HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION,
Near Berryville, September 4, 1864.

Brigadier-General AVERELL,

Commanding Cavalry Division:

GENERAL: Your scout with dispatch, * dated 3 p. m. September 3, just received. The general commanding directs that you hold the roads in front of Darkesville. The enemy attacked Crook strongly at Beryville last night, and were repulsed badly; we captured over 100 prisoners; night is all that saved them. They came down for the purpose of cutting Tobert off at Berryville. Tobert will be back this morning.

Very respectfully,

JAS. W. FORSYTH,

Lieutenant-Colonel and Chief of Staff.

P. S.-The general desires frequent reports.

JAS. W. FORSYTH,

Lieutenant-Colonel.

[SEPTEMBER 4, 1864.-For Sheridan to Avarell, ordering the latter to cover Smithfield roads, &c., see Part I, p. 504.]

GENERAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. SD CAV. DIV., DEPT. OF W. VA., No. 28. Bunker Hill, September 4, 1864.

1. The general commanding has learned that nearly 300 men of this command have been sent to Martinsburg and have straggled from the command within the last two days. Hereafter no man whatever will be allowed to leave the command for reason whatever, unless the passes are countersigned at these headquarters. Brigade commands will be held responsible that there are no stragglers from their commands. Surgeons will not send men to the rear unless they are allowed to do so by the acting medical director of the division. This order will be read to each regiment at once.

By ordered Brigadier-General Avarell:

WILL RUMSEY,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF WEST VIRGINIA,
Berryville, September 4, 1864.

Brigadier-General SULLIVAN:

General Duffie will send one regiment to you at once. You will immediately concentrate your forces and fight the enemy in your front. Order up the convalescents from Gallipolis.

By command of Brevet Major-General Crook:

P. G. BIER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

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* Not found.

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