connection, if possible. Move out as far on the Back and Middle roads as you can and until stopped by a superior force. It is important to know as soon as possible whether the left of the enemy's infantry can be forced. Communicate frequently with headquarters of the army, which is on the pike near Cedar Creek.

TORBERT,

General.

HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION,
Strasburg, September 21, 1864.

Brevet Major-General AVERELL,

Commanding Cavalry Division:

GENERAL: Your dispatch* of 9 p. m. received. The major-general commanding directs that you push on the enemy's pickets at daylight in the morning and remain there. Brevet Major-General Crook's command will go in on the right in the morning.

Very respectfully, &c.,

JAS. W. FORSYTH,

Lieutenant-Colonel and Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD CAVALRY DIVISION,
Front Royal, Va., September 21, 1864-7.30 a. m.

Colonel J. W. FORSYTH, Chief of Staff:

I have driven the enemy's cavalry out of this place. Wickham's brigade retreating up the valley. I learn from reliable sources that Anderson's division of infantry crossed at Buckton and went on up the valley, crossing the South Fork at McCoy's Ford, eight miles from here. I believe this perfectly reliable, and shall push on to see. The force which crossed were said to be "crossing all day." I will send more definite information as soon as it can be got.

J. H. WILSON,

Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY, MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION,
September 21, 1864-9 p. m.

General WILSON, Third Division:

GENERAL: I am instructed by the chief of cavalry to say that General Custer, with his brigade, will cross at the ford near his place-Front Royal-so as to be able to cross the river again at McCoy's For at daylight. He desires you to keep a sharp ear for his guns, and also wishes you to attack by daylight.

I am, general, very respectfully, &c.,

WM. RUSSELL, JR.,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HARPER'S FERRY, W. VA., September 21, 1864-8 a. m.

Honorable E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War:

Reliable news from front. Our army was crossing Cedar Creek yesterday at 3 p. m. No fighting. The following list of rebel generals killed and wounded is correct: Generals Rodes, Ramseur,

Gordon,

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*Not found.

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