HDQRS. FOURTH DIV., DEPT. OF WEST VIRGINIA,
Martinsburg, March 15, 1864.

Major General F. SIGEL,

Commanding department, Cumberland:

there scouting parties have been sent out to-day, one to Bloomery Gap, to return via Pughtown and Mills' Gap; another to Pughtown and 10 miles beyond, to return via Winchester, and one to Smith-field, bunker Hill, &c. No news since morning.

WM. W. AVERELL,

Brigadier-General.

I send Captain Rumsey to-night to you with information and papers.

WM. W. AVERELL,

Brigadier-General.

HDQRS. FOURTH DIV., DEPT. OF WEST VIRGINIA,
Martinsburg, March 15, 1864.

Brigadier-General SULLIVAN,

Commanding, Harper's Ferry:

From department headquarters, Special Orders, Numbers 49, places me in command of the cavalry of the First and Fourth Divisions. Will you please inform me what cavalry you have and where it is?

Will you also please inform me by letter what duties have ordinarily been devoloved upon our cavalry, and your views as to positions, pickets, and the enemy, recent and probable operations in future?

WM. W. AVERELL,

Brigadier-General.

Please give me your latest information from up the valley.

WM. W. AVERELL,

Brigadier-General.

CUMBERLAND, March 15, 1864.

Brigadier-General SULLIVAN,

Harper's Ferry:

Your telegraph of this evening, referring to probable movement of the enemy, received. The general commanding requests that you communicate this and other information of similar character received by you to Brigadier-General Averell, at Martinsburg, as well as to these headquarters.

By order of Major General F. Sigel:

T. MELVIN,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

GENERAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. MID. DEPT., 8TH ARMY CORPS, Numbers 11.
Baltimore, Md., March 15, 1864.

I. Whereas by an act of Congress approved July 17, 1862, the President of the United States was authorized to receive into the service of the United States for any military or naval service for which they may be found competent persons of African desent;