move one brigade to their old position on the Berryville and Charlestown pike, and one brigade close to Berryville, on the Berryville and Winchester pike. Also keep parties on the roads toward Snicker's Gap and Millwood, and toward Winchester, occasionally going as far as the Opequon.

Very respectfully, &c.,

WM. RUSSELL, JR.,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD CAVALRY DIVISION,
September 8, 1864.

Captain M. A. RENO,

Chief of Staff, Cavalry Forces, Middle Military Division:

CAPTAIN: The patrol sent this afternoon to Limestone Ridge found the enemy in possession with a strong picket-line.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. H. WILSON,

Brigadier-General, Commanding Division.

Everything quiet elsewhere.

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DISTRICT OF HARPER'S FERRY,
September 8, 1864 - 9 p. m. (Received 10.30 p. m.)

Honorable E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

My information from front is as late as 3 o'clock this evening. Reconnaissance of yesterday and this morning show the enemy still confronting General Sheridan. They had retired their pickets from the immediate front of our army, but upon crossing the Opequon Creek a heavy line of skirmishers was soon met. The movements of the enemy seem to be to our left.* General Sheridan passed Crook's corps from left to right to meet their new disposition. Our infantry, right resting on Summit Point, with cavalry extending to Darkesville, on Martinsburg pike, to which point Averell is reported to have fallen back. Of this reported movement of Averell's I have no positive information, but believe it to be true. So far from Early retiring, the indications are that he adheres to the purpose of holding this end of the Valley at least, if he does not propose a raid north of the Potomac.

Respectfully,

JNO. D. STEVENSON,

Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DISTRICT OF HARPER'S FERRY,
Harper's Ferry, September 8, 1864.

Major General P. H. SHERIDAN,

Commanding Middle Military Division:

GENERAL: The position of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad sent up to-day a construction train with laborers, to put in running order the road to martinsburg. I furnished ample guard for train immediately, and dispatched them at 2 p. m. to commence repairs. Without

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* See correction, p. 60.

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