HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS,
September 1, 1864-8 p. m.

General GEORGE H. CHAPMAN,

Commanding Second Brigade:

GENERAL: General Merritt is going to send a regiment across our front and the Front Royal to reach the Valley pike. You will, therefore, send one regiment front your brigade by the Stone Church to the Millwood and Winchester pike, and instructed the commanding officer to make a vigorous push along that road toward Winchester, going to and beyond, if possible, the Opequon. After reaching the nearest point to Winchester of penetrating to the Valley pike and obtaining some precise and definite information of the enemy's movements and intentions.

By command of Brigadier-General Wilson:

L. SIEBERT,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. MILITARY DISTRICT OF HARPER'S FERRY,
September 1, 1864-Evening, near 8 o'clock.

(Received 8.15 p. m.)

E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

Have just returned from front. The enemy yesterday evening drove Averell from Martinsburg, then retired in direction of Bunder Hill. Yesterday evening and to-day they were found in force between Berrywille and Winchester. The best information to be obtained at front indicates the enemy still in force at Bunker Hill. There is no evidence of their having retired any of their forces down the Valley, except through rebel sources.

The developments of the cavalry on both flanks last night and to-day controverts the conclusion that the enemy are giving up the Valley. Torbert is pressing his reconnaissance in the direction of Winchester this evening,the enemy holding the opposite side of the opequon Creek in force.

JOHN D. STEVENSON,

Brigadier-General.

GENERAL ORDERS,] HDQRS. DEPT. OF WEST VIRGINIA, No. 70. Charlestown, W. Va., September 1, 1864.

In obedience to General Orders, No. 248, current series, War Department, Adjutant-General's Office, the undersigned hereby assumes command of the Department of west Virginia.

GEORGE CROOK,

Brevet Major-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEPT. OF WEST VIRGINIA, No. 160. Charlestown, W. Va., September 1, 1864.

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6. Captain G. A. Gordon, second U. S. Cavalry, having report to these headquarters, in obedience to orders from the War department, for assignment to duty as special inspector of cavalry for the department, is hereby announced as such, and will, after the completion of his present duties at Harter's Ferry, W. Va., proceed to Cumberland,