to Williamsport, and with directions for one to establish a station at Fairview. Let a station be established on Maryland Heights. I would suggest that a brigade of cavalry be sent to Shepherdstown, with some artillery.

Answer.

WM. W. AVERELL,

Brigadier-General.

[AUGUST 18, 1864.-For Forsyth to Averell, directing movements of Averell's command to north side of the Potomac, &c., see p.501.]

HARPER'S FERRY, August 18, 1864.

Brigadier-General AVERELL:

Major-General Sheridan directs [me] to notify you that our cavalry at Winchester had to fall back to Summit Point, and orders that you move your command to the north side of the Potomac, if necessary, and cover the country from Sharpsburg to Williamsport. Answer.

JOHN D. STEVENSON,

Brigadier-General.

MARTINSBURG, August 18, 1864.

General STEVENSON:

Nothing seen or heard of the enemy in Back Creek Valley, Bunker Hill, or Gerrardstown. Please send this to General Sheridan.

WM. W. AVERELL,

Brigadier-General.

Brigadier-General DUFFIE,

Charlestown, W. Va.:

Please forward this to General Sheridan.

JOHN D. STEVENSON,

Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND CAVALRY DIVISION, Shepherdstown, August 18, 1864.

Brigadier General J. D. STEVENSON:

GENERAL: Please communicate the following to General Sheridan as promptly as possible and be good enough to send me his reply:

Received an order from Reno this morning to fall back to Charlestown. On the way received a communication from General Torbert requesting me to occupy Smithfield and Bunker Hill. When near Leetown received dispatch from General Sheridan to cross the Potomac, if necessary, and cover the river from Williamsport to Shepherdstown. My command is now near Shepherdstown, with pickets at Martinsburg, Williamson's Cross-Roads, and Kearneysville, Gerrardstown, Bunker Hill, and Leetown. I should be glad to be informed of the condition of affairs in front in order to determine my course.

WM. W. AVERELL,
Brigadier-General.