GENERAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEPT. OF WEST VIRGINIA, No. 75. Harrisonburg, Va., September 28, 1864.

I. The troops now serving in the Valley of the Kanawha will constitute the First Separate Brigade of this department.

II. Brigadier General J. C. Sullivan, U. S. Volunteers, is hereby assigned to the command of the First Separate Brigade.

By order of Brevet Major-General Crook:

P. G. BIER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

CINCINNATI, OHIO, September 28, 1864.

His Excellency ABRAHAM LINCOLN,

President of the United States:

DEAR SIR: You will please allow me to call your attention to the fact that Colonel R. B. Hayes, of this city, now under Sheridan, had well and faithfully served his country for near three years. His friends have nominated him in the Second District (Long's) for Congress. His elections not certain. Is it not due to him, as well as politic in aid of his election, to promote him to a brigadier-general? He is a first-class man in every respect.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

EDGAR CONKLING.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA,
Harrisonburg, Va., September 28, 1864.

Brigadier-General DUFFIE,

Commanding First Cavalry Division, Cumberland, Md.:

The commanding general directs that you have men armed at once and sent to Green Spring Run. Such excuses as no arms or equipments can not be taken.

P. G. BIER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

CUMBERLAND, MD., September 28, 1864.

(Received 3 p. m.)

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

Chief of Staff:

As I cannot communicate readily with General Crook, I deem it my duty to advise you of the status of affairs in West Virginia. A rebel force, estimated at 600 or 700 mounted men, came through Braxton County and occupied Weston and Buckhannon yesterday. The small force at Buckhannon fell back on Beverly. It was also reported last night that a force occupied the Beverly and Philippi pike a few miles above the latter place. This movement would seem to indicate that it is the intention of the enemy to attempt the capture of the force at Beverly, consisting of about 400 men of the Eighth Ohio Cavalry. I have concentrated all the force available in my command for the protection of Clarksburg and Grafton. At these points is a