking