BALTIMORE, MD., October 9, 1864-4 p.m.

(Received 4.30 p.m.)

Major-General HALLECK:

General Tyler reports:

The thieving devils at Sandy Spring, twenty-fours hours before receiving orders. Two of the thieves were captured and one killed by the citizens. Four pieces of artillery, with twenty-five cavalry, had reached Rockville. Colonel Knight's cavalry had not reached there at 2 this a.m. Have sent couriers in all directions to hurry up Knight.

SAML. B. LAWRENCE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

BALTIMORE, MD., October 9, 1864-10.30 p.m.

(Received 11.15 p.m.)

Major-General HALLECK,

Chief of Staff:

General Tyler that Knight's cavalry was at Nealsville at 3 p.m. to-day, and scouts out toward the river. No enemy discovered. Smith's cavalry will reach Rockville before morning, and he is no longer uneasy about the artillery. Knight caught two of the thieves who were at Sandy Spring. Knight is ordered to join Smith at Rockville at once.

SAML. B. LAWRENCE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

BALTIMORE, MD., October 9, 1864.

Brigadier General E. B. TYLER,

Relay House, Baltimore and Ohio Railroad:

Will try and send the harness. Please report as soon as you hear that the cavalry has reached Rockville. The battery will, of course, be much exposed until then.

SAML. B. LAWRENCE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

RELAY HOUSE, October 9, 1864.

Lieutenant-Colonel LAWRENCE:

Smith's cavalry will reach Rockville some time to-night.

E. B. TYLER,

Brigadier-General.

HDQRS. FIRST SEPARATE BRIGADIER, EIGHTH ARMY CORPS,
Relay House, Md., October 9, 1864.

Lieutenant Colonel SAMUEL B. LAWRENCE,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Eighth Army Corps:

COLONEL: The following telegram was received at 6 p.m. from Lieutenant-Colonel Knight:

HEADQUARTERS FIRST DELAWARE CAVALRY,
Nealsville, Md., Sunday, October 9, 1864-3 p.m.

Brigadier General E. B. TYLER:

I have just received your orders. I will send a sufficient force to Rank, at Rockville, at once. The citizens of Sandy Spring armed and attacked the hand of fifteen