enable me to have a reserve force to explore the front of the picket-line and break up the rendezvous of the bushwhackers. I have not yet heard from Sycamore Church, and presume that everything is quiet in that vicinity.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

AUGUST V. KAUTZ,

Brigadier-General, Commanding Division.

HDQRS. FIRST DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CAVALRY,
Sycamore Church, Va., September 4, 1864.

[Colonel S. P. SPEAR:]

COLONEL: I have the honor to state that from indications I am led to believe that the rebels are in some force in our front. They frequently pass around our left in small parties below Cocke's Mill, getting in our rear.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. S. BAKER,

Major, Commanding.

[First indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS SECOND CAVALRY BRIGADE,
Olive Branch Church, September 4, 1864.

Respectfully forwarded for the information of the commanding general.

I have instructed Major J. S. Baker to use every precaution to prevent surprise, and to watch closely and obtain, if possible, information as to the force of the enemy.

SAM. WETHERILL,

Major Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, Commanding Brigade.

[Second indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY DIVISION,
September 4, 1864-7 p.m.

Respectfully referred to General Gregg.

Reports from other portions of the line report all quiet. I cannot re-enforce Major Baker without abandoning other portions of the line.

Very respectfully, &c.,

AUGUST V. KAUTZ,

Brigadier-General.

[Third indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS SECOND DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS,
September 4, 1864-9 p.m.

Respectfully forwarded for the information of the major-general commanding.

I have ordered a regiment of General Kautz, picketing between the plank road and Norfolk railroad, to be relieved by one of the Second Division, that General Kautz may send his regiment to support his pickets at Sycamore Church.

D. McM. GREGG,

Brigadier-General of Volunteers, Commanding Second Division.