HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION,
August 28, 1864

Brigadier-General STEVENSON,

Commanding District of Harper's Ferry:

GENERAL: I have detailed Colonel Currie to report to you with his brigade. Move from his present position to Bolivar Heights. I will move out to-day. General Torbert has ordered a regiment of cavalry to report to you. Send me promptly all dispatches. All telegraph dispatches should be duplicated and forwarded at different times.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

P. H. SHERIDAN

Major-General, Commanding.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington City, August 28, 1864-10 p.m.

Brigadier-General STEVENSON, Harper's Ferry:

The following dispatches have just been received from Darnestown. Please forward to General Sheridan:

DARNESTOWN, August 28, 1864-12 m. (Received 9 p.m.)

Major ECKERT:

One of Major Fry's men, just in from Poolesville, reports rebels across and advancing toward this place. Does not know their force, but saw heavy skirmish line. Was twice fired on.

S. K. RUPLEY,

Operator U. S. Military Telegraph.,

DARNESTOWN, August 28, 1864

I think the man (he belongs to the Thirteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry) has exaggerated; but no doubt a small force is this side of the river plundering. They were in Poolesville last night. Mr. Brewer, residing near mouth of Monocacy, advised some of his neighbors to take grain, &c., to Washington, as there would be some excitement in that section to-night. Don't think they will come this far, but Major Waite has been advised and will keep watch.

RUPLEY,

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA,
Halltown, W. Va., August 28, 1864

Brigadier General A. N. DUFFIE,

Commanding First Cavalry Division:

GENERAL: The commanding general directs that you proceed at once to Cumberland, Md., as directed in paragraph 2, Special Orders, No. 154, current series, from these headquarters.

I have the honor to be, general, &c.,

P. G. BIER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS FIRST CAVALRY DIVISION,
DEPARTMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA,

Point of Rocks, Md., August 28, 1864.

Colonel JOHN E. WYNKOOP

Commanding Dismounted Cavalry, Harper's Ferry, W. Va.,:

COLONEL: You will please report at these headquarters with all the men belonging to this division under your command, or whom you can