McCLELLAN'S LOOKOUT, August 26, 1864.

(Received 12.45 p.m.)

Lieutenant Colonel J. W. FORSYTH:

Lieutenant Hall reports that he can see no rebels in Shepherdstown no. Our cavalry left Sharpsburg at 11 a.m. on the road to Harper's Ferry.

ELLIS,

Lieutenant.

[Indorsement.]

Respectfully refered to Brigadier-General Torbert.

This cavalry must be Custer's brigade. Where did your order it?

P. H. SHERIDAN,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS,
August 26, 1864-6 a.m.

General MERRITT,

Commanding First Division:

GENERAL: Have you heard anything of General Custer and brigade and First New York? What news from the reconnaissance you were directed to send toward Shepherdstown this morning on the road we came yesterday? General Sheridan is anxious to know whether their infantry are where we left them near the brick church.

Yours, &c.,

A. T. A. TORBERT,

Brigadier-General of Volunteers.

AUGUST 26, 1864-7.05 p.m.

Brigadier-General MERRITT,

Commanding Division:

GENERAL: No report whatever has been sent from these headquarters, as everything was quiet and is quiet. Not a single shot has been fired to day by my pickets. My line extends from the river to the right of Colonel Gibbs, well connecting with him. I would have sent, as usual, the report of the picket, even when nothing occurred, but I was inspecting the line myself and it kept me nearly all day out of camp.

Very respectfully, yours,

DI CESNOLA,

Colonel, Commanding Second Brigade.

HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY, MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION,
Near Halltown, August 26, 1864.

Brigadier-General CUSTER,

Commanding First Brigade:

GENERAL: The chief of cavalry directs that you move your brigade and the First New York Dragoons (as soon as General Wilson's division arrives at Shepherdstown Ford) to Antietam Ford, or to a good