another, have fired on my guards several times, and last night were detected in attempting to remove a rail near Fairfax Station. This can only be stopped in one way-that is, by placing on the trains prominent secessionists and captured guerrillas. I ask permission to arrest twenty of those in Alexandria, to be used in this manner; also the privilege of using the captured guerrillas now here in the same way. Please answer.

Respectfully,

JNO. C. SLOUGH,

Brigadier-General of Volunteers.

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY GOVERNOR,
Alexandria, Va., October 16, 1864. (Received 5.30 p.m.)

ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL,

Headquarters Department of Washington:

SIR: Nothing to report this evening, except that last night an attempt was made to displace a rail near Fairfax Station by guerrillas.

Respectfully,

JNO. P. SLOUGH,

Brigadier-General of Volunteers.

HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION,
October 16, 1864.

Major General P. H. SHERIDAN,

Commanding Middle Military Division:

GENERAL: I inclose you dispatch which explains itself. If the enemy should be strongly re-enforced in cavalry, he might, by returning our right, give us a great deal of trouble. I shall hold on here until the enemy's movements are developed, and shall only fear an attack on my right, which I shall make every preparation for guarding against and resisting.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. G. WRIGHT,

Major-General, Commanding.

[Inclosure.]

Lieutenant-General EARLY:

Be ready to move as soon as my forces join you and we will crush Sheridan.

LONGSTREET,

Lieutenant-General.

This message was taken off the rebel signal flag on Three-Top Mountain.

HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION,
Front Royal, October 16, 1864.

Major General H. G. WRIGHT,

Commanding Sixth Army Corps:

GENERAL: The cavalry is all ordered back to you; make your position strong. If Longstreet's dispatch is true, he is under the impression that we have largely detached. I will go over to Augur, and may