HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY BRIGADE,
Near Falls Church, Va., August 21, 1864.

Lieutenant Colonel J. H. TAYLOR,

Chief of Staff and Assistant Adjutant-General:

COLONEL: In reply to the communication from the major-general commanding, requesting a more definite statement concerning the information sent to your headquarters, I have the honor to inform you that the strength of the enemy in Culpeper and Warrenton and their movements were ascertained from a citizen who left Culpeper on Tuesday last. He reports a whole division at Culpeper and 2,500 infantry, besides cavalry, at Warrenton; that relative to the use of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad and the force at Culpeper was obtained from Elkton, from several citizens who talked freely to our men, under the impression that they were rebels, as they were disguised; that that concerning Kincheloe was obtained from one of his own men captured. I regard all the above as reliable. The Thirteenth New York will leave to-morrow morning. They are unable to leave sooner owing to their horses not being shod. Please see communication inclosed.*

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. M. LAZELLE,

Colonel Sixteenth New York Cavalry, Comdg. Cavalry Brigade.

HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY BRIGADE,
Near Falls Church, Va., August 21, 1864.

Lieutenant Colonel J. H. TAYLOR,

Chief of Staff and Assistant Adjutant-General:

COLONEL: I have the honor to report all quiet in this vicinity. Beyond this I have nothing to report.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. M. LAZELLE,

Colonel Sixteenth New York Cavalry, Comdg. Cavalry Brigade.

HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION,
August 21, 1864-3 p.m.

Colonel CURRIE,

Commanding Brigade, Nineteenth Corps:

COLONEL: The major-general commanding directs that you will report to General Stevenson, commanding at Bolivar Heights, with your brigade; also that you will gather together and organize any stragglers that may come into that point.

Very respectfully,

F. C. NEWHALL,

Major and Aide-de-Camp.

HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY, MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION,
Charlestown, W. Va., August 21, 1864.

Brigadier General W. MERRITT,

Commanding First Division:

GENERAL: You will move your division back at once to Rippon and take up a line between this place and Bullskin Run. Dispose Colonel

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*Not found.

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