HEADQUARTERS SECOND CAVALRY DIVISION,
DEPARTMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA,

Bunker Hill, September 6, 1864-8.25 p. m.

Major-General SHERIDAN:

GENERAL: The following dispatch has just been received from the commanding officer at Smithfield:

HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-FIFTH NEW YORK CAVALRY,
Smithfield, v., September [6], 1864.

MAJOR: The rebels have formed a skirmish-line on my left and this side of the Opequon, following up a scouting party who were out by Second brigade of Cavalry. They have not yet attached us.

Yours respectfully,

C. J. SEYMOUR,

Major, Commanding.

WM. W. AVARELL,

Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION,
September 6, 1864-9 p. m.

Brigadier General W. W. AVARELL,

Commanding Cavalry Division:

GENERAL: Your note * of last night received. The Ninth New York Cavalry reported they opened communication with you yesterday afternoon. Your falling back to Bunker Hill is all right; I cannot think, however, that there was a rebel division of infantry in your front. I have directed the railroad to be repaired from Harper's Ferry to Martinsburg. General Merritt is nearest to you and will instructed to communicate.

Respectfully,

P. H. SHERIDAN,

Major-General, Commanding.

MARTINSBURG, September 6, 1864.

(Received 1.25 p. m.)

General KELLEY,

Petersburg:

Yesterday General Avarell ran into a heavy column of rebel infantry near Winchester, and was compelled to fall back to Bunker Hill, where he was this a. m. Nothing further from him. Everything quiet this a. m.

BRENAMANB,

Operator.

GENERAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEPT. OR THE SUSQUEHANNA, No. 50. Chambersburg, Pa., September 6, 1864.

That portion of the Department of the Susquehanna lying between the Laurel Hill range of mountains on the west, and the Williamsport

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* Not found.

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